Warwick’s O’Mahony’s Hotel in search of new owner

After 22 years together, the owner of an iconic Warwick hotel has decided to put the historical beauty up for auction. Find all the details here.

After more than two decades working to restore a Warwick landmark, the owner of a historic hotel is set to put the property up for auction.

For the past 22 years O’Mahony’s Hotel, formerly known as the National Hotel, has been owned and managed by Joan Wallace who originally took on the 136-year-old historic hotel with the aspiration of restoring it to its former glory.

“I fell in love with the charm of the building and bought it with the intention of restoring it and I think I‘ve accomplished that as best I can,” Mrs Wallace said.

“I’d love to see someone take it on and continue to do more with it. I’m at retirement age now, so my plan is to just wind down slowly and see where life takes me.”

Mrs Wallace said the past 22 years have had their challenges, with managing a budget and prioritising what works needed to be done while working with time constraints.

Nevertheless, those minor bumps in the road haven’t resulted in much of a drop in the hotel’s occupancy rate, with Warwick’s tourism and infrastructure constantly flourishing.

O'Mahony's Hotel, known affectionately by a play on its former name, The Nash.

“I have considerable clientele who stay at the hotel, visiting from all around. The new wind farm project has seen all of our motels heavily booked,” Mrs Wallace said.

“We all have a really good working relationship. The hospitality industry is really thriving at the moment, and we all refer visitors to stay with one another.”

The loyalty of those travellers who visit each year without fault was what brought Mrs Wallace the most joy, along with the new faces who drop in mesmerised by the beauty and charm the hotel effortlessly displays.

Gallery: Inside the treasured O’Mahony’s Hotel in Warwick

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Online travel booking agencies have been a big hit for the hotel, with about 20 to 30 per cent of the occupancy rate coming from Airbnb guests, who mostly visit for a weekend getaway.

“I’ve always had really good reviews from the guests who book through Airbnb. The hotel is just in such an attractive part of town, it’s essentially in the historical precinct with the railway just right opposite the road,” Mrs Wallace said.

National Hotel, now O'Mahony's on Lyons St. Warwick & District Historical Society collection

Originally, the hotel was two separate buildings with the first one built in 1887 and the second addition in 1902.

Recently, Mrs Wallace said she had the pleasure of meeting the great granddaughter of the original owner, who was visiting from Ireland, with the publican ecstatic to be able to show her through the building and how far its come.

“I’m very appreciative of the support I‘ve received from the community over the years and I’m grateful to have played a role in their lives,” Mrs Wallace said.

During the upstairs renovations a bottle and a hat were found buried, likely having taken up residence since the early days as part of a tradition to ward off evil spirits. The duo will remain housed behind the bar.

“Life is really all about the experiences you have, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the hotel.”

IThink Property Ipswich principal Ben Walker said the hotel has attracted some decent interest and a few offers, with the property set to go under the hammer at 11am on July 19.

Originally published as Warwick’s O’Mahony’s Hotel in search of new owner