The Ayrlington, one of Bath’s small, five-star hotels, has been sold for well above its £2.5m asking price in a move that demonstrates a strong recovery in the tourist business.
The 16-bedroom Ayrlington was bought by a private Italian investor who already owns an hotel in Bath. 
Simon Wells, hotels director at property agents Colliers International – which marketed the Ayrlington – said it had “attracted considerable interest and triggered brisk bidding”.
He added that last year’s warm summer had signalled a significant upturn in business at the hotel, which is close to the Rec and Bath Abbey. Its occupancy rate averaged 98.2%, generating a turnover of £505,710.
Unusually for the centre of Bath, the Ayrlington has car parking for guests.
Built in the early 1860s, the listed property also has a three-bedroom flat for use by the owners. The 16 letting bedrooms will sleep 32 – some 15 are doubles and one has twin beds. Two of the bedrooms have four poster beds and three have additional single beds.
Previous owners Ling and Simon Roper bought the hotel in 2000 and began 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.
She 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.”
Improved flight availability at Bristol Airport had also contributed to the recovery, she said, with a marked increase in German visitors.
