Dublin hotels prices have soared to pre-recession prices for the upcoming busy weeks in July, as visitor numbers continue to match and surpass 2007 levels.
Room rates for some of the capital's most popular hotels have risen to €300 and above for the week ending 12 July, one of the busiest weeks for tourism on the calendar.
The Irish Times reports that a night in the five-star Merrion Hotel on Sunday 12 July is currently at €295, dropping to €250 the following day. The Marker Hotel (pictured) for the same day is at €349 while the Conrad Dublin is at €359.
Last month it was reported by hotel search site Trivago that hotel room prices in June were up 26 per cent compared to the previous year. It was the sixth highest increase across 50 European cities, with rooms costing an average of €167 a night.
Stephen McNally, president of the IHF, said: “Rates have gone up, certainly, but they fell very sharply during the bust and this is just a necessary correction.”
The lobby group explained that a huge demand for accommodation this week explained the premium prices, with many visitors expected from Northern Ireland due to a public holiday on 12 July and the hosting of the international molecular biology conference in the National Convention Centre.
