Best Hotels in Galway
Are you searching for a hotel in Galway, Ireland? Read our guide to the best places to stay in Galway for all budgets.
Ireland is mostly known for its rugged coastline and natural beauty.
The island also has several awesome cities you can visit while there.
Situated on the west coast, the City of Galway is definitely one of them.
For us, Galway was an exciting stop on our way along the Wild Atlantic Way.
We're pretty sure it's one of the staples, even for those travelers with a more laidback Ireland itinerary. That was not our case, but back to the point.
Galway has much to see and do, from history and sights to food and culture.
As the city has a lively pub and great nightlife, one of the best ways to experience it is by staying overnight.
Finding a good hotel in Galway is not that challenging, at least if you know where to look.
So, here is our choice of the best hotels in Galway for every budget.
Our Favorite Hotels in Galway
If you're in a rush, here is a quick summary of the best hotels in Galway in each category.
These are our favorite hotels in Galway.
Best for Backpackers - Kinlay Hostel Eyre Square
Best for Families - Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
Best for Couples - The Hardiman
Best for Business - The Galmont Hotel and Spa
Budget Hotel - The Victoria Hotel
Mid-range Hotel - Leonardo Hotel Galway
Boutique Hotel - The Dean
Luxury Hotel - The g Hotel
If you have extra time, keep on reading. We've compiled a list of the best hotels in Galway for all budgets and preferences.
Why Visit Galway
There are several reasons to visit Galway, no matter your travel style or preferences.
The main draw of Galway is its Bohemian atmosphere, lively streets, and year-round events.
Walking along the river and waterfront were among our favorite things to do, as well as enjoying the busy life of Galway's streets.
We found the city center to be compact but very picturesque.
The main advantage is that you can easily get around the city on foot and see all of Galway's main sights within a relatively short amount of time.
Simply put, this is one of the most popular cities for international travelers to visit in Ireland.
Why Stay in Galway
For starters, Galway is ideally located on Ireland's west coast.
The city is just within a short driving distance from Cliffs of Moher.
This is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland that no visitor should miss.
Galway is also a gateway to The Burren and Connemara, one of Ireland's most stunning regions.
You can easily base yourself in Galway for a few days and explore these areas on day trips.
The city is connected with Dublin by M6, meaning you can drive from coast to coast in about two and a half hours.
Where to Stay in Galway
The first thing you need to know about Galway is that it's a relatively small and compact city.
Therefore, the best area to stay in Galway is the City Center.
Another important thing is that despite its relatively small size, there are plenty of hotels to choose from.
Just remember that you should book your accommodation in advance to save some money, especially if you visit Ireland during the main season - check when to go to Ireland.
City Center
If you're visiting Galway for the first time, staying in a hotel with a central location really makes sense. You don't need to complicate it.
You will find plenty of hotels in the Eyre Square area, which is right next to Galway's main highlights, including the train and bus station.
If you're arriving by car, note that parking can be complicated within this area.
Ask the hotel if they have a special deal with one of the nearby parking garages.
Salthill
Another popular neighborhood to stay in Galway is Salthill.
Salthill offers a few budget options, but the selection is fairly limited.
The main disadvantage of Salthill is that it's about two kilometers southwest of the City Center.
That said, the walk along the Salthill Promenade is very enjoyable (or you can take a taxi or bus).
N6
There are a few hotels in the area along the N6, which connects Galway with the rest of the country.
The biggest upside is that they usually have large parking lots and great access to the national road, so you save some time when leaving the city.
Airport
Galway Airport was closed some time ago, so you obviously won't find any airport hotels here.
If you're flying in or out of Ireland, the nearest airports are Dublin Airport or Shannon Airport near Limerick.
Best Budget Hotels
Accommodation eats up a significant part of every travel budget.
The good news is that Galway has plenty of great cheap hotels if you want to keep your expenses at bay.
As mentioned above, it's better to stay in the city center, though you will also find some nice budget hotels on the outskirts.
Hyde Hotel | Situated in the heart of Galway, this 3-star hotel features beautiful rooms, delicious food, an excellent location, and live music.
Imperial Hotel Galway | Situated at Eyre Square, this affordable hotel offers spotless rooms, contemporary decor, and friendly staff.
The Victoria Hotel | Located just around the corner from Eyre Square, The Victoria Hotel is a popular choice among budget travelers. This charming hotel has en-suite rooms, modern decor, and a good restaurant.
Nox Hotel Galway | Situated less than two kilometers from the city center, this is a popular budget hotel with great access to N6. It has spacious rooms with comfortable beds, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
The Connacht Hotel | This budget option in the wider Galway area boasts bright rooms, free parking, and a great leisure center.
Best Mid-range Hotels
Galway has several good mid-range chain hotels with various locations.
You can easily find a hotel in the City Center, Salthill, or along the N6.
The main benefit of midscale hotels over cheap properties is that they offer a better overall value.
Leonardo Hotel Galway | With modern rooms, a central location, a buffet breakfast, and helpful staff, Leonardo Hotel Galway is a great place to stay.
The Galmont Hotel and Spa | Situated a short walk from Eyre Square and the train station, this hotel is definitely a great choice. The Galmont offers spacious rooms, great food, a swimming pool, and amazing views of Galway Bay. This is a true gem for couples looking for a retreat in the Galway city center.
Salthill Hotel | If you want to stay in Salthill, this 4-star hotel is a great choice. Expect cozy rooms with sea views, a full Irish breakfast, and a superb leisure center with a 25-meter indoor pool.
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway | This hotel has air-conditioned rooms and free underground parking. You can reach the city center of Maldron Hotel Galway in less than 20 minutes on foot. The hotel has a good amount of family rooms as well.
Boutique Hotels
Galway has some charming boutique hotels if you're looking for an alternative to monotonous and predictable chain hotels.
These properties offer a more personalized service and intimate experience that sets them apart from traditional chain hotels.
The hotels we picked on this list have all central locations, so you don't need to worry about public transport.
The Hardiman | Set in a historical building, The Hardiman is a beautiful hotel with stylish rooms, comfortable beds, marble bathrooms, and a hard-to-beat location.
The House Hotel | Set in an old stone building, this is another gem of Galway's Latin Quarter. The hotel has elegant, individually decorated rooms, soundproofed windows, and a great breakfast. Plus, thanks to its central location, it's close to everything.
The Dean | With quirky decor, a great location, an outdoor pool, and a sauna, this 4-star hotel is a great choice for a leisure stay in Galway.
Best Luxury Hotels
Given Galway's size, you can't expect to find luxury hotels on every corner.
Still, there are a few options for those seeking that extra service only 5-star hotels offer.
Apart from the high prices for rooms, these hotels are not located in the city center.
It can be a good thing if you're looking for a quiet location, but not that great if you want to be in the center of things.
Anyway, these are the best luxury 5-star hotels in Galway.
The g Hotel | Situated about a 20-minute walk from the city center, The g is arguably the best luxury hotel in Galway. Expect stylish rooms, fantastic food, impeccable service, an exceptional spa, and free parking.
Glenlo Abbey Hotel | Located about 5 kilometers north of the city center, Glenlo Abbey offers a true retreat from Galway's busy streets. This 5-star accommodation features gorgeous rooms, fine dining, a golf course, and free parking.
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel | Although this luxury castle hotel is about an hour's drive from Galway, it's a great alternative to all the city hotels on this list. Set in a private estate, it is one of the best resort hotels in Ireland. Expect stunning rooms, a quiet location, and excellent service.
Best Hostels
Unlike some other Irish cities, Galway has a good range of hostels with great reviews.
If you travel around Ireland on a budget, you can for sure find a nice, affordable, clean place to stay in Galway.
You can find hostels in the City Center, as well as in the Salthill.
The main reason to stay in one of the centrally located hostels is that these properties are within a stone's throw from the main bus and train stations.
Kinlay Hostel Eyre Square | Situated on the Eyre Square, Kinlay Hostel is a great place for budget travelers to stay. You can expect clean rooms (both dorms and private rooms), a well-equipped kitchen, and a great vibe. This is one of the best hostels in Galway for solo travelers.
Galway City Hostel | Another hostel on Eyre Square is Galway City Hostel. In addition to its great location, this property offers both dorms and private rooms, luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a shared kitchen/lounge.
The Nest Boutique Hostel | Located in the Salthill, The Nest is one of the best hostels in Galway. It's clean, comfortable, and well-organized. It has beautiful decor, comfy beds, and a fully equipped shared kitchen.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
