One result of the Ladbroke recommended bid for Stakis is that Dublin is likely to get a Hilton Hotel. No, not a brand new Hilton - but a change of name for the Stakis Hotel on the Grand Canal.

Analysts believe that the Stakis chain will be rebranded as Hilton's - and that will result in an intriguing situation where old Conrad Hilton will bestow both his christian name and surname on Dublin hotels - the Conrad on Earlsfort Terrace and the Hilton on the canal.

What the result of the merger will be in Northern Ireland remains to be seen - Ladbrokes already has a Hilton Hotel in Belfast - while a Stakis has been operating in Belfast for a few years. One can't really see two Hilton's in the same city.