Hotel's €1 deal catches eye

RYANAIR-INSPIRED marketing techniques are being used by Lynch Hotels in a €1 a room offer — but there’s a catch.

Before you can have the room for €1 you must first book a room for two at the full rate and you get the second night free.

The hotel group’s website, lynchotels.com gives the game away when you try to book the €1 room.

“Simply pay €79 for the first night, which includes dinner, bed and full Irish breakfast next morning, and get your room on the second night for just €1. Breakfast on the second morning is at your discretion,” the website says.

So, in reality, it costs €40 a night for two nights plus dinner at any of the company’s 13 hotels on any night from Sunday to Thursday and there is some weekend availability.

The marketing drive described by the company as their “most aggressive” campaign of the year is part of their ongoing price promise promotion for summer 2003.

Commenting on the offer, Lynch Hotels’ group managing director, Michael B Lynch said: “As a 100% Irish-owned family-run company, we are committed to delivering value for money to our guests. This promotion will take effect when booking two nights at any of our 13 Lynch Hotels nationwide.

“The first night is available at our published rate based on two people sharing and the room on the second night will be charged at just €1,” he said.

The Lynch Hotel group markets itself as the leading Irish home holiday operator with 13 three and four star hotels and its strategy is to expand it business through acquisition and organically.

Lynch Hotels recently acquired the Green Isle Hotel at Newland’s Cross, Dublin for €11m.

The company has also recently completed the re-development of the 122- bedroom Lynch Breaffy House Hotel and Spa, Castlebar, Mayo, at a cost of €8m.