Ireland’s Hospitality Sector: Hotels, Bars and Restaurants Drive New Design & Supply Demand

Ireland’s hospitality sector is riding a much needed wave of expansion, especially in Dublin where the ratio between ‘number of bedrooms available’ versus ‘total visitor nights’: ‘shows that on a comparative basis Dublin has less hotel bed stock than the vast majority of European gateway cities.” With strong tourism recovery and rising guest expectations, the sector has clear opportunities for designers, operators and suppliers.

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A sector expanding whilst under pressure

More than 600 new hotel rooms were created last year alone in Dublin, with another 1500 expected to be completed this year. More international brands are as ever entering the market whilst domestic operators are refurbishing and repositioning their existing offer to keep up. We’re also seeing food and drink concepts becoming central to hotel brand identity.

At the same time, operational pressures remain high: staffing shortages, inflation in construction and maintenance costs as well as the challenges of sustainability, all loom large. As Pat McCann, CEO of Dalata, put it:

“My greatest challenge is to keep my mindset right. It is the one thing you have total control over… caring for your staff, customers and cashflow are the other critical factors.” (HospitalityNet interview, 2023)

This reality means there is a demand for products and interiors that are not only beautiful but durable and cost effective.

The Opportunities

Suppliers and designers are well placed to help hospitality operators respond to these challenges. The Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator highlights the importance of staff wellbeing as much as guest experience: “Hospitality is all about people. Dalata’s focus on ensuring we have the best people and that they are genuinely looked after gives us an edge in a competitive recruitment and retention market.” Meaning the interiors that make the work smoother for the staff such as, ergonomic furniture, easy-clean materials and efficient back of house design, provide the catalyst for a memorable guest experience.

Sustainability is another defining theme. A recent Irish hoteliers’ survey on “smart and green” hotels found:

“Most hoteliers were positively receptive towards ‘smart’ and ‘green’ hotels, but 60% noted that the cost of retrofitting a hotel is exceptionally high.” (MDPI Journal, 2023)

Here lies a gap for suppliers: retrofit-friendly products that reduce energy use without major disruption; modular furniture that extends life-cycle; eco-certified materials that still meet durability standards. The opportunity is clear for suppliers who can deliver sustainability without excessive cost.

Why it matters now

With record tourism, a pipeline of international openings and strong refurbishment activity, the sector is in no way slowing down, however the pressures mean operators are looking for partners who can solve problems, not just fill rooms. This is a chance to shape the future of Irish hospitality, one that balances memorable guest experiences with operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Be part of the conversation in Dublin

See the latest solutions, meet industry peers, and connect with suppliers and specifiers driving hospitality growth at Design Insider Live in Dublin.

Commercial Interiors UK / Design Insider Live, Dublin

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