Doyle Hotel Group hopeful for 2011

THIS year is expected to be better than last for the Doyle Hotel Group, but its chief executive said things are still “extremely difficult” in the hospitality sector.

Bill Walsh also said that the company’s hotels in Britain and the US are performing well, adding that the group is not planning any expansion and is concentrating on the hotels it currently has in its collection.

“It’s too early to say how 2011 will go for us but we are hoping it will be a better year than last year,” said Mr Walsh.

He added that it is too early to talk about stabilisation in the market in Britain and the US, but said there should be a boost from the London Olympics.

He also said that there is “no immediate indication” that prices are going to increase in Ireland, adding that prices are “extremely low” at the moment.

A report from Hotels.com found that rates at Irish hotels have fallen 4% year-on-year.

The average room rate in Ireland is now €79 compared to €82 in 2009, making Ireland the least expensive destination in Western Europe.

In a bid to lure more customers the hotel group has joined an alliance which is offering perks, such as a free hot air balloon ride over Sydney Harbour, or a horse drawn carriage tour through Dublin.

The Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels, is offering customers a range of “experiences” when they check into partner hotels. The levels range from gold to black. A person must stay in an alliance hotel 30 times over a year to qualify for the black level and can then avail of a private cruise in a former presidential yacht, a helicopter tour over the LA skyline or develop their own customised ring tone at Microsoft Studios in Seattle.

“The programme means that our regular guests who enjoy our personalised service can be sure that no matter where they stay in the world, whether it is with The Doyle Collection or any other GHA brand, then it will meet all of the high service standards that they are accustomed to receiving when staying with The Doyle Collection,” said Mr Walshe.

The €200 million rebranding and refurbishment programme which the Doyle Hotel group embarked on more than two years ago is going well, according to Mr Walshe.

Jurys Doyle Hotel Group was taken private in 2005 for €1.1 billion, while Quinlan Private acquired Jurys Inns for €1.2bn in 2007. The Westbury, The Croke Park Hotel and The River Lee Hotel in Cork are all part of the Doyle Collection.