The Ayrlington is on one of Bath’s main tourist thoroughfares and has been sold by sector experts at Colliers International at a figure well above the £2.5m asking price.
Hotels director Simon Wells said the well-known 16-bedroom B&B hotel had attracted considerable interest and triggered brisk bidding, before selling to an Italian investor who already owns one hotel in the city.
Previous owners Ling and Simon Roper had bought the hotel in 2000 and launched an immediate refurbishment programme. Mrs Roper has now bought the nearby Apple Tree B&B, which she is planning to launch in time for the Easter break, and said: “There was quite a lot of interest in the Ayrlington and the market is clearly picking up largely thanks to a good mix of UK and international visitors.”
Mrs Roper commented that improved flight availability to and from Bristol Airport had also contributed to the recovery within the West tourism sector – with a marked increase in visitors from Germany.
Colliers International Hotels director Simon Wells said last year’s improved summer weather had signalled a significant upturn in business for the popular city centre hotel.