Unlike the nearby city, there aren’t a huge number of hotels in Salthill.
However, what the town does have to offer is a handful of hotels that punch well above their weight combined with a majestic seaside setting.
The buzzy little town of Salthill makes a great base to explore the county from and you’ll find the best places to stay in the area below.
The best hotels in Salthill
This guide contains everything from the best hotels in Salthill to cheap places to stay in Salthill in you’re on a budget.
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1. Galway Bay Hotel
Whatever the weather, few Salthill hotels can go toe-to-toe with the excellent Galway Bay Hotel.
Nestled on the Salthill Promenade, the 4-star Galway Bay Hotel offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and was voted Best Irish Hotel in 2021.
Guests can enjoy a recently refurbished leisure centre with a 15-metre heated swimming pool, a well-equipped gym, and the award-winning Bay Brasserie.
The Atlantic Bar provides a cosy Irish pub experience, while Pier 56 serves light lunches and desserts.
Accommodation options range from classic rooms to luxurious suites, with some offering ocean views and others overlooking the Circle of Life Garden, all featuring modern amenities for a comfortable stay.
2. The Ardilaun Hotel
The Ardilaun is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked of the many excellent hotels in Galway (especially for pet owners!).
This 4-star gem is set in the Taylor’s Hill area, just minutes from Galway City and Salthill.
The hotel boasts a leisure club with a heated pool, a gym, and dining options including the award-winning Camilaun Restaurant, Blazers Bar, and a garden terrace with heated seating.
Guests can choose from classic rooms, spacious family suites, and pet-friendly garden rooms with patio access.
3. Salthill Hotel
The Salthill Hotel is a 4-star retreat located on the iconic Salthill promenade, offering panoramic views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills.
The hotel features the Ocean Fitness Health Club with a 25-metre indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, gym, and relaxation areas, ideal for both relaxation and fitness enthusiasts.
Dining options include the elegant Prom Restaurant for classic meals and a lounge bar for light bites and drinks. The various pubs and places to eat in Salthill are a short stroll away.
Accommodation ranges from classic doubles to spacious family rooms and luxurious seaview suites, all designed with contemporary elegance and comfort in mind.
4. Clybaun Hotel
The Clybaun Hotel is one of a few Salthill Hotels with a “Traveler’s Choice” award which is given to the Top 10% of hotels on Trip Advisor.
The location sets the tone with easy access to both Galway City and Salthill, being roughly 4.5km in each direction.
Friendly staff, excellent food, and accommodation together with gym, swimming pool and an outdoor jacuzzi make this hotel a favourite with couples and families alike.
If you’re not driving, you can take a 15-minute bus ride into Galway or walk to Salthill. It’s also well-placed for day trips around Connemara.
5. Sea Breeze Lodge
On the main coast road in Salthill, Sea Breeze Lodge is the first bed-and-breakfast in the West of Ireland to be approved for Trip Advisor’s Five Star Award, given to the Top 1% of properties.
It’s for this reason that the Sea Breeze Lodge is widely regarded as one of the best B&Bs in Galway!
The lodge features spacious rooms with Super King-size beds, private balconies, and modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and elegant en-suite bathrooms with walk-in rain showers.
Guests can enjoy a relaxing stay with a full Irish breakfast each morning, free off-street parking, and easy access to local attractions like the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.
6. Galway Bay Sea View Apartments
These apartments have enormous sea views from the living room and master bedroom.
If you’re in the Penthouse, you have access to the roof terrace and otherwise you can admire the views from your balcony.
All the apartments have 2 bathrooms and have well-stocked kitchens, including an Espresso machine, if you want to be self-catering.
If none of the above options suite, there are also plenty of hostels in Galway to choose from!
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.