The Best Hotels in Galway
Located on Ireland’s west coast, Galway is truly one of the Emerald Isle’s hidden gems.
Whether you’re checking out the famed 16th century Spanish Arch, headed to do some shopping and pub crawling in Eyre Square, or simply enjoying the gorgeous coastal scenery of this Irish harbor town, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Ireland’s fourth largest city.
Keep reading for suggestions on where to stay in Galway, Ireland!
Read more: You Can Stay in a Castle in Ireland! Here are the Best Ones
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Where to Stay in Galway
Here’s a quick summary of our recommended Galway hotels. All include free wifi and are known for comfort, great locations and great customer service.
Best Galway Hotels – Summary Comparison Chart
Name | Location | Best For | Price |
Galmont Hotel & Spa | City Centre | Spa lovers | Check rates: Hotels.com, Booking.com |
The G Hotel & Spa | City | All | Check rates: Booking.com |
Hotel Meyrick | Eyre Square | Luxury | Check rates: Booking.com |
Galway Bay | Beachfront | Beach lovers | Check rates: Hotels.com, Booking.com |
Maldron Sandy Road | Headford Point | Budget | Check rates: Hotels.com, Booking.com |
Below is more information about each hotel and why we recommend it!
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1. Galmont Hotel & Spa
Located right along the Lough Atalia, the Galmont Hotel & Spa is one of Ireland’s premier luxury hotels offering stunning panoramic views of Galway Bay. Formerly called the Radisson Blue, this gorgeous hotel has since rebranded as the Galmont!
With 261 suite-style rooms perfect for families or couples, multiple dining options, and a full-service spa integrating wellness treatments from around the globe, the Galmont has something to perfectly curate any vacation experience!
What makes this one of the best hotels in Galway City Centre?
Besides being of Galway’s most prestigious upscale hotels for its rooms and amenities, the Galmont Hotel & Spa has without question the most unrivaled location anywhere in Galway.
When you enjoy a three minute walk to the famed Eyre Square and just a five minute walk to the pubs and shops of Quay Street, what more could you want?
Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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2. The G Hotel & Spa
Designed by famed milliner Philip Treacy (I thought it would’ve been named after Kenny G at first, too!), the G Hotel & Spa has a well-deserved status as Galway’s only five-star luxury hotel.
With 101 rooms, 3 lounges, daily afternoon tea, a full-service spa, and Restaurant gigi’s, winner of the best hotel restaurant in the 2016 Irish Restaurant awards, the G Hotel & Spa is an amazing blend of Irish hospitality and luxury.
What makes this one of the best luxury hotels in Galway?
As one of Galway’s most famous hotels, the G Hotel & Spa is plugged in and able to offer its guests incredible access to incredible events going on throughout the Galway community.
Whether it’s the Galway Sessions music festival, the Galway Film Fleadh, or the world-famous horses of the Galway Races, guests at the G will always have the first look at everything that’s great to do in Galway!
Check current rates: Booking.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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3. Hotel Meyrick
Overlooking Eyre Square, the 165-year-old Hotel Meyrick offers its guests a classically Irish luxury experience.
The hotel’s four room and suite options offer everything from shimmering silk linens and curtains, stately wallpaper, and antique wood furniture and poster beds all housed in a gorgeous Victorian building at the epicenter of Galway’s social culture.
Why do we love this Galway hotel?
Though it may be one of the city’s older luxury hotels, there is no modern amenity the Hotel Meyrick can’t seem to provide.
With a range of packages featuring the Meyrick’s 2 award-winning restaurants (including full Irish Breakfast daily!), pamper treatment at the spa, or access to community events such as the Galway Races or Galway Oyster Festival, the Meyrick has something to elevate any Irish vacation experience!
Check current rates: Booking.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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4. Galway Bay Hotel
Overlooking the Clare hills on the shores of Galway Bay, the Galway Bay Hotel offers a luxuriously secluded hotel experience that’s still conveniently located near all the excitement of Galway City.
With four room and suite options that include a range of stunning ocean views, gorgeous European architecture, the Galway Bay Hotel provides a fantastic all-around upscale Irish experience.
Consider Galway Bay if You Want the Best of City & Ocean…
The Galway Bay Hotel’s location just outside the main city offers guests a perfect blend of Galway’s rural and urban delights.
Whether you want to see the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean as you stroll along the Salthill Promenade or take a short ride into the city to experience the hubbub of Eyre Square or enjoy free access to the Galway City Museum, the Bay Hotel offers everything that’s great to gaze at in Galway!
Check current rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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5. Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
Located just outside the city center, the Maldron Hotel Sandy Road is one of Galway’s most picturesque hotels.
With myriad flowing riverbanks and numerous Irish castles just minutes away, the Maldron is the perfect escape into Ireland’s treasured (and beautiful) history.
What distinguishes the Maldron?
Despite being set among Galway’s most treasured historical relics, the Maldron Hotel Galway offers all modern amenities you would expect from a European hotel, including flexible meeting space, multiple room and suite options, and a full-service spa.
If this tickles your fancy then make sure to extend your stay at the Sandy Road, where guests enjoy 10% off their booking when staying more than 2 nights!
Check the latest prices on: Hotels.com, Booking.com
Read reviews: TripAdvisor
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And that’s it! Our guide to the best Galway hotels to make the most of your stay.
Whether you’re looking for a convenient hotel in Galways’ city center, a boutique hotel by Galway bay for families with kids or a luxury hotel for spa and nature lovers, we hope our recommendations for top hotels in Galway will suit for your Ireland vacation!
Essential Tips for Visiting Ireland
Getting In | Aer Lingus, the national Irish airline, offers non-stop flights from select US cities. Two reasons to recommend Aer Lingus: low nonstop fares from many US cities and their pre-clearance facilities. We found cheap flights to Ireland in October – you can check for flight deals and routes here.
When returning to the U.S., take advantage of the U.S. pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports, where you complete U.S. immigration, customs and agriculture controls before departure so that when you land in the U.S., you can just collect your bags.
Getting Around | If there’s one thing I can recommend, it’s to rent a car and drive around Ireland. Not only is the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route one of the world’s most scenic drives, transportation in Ireland is a bit difficult without your own vehicle. We were nervous about driving on the left but ultimately renting a car was the best decision! Check car rental prices for your dates here.
Where to Stay | I highly recommend staying at an Irish country house during your trip. Irish hospitality is truly something else. For unique luxury accommodation check out out Ireland’s Blue Book. Or, take advantage of Airbnb for a local experience!
Protect | Lastly, be sure to visit Ireland with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Hurricane Ophelia hit the country smack in the middle of our road trip! Get a quote for your trip here.
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How to Plan the Perfect Ireland Itinerary
Where to Stay: 10 Enchanting Irish Castle Hotels
Packing Checklist: What to Wear in Ireland
For Foodies: All the Best Food We Ate in Ireland
Ireland Road Trips
The Best Stops on the Wild Atlantic Way (with map!)
7 Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Ireland
How to Master Driving in Ireland (as a tourist!)
Irish Sights, Activities & Tours We Especially Enjoyed:
Co Galway: Visiting Kylemore Abbey, Ireland's Most Beautiful Castle?
Co Kerry: Can't Miss Sights in Killarney & Dingle
Co Waterford: Waterford, Ireland's Oldest City, the House of Waterford Crystal & Mount Congreve Gardens
Co Wexford: Don't Skip Wexford - Here's Why!
Co Kilkenny: Exploring Kilkenny Castle, in photos
Restaurant & Hotels We Loved:
County Clare: Gregans Castle Hotel
County Galway: Rosleague Manor Hotel, Where to Stay in Galway
County Wexford: The Strand Inn
County Waterford: The Cliff House Hotel, The Reg Pub
Northern Ireland
Travel Guide: Belfast
Where to Stay in Belfast as a First Time Visitor
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