The Shelbourne Hotel, a prestigious five-star establishment, has been sold for a fee rumoured to be just shy of the €260 million valuation ascribed by Kennedy Wilson, the previous proprietor. The buyer is Archer Hotel Capital, which also possesses the Conrad Hotel in the vicinity of St Stephen’s Green, increasing its portfolio to 13 properties within Europe, with nearly 4,000 rooms. The selling price of the Shelbourne has sparked debates among the Irish hotel community, with queries being raised about Archer’s ability to generate enough revenue from the hotel to cover its costs. Though undoubtedly a valuable acquisition, the Shelbourne requires significant financial inputs to preserve its status as a five-star establishment, particularly considering the preservation demands of its 200-year-old listed building. Archer does have the advantage of being able to consolidate its resources as it owns two premium hotels within 500m of each other in Dublin. The recent easing of Covid-19 restrictions has led to a resurgence in Dublin’s hotel sector. The financial records of Kennedy Wilson revealed that the Shelbourne’s revenue grew by nearly 22% to $57.1 million (€52.9 million) last year, boosted by an increase in travel and a consequent rise in occupancy and daily rates. However, expenses also increased by 28% to $37.9 million. Archer’s aspirational purchase is beneficial to the Shelbourne’s employees as the company remains deeply invested in the hospitality industry. However, for patrons, this could potentially lead to a spike in prices, or a decline in service quality, as Archer endeavours to get a return on its substantial investment.