Hotels & Guest Houses

Hunting for a hotel to buy or after a great guest house? You’re one step closer with Ernest Wilson’s great choice of properties for sale.


Buy a hotel and guest house now


Hotels and guest houses have been a part of British culture for almost one and a half centuries. We have charming inns for a wonderful weekend away, budget-friendly chains for affordable overnight work stays and luxury resorts for affluent travellers. .

There has never been a better time to get into the hotel and guest house sector. The market size sat at over £24 billion in 2024, and the number of guests is also projected to rise annually, with 2029 seeing a peak of almost 43 million users. These figures show the outlook for the industry to be extremely promising, so consider acquiring an establishment to take advantage.

Browse our collection of hotels and guest houses available to buy below, or contact us if you need assistance. One of our friendly team members will be on hand to support your search.


Why should I buy a hotel or guest house?

We believe a hotel and guest house business can be a wise investment for anyone interested in joining a new industry or expanding their portfolio further. When you buy one of our options, you can:

- Generate income through several revenue streams, including overnight stays, food and drink, or laundry services

- Create many jobs for your local area

- Get a return on your investment, with these buildings typically rising in value over time

- Diversify your property portfolio

- Enjoy a passive income stream when you hire reliable management staff

“For those looking to enter the hospitality sector, buying an established hotel or guest house offers a streamlined pathway. Bypass lengthy setup processes and leverage existing infrastructure and market presence for quicker returns.”

- Paul Williamson, Managing Director

Hotel vs guest house: What’s the difference?

Hotel

Hotels tend to be large properties that offer a significant number of rooms. Features you can expect include 24-hour reception support, a restaurant and/or bar area and concierge options. You’ll usually find these premises in city centres with strong transport links, making them suitable for business travellers or overseas tourists.

Guest house

Guest houses are typically on the smaller scale and owner-operated. You can often find these properties in coastal or countryside locations, making them the ideal place for a cosy staycation. Guest houses can be relatively easy to manage because they have fewer rooms, and upfront investment costs tend to be lower due to the size of the opportunity.

What’s the process for buying a hotel or guest house?

Our specialist sales team can help you navigate the hotel or guest house purchase process. You can usually expect the journey to look like this:

- Define your goals, browse our options and choose one to buy

- Request additional information and visit the premises to understand it further

- Conduct your own due diligence to ensure you are happy with the business’s assets and finances

- Enter and conclude negotiations with us and the existing owner

- Send the funds and collect the keys. You’ll then be the proud owner of a hotel or guest house

In some circumstances, you may need to re-register the business before anyone can begin using your services. We can help with this, so let us know if you want any assistance.

Should I buy a guest house or hotel through Ernest Wilson?

We believe we’re well-equipped to help you buy a guest house or hotel. Our many years in business have allowed us to develop the expertise to navigate the purchase and sales process to make it easy for all our clients.

Our teams can be found up and down the country, with our 25 nationwide offices allowing us to tap into local market knowledge to support your negotiations. What’s more, we can finance purchases if you need extra capital to conclude the sale.

All of these features have led to us being consistently rated highly by past clients. Take a look at their comments to see why you can depend on us too.

Find the right hotel or guest house to buy today

Become the proud new owner of an existing hotel or guest house business now when you buy one we have listed for sale. Be sure to get in touch if you have any questions.

Wanting to sell a hotel or guest house? We can help with that as well. Please read our selling a business guide to learn more.

Frequently asked questions about buying hotels or guest houses

How hard is it to buy a hotel?

Buying a hotel does have its complexities. Understanding the business’s performance, securing funding and completing legal checks are often the hardest parts.

However, buying a hotel doesn’t have to be difficult. Our experts are here to simplify the process and iron out any creases along the way. Please contact us to learn how we make it easier.

Can I mortgage a hotel?

Yes, you can. Many hotel owners take out a commercial mortgage to pay for the business. You will need to pass their checks to have your loan approved.

Do I need a licence to run a guest house or hotel?

Hotels and guest houses require several licences depending on the services on offer. Some examples you need include:

- Premises licence

- Food business registration

- Food hygiene certificate

- TV licence

- Music licence

Do guest houses pay council tax?

Typically, guest houses will pay business rates instead of council tax.