Updated on 30 May.

Kiama’s iconic Grand Hotel is for sale for the first time in 20 years and is already attracting large amounts of interest.

This historic, centrally located pub has been popular with locals and tourists alike since 1891.

 The same family has operated the pub for the last 20 years but as of late May, the hotel was put up for sale by Wollongong-based hotel brokers, Tourism Property.

The Nova next door will not be sold with The Grand and will continue to be maintained by the Salim Group.

According to broker Matt Davidson, there has been an enormous number of enquiries for the pub.

“Obviously, Kiama is an iconic seaside town and lots of people like to be here so we’re seeing a strong interest at the moment,” Mr Davidson says.

“We are getting people particularly from Sydney, but certainly some local interest which is great. We would love to see a local Kiama family take the asset on.”

The hotel has a bar, restaurant, TAB area and gaming room with 15 poker machines on the ground floor with 20 budget motel rooms upstairs.

Mr Davidson says it is ready for a new owner to maximise its potential, noting that Kiama is dreadfully under-supplied for tourist accommodation, with less than 200 motel rooms in the town.

“I think that will be fantastic to add some extra motel rooms for Kiama and a lot of pubs are going that way into using accommodation as a new revenue stream for their business,” Mr Davidson says.

“A lot of buyers have been talking about doing substantial renovations and we feel that a renovation into boutique rooms with ensuites would add great value to the property.”

The current owners have prepared concept plans for renovations, with no DA, but decided to sell.

Councillor and chair of the Destination Kiama Tourism Advisory Committee Matt Brown says the limited accommodation in Kiama, due to the removal of tourist zoning, provides a rare opportunity to invest in The Grand with its beautiful high ceiling rooms. 

“A new owner could bring them back to their former glory,” says Councillor Brown, who describes The Grand’s potential as limitless.

“Imagine cocktails and 5 star dining on a rooftop bar with views of the Kiama Harbour in one direction and Surf Beach in the other. Although I really hope they keep the rustic charm downstairs.

“I am very pleased the Salim Group is keeping the Nova which provides very good quality short-term hotel style accommodation. It's exactly what our town needs and will continue to provide a strong customer base for The Grand."