There has been no shortage of interest during the first stage in the ongoing auction for Dublin’s Gresham Hotel with 84 non-disclosure agreements signed by interested parties.

The publicly-quoted Irish group Dalata has not submitted a bid nor has US billionaire John Malone’s Lalco Group, owner of the Weston Hotel on the other side of O’Connell Bridge.

The 320 room hotel is being jointly sold by CBRE and Christie & Co of London - bidders who have made offers which are being considered will be informed later in this week, they will be invited to the second round.

Given the level of interest, it is now being suggested that the winning bid for the iconic hotel could now be more than €85m.