Limerick hotels cheapest in Ireland as first price rise in three years recorded

HOTEL prices rose 2% in the first half of this year, with Limerick now the least expensive destination in Ireland.

Wexford and Kilkenny are the most expensive locations at €104 per night while Cork has jumped ahead of Dublin, where prices rose 2% to €75 a night.

Prices in Cork are up 7% to €80 per night. Limerick has taken over from Waterford as the least expensive destination in Ireland at €63 per night.

The average price of a hotel room in Ireland is €81 as prices rose for the first time in three years.

Despite the small increase, Ireland has retained its title as least expensive destination in western Europe, according to the latest Hotels.com hotel price index.

Ireland is the fourth least expensive destination in Europe.

The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary are the only three destinations in Europe with average prices cheaper than Ireland.

Dublin hotel prices are now significantly lower than other capital cities such as London (€134), Paris (€114) and Vienna (€100).

Galway saw its prices dip 3% to an average of €96 while Cork’s rise in prices was in part attributed to the Live at the Marquee festival in June, which saw visitors travel to the city for the concerts.

There was also a 15.6% increase in overseas visitors to Ireland in the second quarter of the year.

Senior director at Hotels.com, Seamus MacCormaic, said the Irish market has benefited from a number of high-profile visits and events which took place in the first six months of the year, adding that it would appear we are seeing the market stabilising.

Mr MacCormaic added that “there is still great value to be had in the market.”

Switzerland is ranked as most expensive country in the world for hotel rooms, while Capri is the world’s most expensive destination. Political instability resulted in prices in Egypt dropping 25%.

Across the eurozone prices fell in Greece (-3%), Spain (-2%) and Portugal (-4%).

With its strong economy, Australia experienced a 12% rise in prices, bringing the average cost of a hotel room to €108 while in New Zealand there was an 11% jump in rates, with the average room rate now costing €73.