Galway Bay Area - Hotels & Guesthouses

Photos: A sampling of accommodations on or near Galway Bay, all in Co. Galway: (top row,  from left) The Twelve Hotel, Barna, and the Connemara Coast Hotel, Furbo; (second row, from left) three guesthouses in Salthill – Marian Lodge,  Ocean Crest and The White House

You can "watch the sun go down on Galway Bay" from many vantage points along the southern and northern shores of the water. Here are a few hotels that offer excellent vistas. The places featured below offer all rooms with private bath/shower (en suite) unless otherwise noted.

PRICE KEY
B&B per person per night

€ - under 50

€€ - 50 to 75

€€€ - 75 to 100

€€€€ - 100 to 150

€€€€€ - over 150

The Twelve Hotel, Main St., Bearna (Barna Village), Co. Galway, tel. 091-597000; e-mail: sales@thetwelvehotel.ie.  Set at the crossroads of Connemara and Galway City with views of Galway Bay across the street, this new boutique-style hotel, opened in early 2007, sits on the site of the old Twelve Pins Bar, a local landmark named after Connemara’s magnificent mountain range. The sign over the front entrance to this hotel says it all “You Have Arrived.” The friendly and helpful staff inside warmly re-enforce the welcome as you step into a setting of  plush furnishings, polished wood floors, modern art and statuary, free-standing mirrors and a well-stocked library.  The 48 air-conditioned guest rooms are equally impressive with hard-wood floors, stylish décor of vibrant colors and textured floral wallpapers, king-size beds, soft lighting, iPod docking stations,  DVD player, flat screen TV, gourmet nibbles, organic toiletries and free internet access, and some rooms have cocktail/wet bar and mini-refrigerator. Public areas include The West restaurant, The Pins bar, (with frequent traditional music sessions), a champagne bar, and an on-site bakery. Guests can also arrange for in-room spa treatments; and free underground or outdoor parking is provided. It’s a chic oasis in a small waterside village setting, yet less than 5 miles west from the buzz of Galway City. For real deals, check for special internet offers. €€ to €€€  Web site: www.thetwelvehotel.ie

Connemara Coast Hotel, Furbo, Co. Galway, tel. 091-592108; fax 091-592065; e-mail: sinnott@iol.ie. With Galway Bay at its back door, this modern 4-star hotel enjoys a picturesque coastline setting, yet it is only 6 miles west of Galway City. A member of the Irish-owned Sinnott Group of hotels, it is designed to blend contemporary comforts with a friendly Connemara country atmosphere. The public areas enjoy views of the bay as well as the Aran Islands and Clare hills. Most of the 113 guest rooms offer picture-window water views as well as a homey décor and up-to-date amenities; some units have turf-burning fireplaces and private verandas. Facilities include a bi-level restaurant and a bar with traditional musical entertainment nightly in the summer and on weekends during the rest of the year, as well as a leisure centre with indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam bath, gym, and two all-weather tennis courts.  €€ to €€€€   Web site:  www.sinnotthotels.com

Galway Bay Hotel, The Promenade, Salthill, Galway, tel. 091-520520; fax 091-520530; e-mail: info@galwaybayhotel.net. Do you want to "watch the sun go down on Galway Bay"? Here is the hotel for you — picturesquely set on the Promenade at Salthill, directly overlooking the famous bay and providing expansive views of the Clare Coast and Aran Islands as well. With an attractive 4-story lemon-colored facade, the hotel offers a variety of facilities including an ornate circular lobby, glass-enclosed conservatory, open deck balcony, restaurant, and lounge bar, all facing unobstructed views of the bay. In addition, there is a leisure center with heated swimming pool, steam room, and sauna, plus a library, self-service café, and a traditional in-house pub. The 153 guestrooms, most of which offer views of the bay, are fitted to the highest standard including cherrywood furniture, interactive televisions, internet access, and bathrooms with power showers. €€ to €€€€  Web site:  www.galwaybayhotel.net

Marian Lodge, Knocknacarra Rd., Upr. Salthill, Co. Galway (tel. 091-521678); email: celine@iol.ie.  Set within a block of the Promenade and views of Galway Bay, this four-star guesthouse has been described as a “home from home.” Hostess Celine Molloy offers 6 non-smoking guest rooms including large family rooms, each with cable TV, clock radio, orthopedic beds, hairdryer, coffee/tea-maker. It is also a few steps away from a bus stop, for quick trips on the bus into Galway City. Closed: 19-29 December. €  Web site: www.marian-lodge.com

Merriman Inn, Main St., Kinvara, Co. Galway, tel. 091-638222; fax 091-637686; e-mail: merrimanhotel@eircom.net. Named after the famous schoolteacher-poet Brian Merriman, this 3-star hotel is situated in the heart of a small town on Galway Bay - on the border of north Clare, and a good base for visiting The Burren. It is laid out in the format of a two- and three-story cottage with a fully thatched roof, one of the largest of its kind in Ireland. The decor inside blends a rustic atmosphere of open fireplaces and traditional furnishings with commissioned artwork by Irish sculptor John Coll and local artist Joseph Quilty. Facilities include a contemporary restaurant and a traditional-style bar, M'Asal Beag Dubh, named after Padraic O Conaire's short story, and often features traditional music and storytelling in the evenings. There are 32 guestrooms with pine furnishings and modern amenities; many units have views of Galway Bay. It's an ideal hotel for visitors who seek old world charm, literary connections, or who just want to watch the sun go down on Galway Bay. Closed: 23 - 27 Dec. €€  Web site:  www.merrimanhotel.com

Ocean Crest House, 6 Ocean Wave, Seapoint Promenade, Salthill, Co. Galway; tel. 091-589028; fax 091-529399; e-mail: oceanbb@iol.ie. For travelers who want to stay in Salthill yet be close to downtown Galway, this 3-star guesthouse is a good choice. It is situated at the east end of Salthill and across the street from the Promenade so most of the 9 modern guestrooms have views of the bay. Each room has multi-channel TV, phone, garment presser, hair dryer, and hospitality tray. Closed: 24-28 Dec. €  Web site:  www.oceanbb.com

West Winds, 5 Ocean Wave, Salthill, Co. Galway; tel./fax 091-520223; e-mail: westwinds@eircom.net. Situated across from the Promenade, this modern 3-star guesthouse faces Galway Bay at the east end of Salthill, within walking distance to Galway City. Rita and Patrick Joyce offer 8 guestrooms, each with cable TV, hairdryer, tea/coffee-maker, and bathrooms with power showers. Closed: 1 Nov. - mid-March. €  Web site:  http://travelaccommodation.co.uk/westwind.htm

White House, 2 Ocean Wave, Salthill, Co. Galway; tel./fax 091-529399; e-mail: whitehouseadsi@eircom.net. A sister property and geographic neighbor to Ocean Crest House (above), this 3-star purpose-built guesthouse faces Galway Bay and is situated at the east end of Salthill closest to Galway City. There are 6 spacious guestrooms, each with multi-channel TV, hairdryer, hospitality tray, and other little homey extras such as comfortable armchairs and tables. Send a postcard home and tell your friends you stayed at the "White House." Closed: 24-28 Dec. € Web site: www.oceanbb.com

Galway Bay Area — Salthill B&Bs
Galway Bay Area — Spiddal B&Bs
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