Located on the Wild Atlantic Way in Glengarriff, West Cork, the esteemed Eccles Hotel and Spa is currently on the market for a projected fee of €5 million. Agent CBRE is at the helm of the sale, a notable venture given the property’s historical stature. Erected as one of the premier purpose-built hotels in Ireland, the Eccles Hotel first opened its doors in 1745.
In the course of its considerable history, the hotel has emerged as a preferred locale for both local and foreign tourists. Its guest book boasts the names of renowned personalities such as playwright George Bernard Shaw, who was reported to have produced a considerable amount of his works during his stay in 1910/11. Eminent poet William Butler Yeats was also a frequent guest, particularly in the 1920s. More contemporary visitors include Pippa Middleton, sister to the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. She spent time at the hotel while attending her close friend Camilla Campion-Awwad’s wedding.
Offering captivating views of the sea, the Eccles Hotel and Spa is conspicuously situated on the Atlantic Way, roughly 90km away from the core of Cork city. The property is home to a wide range of amenities – 59 spacious and recently renovated rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, conference and banqueting services, spa with three treatment rooms, and wedding facilities. Even with extensive regeneration and enhancement carried out, including introduction of new bathrooms in all rooms, the selling agent attests to the potential for additional rooms subject to securing planning permission.
The hotel is nestled in the bustling village of Glengarriff, presenting visitors with the chance to delve into local commerce, engage in diverse recreational activities like kayaking, boat tours and hiking, and discover the nearby Garnish Island, Glengarriff Nature Reserve, and the Beara Peninsula.
John Hughes, a director at CBRE’s hotel’s division, perceives the sale as a remarkable chance to purchase a historically significant hotel. According to him, with its recent refurbishments, the purchaser could significantly expand this well-established business.