Fun, cultural, and historic Galway is a firm favorite on Irish travel itineraries. Maybe it’s the pubs and bars of the Latin Quarter. Perhaps it’s the city’s Gaelic history and roots, or maybe it’s Galway’s glorious seafront location. From the Spanish Arch to Menlo Castle, there’s a lot to fall in love with in Galway!

At traditional pubs in the bustling medieval Latin Quarter, you can order fish that’s fresh from the Atlantic, washed down with a pint of Galway’s best beer while listening to live music. Some of Galway’s best fine dining restaurants are found in boutique hotels, where you can enjoy afternoon tea with a view of Lough Atalia or a dinner of fresh Galway crab and prime Galway beef served by award-winning local chefs.

Overlooking the windswept shores of Ireland’s western coastline, Galway is also your gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. Within easy reach of your accommodation in Galway, you can explore the Aran Islands, Connemara National Park, the Cliffs of Moher, and The Burren on exciting day trips from the city. 

With so much to see and do, you’ll want a nice hotel room to come home to at the end of a long day. Luckily, Galway is brimming with all sorts of historic hotels, countryside manors, and luxurious boutique hotels. So many, in fact, that you might have a hard time choosing the perfect one. So we’ve created a list of the 12 coolest boutique hotels in Galway to help you plan your perfect getaway!

But first, if you’re planning a trip to Ireland’s western shores, then keep reading as we explain exactly where to stay in Galway.

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Best Luxury Hotels in Galway

Where to stay in Galway

Galway has an impressive range of boutique hotels spread out across the city and in the surrounding suburbs and countryside. 

If it’s your first time visiting Galway, then you’ll find it convenient to stay in the city center. The first option is to book a hotel around Eyre Square, a central meeting point surrounded by great restaurants and bars that’s within an easy walk of the major attractions. There are several major Galway hotels, both new and historic, in or near Eyre Square.

The second option is to book a hotel in the Latin Quarter. This is Galway’s medieval heart, where you’ll find traditional pubs and live music venues alongside historic sights like the Spanish Arch. Here you’ll find homey pubs and family-run hotels offering excellent boutique accommodation.

But those aren’t your only two options. Overlooking Galway harbor and along Salthill Promenade, you can enjoy sea views from luxury hotel rooms. Travel along the River Corrib, and you can find elegant country homes in a rural and often serene setting on the outskirts of Galway. Inspired to visit yet? Then here are the best places to stay in Galway! 

The 12 Best Hotels in Galway

1. The Galmont Hotel & Spa

One of the best hotels in Galway is The Galmont Hotel & Spa. This is one for the luxury-spa-loving-foodies out there, because this boutique ticks all of the spa and foodie boxes, and more!

Let’s start with the location. The Galmont Hotel & Spa offers waterside views from its terrace, as the hotel is superbly located on the banks of Lough Atalia. Wake up to beautiful scenes, but rest assured that you’re also just a short stroll away from central sights like Eyre Square and the Latin Quarter. 

Rooms at this four-star hotel are decidedly modern in character, offering no-nonsense, minimalist luxuries that include a king-size bed, Egyptian cotton sheets, and those all-important goose-down pillows. All rooms have sea or city views, but upgrade to the fifth-floor executive rooms, and you’ll also have a private seafront balcony.

Next up is the spa, where you’ll have a fully equipped health club that’s a delightful treat after a day of sightseeing. The Energise Fitness and Leisure Centre features an 18-meter-long indoor swimming pool, as well as a whirlpool, sauna, and a bonus outdoor hot tub. Take things up a notch at the Spirit One Spa, where there’s a thermal suite, massage and treatment rooms, and a range of luxury Elemis Spa products. 

By now, we expect you’ve worked up an appetite. For a casual dinner and drinks, head to Coopers Bar & Lounge, where you can order pints of beer, coffee drinks, and pub food on the hotel’s terrace. For a fine dining experience, book a table at Marina’s Restaurant, where Head Chef Adrian Bane serves up Galway crab, salmon, and beef alongside a selection of international wines.

2. The Dean Galway

The Dean Galway is one of the coolest hotels in Galway. This unique boutique retreat claims to be Galway’s first design hotel, and we know you’re going to love the seamless blend of old and new that’s found here.

The four-star hotel is located a short walk from Galway’s city center. The exterior is overtly modern, but beneath the contemporary fittings and fixtures, the basis of The Dean Galway is an old stone building dating back to the 1830s. 

The mammoth hotel project, which has 100 boutique bedrooms, somehow also managed to include an old section of the Galway to Clifden Railway Tunnel (dating back to the late 19th century) into its design. 

Step inside, and you’ll find that the interior designs are strikingly modern in tone. There are contrasting blacks and whites in the corridors and vibrant pinks and bright turquoise in the bedrooms. 

You’ll love the gadget-driven style behind the quirky rooms, with cool features like a SMEG mini-fridge, Marshall amplifiers, and a Nespresso machine coming as standard. You’ll even get a fully loaded “Irish Munchies” snack tray to enjoy, as well as Grafton Barber products in the bathrooms. 

The Dean Galway is much more than a place to sleep. Enjoy fresh brews every morning at DIME Coffee, where you can pick up a takeaway latte or take a seat in the cafe and enjoy a cappuccino while you browse through emails. On the ground floor, you’ll find the Elephant & Castle, where specialty wings are prepared using local ingredients but served in New York diner-style.

The rooftop, though, is where the real action takes place. Head to the top floor of The Dean Galway, and you’ll find Sophie’s Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace. Enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner with a side of panorama as you take in supreme views of Galway below!

3. The g Hotel

The g Hotel is one of the most popular boutique hotels in Galway. This unique hotel is one of the most luxurious in Galway, too, and we know you’re going to love the colorful design concepts, revitalizing spa facilities, and fabulous cocktail bar. 

This five-star hotel was personally designed by Philip Treacy, an Irish “Milliner” (that’s a hat designer, for those in the know!) known for designing hats for the British royal family. Treacy’s love of high fashion inspired the interior designs you’ll see at The g Hotel, as well as the air of sophistication and pure class throughout. 

The 101 luxury rooms at The g Hotel have all been meticulously designed to promote comfort. The Egyptian cotton linen has a thread count of 300, the pillows are stuffed with Duck Down, and you can program the temperature to a degree with the climate control system. Each room has unique artwork that was commissioned or chosen by Treacy, king beds are standard, and the bathrooms are kitted out with ESPA products and Crema Levante marble. 

If you’re a fan of ESPA’s luxurious spa products, then you’re in for a real treat. The g Hotel is home to a fully-equipped ESPA spa, which just so happens to be Galway’s only five-star spa. ESPA at the g has 12 treatment rooms, a thermal suite, a vitality hydro pool, a crystal steam room, a rock sauna, an ice fountain, a tepidarium, and much, much more. 

After a soothing spa session, enjoy afternoon tea in the Grand Salon or one of the hotel’s many Signature Lounges. The Cocktail Bar offers superb mixology, while the Lounge Menu offers lite bites like oysters, mussels, and Aran Island goat cheese. Save yourself for Gigi’s Restaurant, though, where you’ll find a menu of King Oysters, Chateaubriand Steak, Wild Atlantic Halibut, and Skeaghanore Duck at the hotel’s 2 AA Rosette restaurant. 

4. Menlo Park Hotel

Menlo Park Hotel is a real rarity in the hotel world. This fantastic, four-star, award-winning Galway hotel has all the amenities and comforts of a high-end, international hotel chain, yet somehow, Menlo Park Hotel remains family-owned. 

With just 81 rooms at the hotel, you know you’re going to have fantastic, personalized service throughout your stay. You might even bump into the owners, Paddy and John Francis, a father and son team who opened Menlo Park Hotel in 1998. They’ve infused their boutique hotel with the spirit of Galway, and you’ll find that many of the suites have been named after famous Galway locals. 

Rooms at Menlo Park Hotel are modern, minimalist, and practical. From the classic rooms to the luxury suites, they’re all designed with comfort in mind, and you’ll love the memory foam mattresses, “Divine Duvets,” soft, fluffy carpets, and waterfall showers. 

Menlo Park Hotel is a 25-minute walk from Galway’s city center. That makes this hotel a great choice for anyone looking for a quiet retreat away from the bars and pubs of the Latin Quarter. The hotel even has its own restaurant, the P. Francis & Son Bar and Bistro, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in a casual yet refined setting. 

5. The Huntsman Inn

For a taste of traditional Galway hospitality (and home-cooked food), then book a stay at The Huntsman Inn. This fantastic boutique hotel has just 12 rooms to offer, which means that you’re guaranteed world-class service from the staff!

The Huntsman Inn is found just outside Galway’s city center. The owners, local business people Paddy and Margaret Francis, opened The Huntsman Inn as a pub over three decades ago. At the time, they were well out of the city, but given Galway’s expansion, they’re now in one of the most convenient locations. 

The original pub ethos of The Huntsman Inn has been retained and remastered, and you’ll find there are now three separate bars serving an impressive range of local and international drinks below the bedrooms. 

Don’t worry, because everything is totally soundproofed, and even on live music nights, you’ll barely hear a thing if you’re in need of an early night’s sleep. Rooms are homey and cozy, and you’ll wake up looking forward to the hearty delights of a Full Irish Breakfast prepared using locally sourced ingredients from Galway’s best farms and producers. 

The Huntsman Inn’s award-winning kitchen cooks up more than breakfast, so make sure you schedule time for lunch or dinner at the pub, too. The Fresh Atlantic Seafood Pie is always a favorite, as is the 8oz Angus Steakburger!

6. Harbour Hotel

The Harbour Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy Galway’s Atlantic sea breeze. With boutique rooms overlooking Galway’s harbor, you couldn’t ask for a more serene location so close to the city center. If you’re looking for the best hotels in Galway, this might be your best bet!

The best rooms at this four-star waterfront hotel offer views over Galway Bay, but all are designed with both comfort and style in mind. You’ll love the crisp white sheets, plush pillows and bedding, Bluetooth speakers, and blackout blinds that come with every room.

Harbour Hotel is home to one of Galway’s best restaurants. Reserve a table at Dillisk on the Docks, where you’ll enjoy the best local dishes prepared using seasonal produce. There are Galway Bay mussels or seafood chowder to start, followed by a choice of steak, salmon, or chicken for mains.

7. The House Hotel

You’ll find The House Hotel in a historic stone-built townhouse on Spanish Parade, just seconds away from the famous Spanish Arch and the Galway City Museum. 

The location makes this four-star boutique hotel perfect for history-loving travelers, but once you’re past the rugged facade of The House Hotel, you’ll find a homey guesthouse that puts comfort first. Rooms here are all individually styled, with soft, colorful carpets, spacious king beds, and Italian-designed bathrooms with powerful rain showers. 

The chic boutique style continues in the hotel’s restaurant, where you can drink and eat in modernist surroundings. The Yard Kitchen & Bar draws on the hotel’s historic location in the heart of The City of Tribes while simultaneously serving up contemporary fusion food and elegant cocktails. 

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8. Skeffington Arms Hotel

If you love cocktails, then you’re going to love staying at the Skeffington Arms Hotel. Supremely located in Eyre Square, this unique Galway hotel is home to the largest cocktail bar in Galway.

The iconic Skeff Late Bar is one of the most popular bars in Galway, where cocktails, beers, wines, and champagnes flow all through the night. The Skeff Late Bar is really six separate bars spread out across multiple floors, each of which offers a unique atmosphere for its varied clientele. 

This hotel is one for partygoers because Skeffington Arms Hotel is also home to an extensive nightclub that’s packed on weekdays and weekends. DNA Nightclub has four bars and two dance floors spread across three levels and an exceptional menu of drinks to choose from.

Luckily, you can book a boutique room in the hotel, offering an easy out when you’ve had one too many beers on a Friday night. The 24 bedrooms are completely separate from the bars, although guests do get half-price entry into the club. Rooms at the Skeffington Arms Hotel are modern, colorful, and comfortable, with stylish decor, luxury toiletries, and plush bedding.

9. The Hardiman

With an exalted history dating back to 1852, The Hardiman has been welcoming visitors to Galway since the Victorian era. You’ll find this prestigious local hotel overlooking Eyre Square, and you can be sure that The Hardiman has long been the first choice of the discerning traveler when visiting the city. 

The Hardiman has 103 boutique rooms within its historic walls. You’ll love how the rooms all draw on the hotel’s historic character, with high vaulted ceilings and extravagant Victorian-style windows adding a touch of spaciousness to proceedings. Each room has its personal character, decor, and finishing touches, but expect to find a plush bed and marbled bathroom in whichever one you stay. 

Start the morning at Gaslight Brasserie, where you’ll be served a Full Irish Breakfast prepared using locally sourced ingredients. The Oyster Bar serves up oysters (what else?), afternoon tea, and cocktails, while you can return to the Gaslight Brasserie for dinner, make use of the excellent in-room dining service, or take your pick of the many restaurants found around Eyre Square.

10. Galway Bay Hotel

Book a room at Galway Bay Hotel, and you’ll be staying just meters away from the seafront. As the name of this four-star boutique suggests, this hotel looks directly over Galway Bay and stands proud as one of the best hotels in Galway!

You’ll want to book an Oceanview Room, where you’ll have glorious views from the comfort of your V1-spring bed. Sit back and enjoy your bottle of complimentary wine, or indulge in a few of the complimentary baked goods that all Oceanview guests receive. 

In the summer, you can take a dip in Galway Bay. If you’re not used to cold-water swimming, then why not give the hotel’s leisure center a visit instead? Here you can comfortably swim in the heated waters of the 15-meter-long indoor pool before relaxing in the hot tub. 

The Bay Brasserie is one of Galway’s best wine restaurants. The restaurant’s sommelier, Andrzej Dasiak, has previously won Ireland’s “Top Sommelier Award,” and you can sip carefully selected wines as you enjoy Peppered Venison Rump, Honey Roasted Duck Leg, or Baked Atlantic Seatrout.

11. Clayton Hotel Galway

You’ll find the Clayton Hotel Galway in Ballybrit, a small suburb around 3 miles away from Galway’s city center. This modern hotel has excellent leisure facilities as well as an on-site bar and restaurant, making this a unique Galway hotel for anyone looking for a comfortable escape from the city itself. 

You’ll love how the rooms at this four-star hotel are super spacious (one of the perks of staying in the suburbs!). If you’re traveling as a family or group, then the large family rooms at the Clayton Hotel Galway are some of the biggest and best in the city. 

All of the 195 rooms and suites at the hotel are contemporary in style and design, featuring bright but minimalist decor alongside modern amenities like flat-screen televisions and climate control systems. You’ll also find the rooms are both practical and comfortable, with luxury King Koil beds, crisp cotton bedding, and spacious work desks and lounging areas. 

Once you’ve settled in, head down to the leisure center for a quick dip in the hotel’s 20-meter-long indoor swimming pool. Swim a few laps, or take some time out to soak up the heat in the sauna. You can work out in the fully equipped fitness center or just take the afternoon off and enjoy a few drinks and a burger at the Enclosure Bar & Bistro. 

Prepared by Head Chef Gareth McGrath, the hotel also serves an excellent Afternoon Tea involving sweet pastries and savory sandwiches. Or, you can reserve a table at The Tribes Restaurant for an evening of traditional Irish cuisine. The dinner menu here features local specialties like Galway Bay Seafood Chowder, Connemara Mussels, and Angus Steak. 

12. Glenlo Abbey Hotel

Follow the River Corrib north from Galway, and soon enough, you’ll reach the beautiful grounds of Glenlo Abbey Estate. 

Dating back to the 1700s, this vast estate was built on the riches of an Anglo-Norman family named the Ffrenches, who were said to have been descended from warriors of William the Conqueror. The estate passed into the hands of another prominent Galway family, the Blakes, before it was turned into the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in the 1980s. Book a stay at this five-star country manor, and you’ll be walking in the footsteps of Galway’s greatest historical families!

Glenlo Abbey Hotel isn’t just about luxury, although there’s plenty of that. Glenlo Abbey Hotel is as much about the pomp and extravagance of aristocracy as it is about the plush king-size beds, down feather pillows, and pillow-topped mattresses that you’ll find in the old-world-inspired boutique bedrooms. 

At Glenlo Abbey Hotel, you can spend your mornings fishing on the estate, walking or cycling along country lanes, or even practicing falconry. There’s a dedicated concierge team ready to book your every travel desire, while in the evenings, you can sit back in a vintage cinema chair and watch classic movies at the hotel’s nostalgic private theater. 

On the grounds, you’ll also notice that Glenlo Abbey Hotel is home to two railway carriages. These railway carriages date back to the 1920s and were originally part of the iconic Orient Express train. Now, they’ve been transformed into the Pullman Restaurant, where you can dine on Inishmore Crab, Salmon Gravlax, and Chicken Terrine in a truly romantic setting. 

If you’re looking for unique Galway hotels, you really can’t go wrong with a stay at Glenlo Abbey Hotel.

That completes our list of the 12 best Galway hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Galway? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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