WHAT is probably the best hotel site in Galway goes on the market next month when O'Malley Construction seeks a buyer for the commercial element of a mixed development planned for Galway docks. Terry Cunningham of Cunningham Auctioneers is quoting a guideline price of £1.5 million for the site, which will accommodate a 125-bedroom hotel. The package will also include 75 spaces in an adjoining multi-storey car-park. Tenders close on December 6th. The purchasers will be able to avail of significant capital allowances on the hotel.

O'Malley Construction is to develop 109 apartments and townhouses in the Dun Aengus scheme beside the hotel on a four-acre tax designated site, which is bounded on three sides by water - the River Corrib, Galway Bay and Galway Docks. The scheme will also included about 8,500 square feet of offices, which will be available for letting.

The hotel will be close to Shop Street and Eyre Square. Galway city hotels are now heavily booked all the year round, none more so than Jurys, which opened in the same area about three years ago.