Budget
Nox Hotel
Only open since the summer of 2015, Nox Hotel has already earned a reputation for offering an excellent value short stay in Galway, providing what its owners describe as a ‘simple yet stylish hotel experience’. Though it’s officially a three-star hotel, the rooms are impressively modern and trendily appointed, and the location is a manageable distance from the city centre, around a 20-minute walk away. The staff at the 24-hour front desk are infinitely helpful and will answer any query you may have, but do be aware ahead of time that the buffet breakfast isn’t included in the room rate.
Nox Hotel, Headford Road, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 735 555
The Westwood Hotel
The four-star Westwood Hotel caters to visitors hoping to enjoy a comfortable stay but still have plenty of money left over to spend exploring the city. With 58 bedrooms – starting from just €69, B&B from €79 – the lodgings here won’t break the bank, but the standard rooms are clean and inviting, even featuring cherry wood furniture hand-made in Connemara. Food-wise, their reasonably priced carvery lunch is popular with locals and tourists alike.
The Westwood Hotel, Upper Newcastle, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 521 442
Mid-range
Galway Bay Hotel
Galway Bay Hotel is in perfect surroundings for lovers of the sea, right on the water on the Salthill Promenade, looking across the bay to County Clare’s Flaggy Shore. This family-friendly establishment ranks in the top five Galway hotels on TripAdvisor, with past guests frequently applauding both its location and the high-quality service. It’s a great place to stay with kids, as not only are there plenty of activities in the vicinity, but the hotel also has its own kids club, and will happily arrange a babysitter for parents needing a break.
Galway Bay Hotel, The Promenade, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 514 644
The House Hotel
A four-star boutique hotel with beautiful interiors, The House Hotel also has the advantage of a superb location at Spanish Parade in Galway’s Latin Quarter. This stylish spot is just a stone’s throw from some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, but with a widely celebrated cocktail bar and bistro on the premises, hosting live music every weekend, you don’t even have to venture that far. Sleeping options range from standard doubles up to extravagant suites with private balconies, and all the en-suite bathrooms have toiletries from the range by Irish designer Orla Kiely – a pleasantly patriotic touch.
The House Hotel, Spanish Parade, Latin Quarter, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 538 900
Luxury
The g Hotel
Galway’s lavish five-star g hotel was designed by none other than superstar milliner Philip Treacy, a native of the west coast county. His concept was based around the sea, and unique maritime touches abound throughout, such as a tank of Connemara-bred seahorses in the lobby and shell-shaped handles on each bedroom door. The two-floor destination spa here comes highly recommended, as does the hotel’s Restaurant gigi’s dining space, which holds two AA rosettes and was awarded Best Hotel Restaurant in Galway at the 2016 Irish Restaurant Awards.
The g Hotel, Old Dublin Rd, Galway, Ireland, +353 91 865 200
Glenlo Abbey
Located just outside the city on the shores of Lough Corrib, Glenlo Abbey consists of a 138-acre private estate, complete with a five-bay 18th-century manor house, walled gardens and a nine-hole golf course. The former seat of the Anglo-Norman French family, this is definitely the place to come if you’re looking for old-world ambience and almost regal levels of comfort – even the smallest rooms are spacious with eye-catching views, some looking towards the lake, some towards the attached abbey.
Glenlo Abbey, Kentfield, Galway City, Co. Galway, Ireland, +353 91 519 600
