Best Hotels In Galway: 22 Gorgeous Galway Hotels Perfect For A Weekend Break

If you’re in search of the best hotels in Galway, you’ve landed in the right place.

County Galway is a mighty place to escape to for an adventurous weekend (see our Galway road trip guide) or for a chilled break away, regardless of budget.

Yes, there are some insanely expensive places to stay in Galway, but there’s also some cheap and cheerful spots that won’t break the bank, too.

In the guide below, we’re going to take you through the best hotels Galway has to offer, from hotels by the sea to luxury spa hotels and more.

Related Galway hotel guides

• 17 quirky places to go glamping in Galway
• 7 of the most incredible spa hotels in Galway
• The fanciest luxury accommodation and 5 star hotels in Galway
• 15 of the most unique Airbnbs in Galway
• 13 scenic places to go camping in Galway

The best hotels in Galway (our favourites)

This guide contains everything from the best hotels in Galway City and cheap hotels to stay in to boutique hotels and more.

Note: As a Booking.com affiliate we make a small commission if you book via a link below. You won’t pay extra, but it helps us pay the bills (cheers if you do – we greatly appreciate it).

1. Cashel House Hotel

First up is one of the lesser-know Galway hotels – Cashel House Hotel! You’ll find this little gem just down the road from Roundstone in Galway.

This fine spot dates back to the 19th-century country and it boasts a stylish interior along with over 50 acres of landscaped gardens.

It also offers guests views of the beautiful Cashel Bay. Cashel House is one of several dog friendly Galway hotels in this guide, and they even have a resident Jack Russell called Sammy. 

Check prices + see more photos here

2. Ballynahinch Castle

If you’re in serarch of the most unique hotels Galway has to offer, look no further than the fairytale-like Ballynahinch Castle – one of the few castle hotels in Galway.

Situated in Connemara on a private estate that boasts walking trails, lush woodlands, Ballynahinch is one of the finest Irish castle hotels.

Rooms at Ballynahinch are spacious, luxuriously decorated and boast gorgeous views from each room. The hotel is home to several restaurants and it’s close to many of the best things to do in Connemara.

Check prices + see more photos here

3. Aran Islands Hotel

You’ll find our next hotel, The Aran Islands Hotel, on the largest of the Aran Islands – Inis Mor, where it’s situated right next to the sea.

With some rooms offering mighty views of Kileaney Bay, this place is one is a great base to exploring Inis Mor Island from.

The hotels has an on-site restaurant and a pub and excellent reviews (4.5/5 from 360 reviews on Google at the time of writing). 

Check prices + see more photos here

4. Galway Bay Hotel

There’s loooooads of hotels in Salthill, but the best of the bunch, in our opinion, is the brilliant Galway Bay Hotel.

This 4 star hotel overlooks the beautiful Galway Bat and boasts an AA Rosette Bay Brasserie (I’m not sure what that is, but it sounds good!).

The rooms are bright and comfortable and the hotel is finely located a short walk from some of the best things to do in Salthill.

Check prices + see more photos here

5. Oranmore Lodge Hotel

Oranmore in Galway often gets overlooked as a base to explore the county from, which is a shame, as it’s a brilliant little town that’s close to both Galway City and the Burren.

The hotel has been running for over 150 years and guests can nip into the leisure and health facilities which includes a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna.

The hotel has 67 bedrooms, each one elegant, spacious and beautifully decorated. If you’re in search of hotels in Galway with swimming pools, this is a solid option. 

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6. Foyles Hotel (Clifden)

Clifden is a brilliant base to explore Connemara National Park and the surrounding from, and our favourite hotel in the village is Foyle’s.

Foyle’s has recently been redesigned and boasts 25 finely furnished en-suite rooms. The reviews online are excellent and it’s right in the centre of the village.

Which means you can stroll to the many lively pubs and some of the best restaurants in Clifden. There are other hotels in Clifden well-worth a look, too!

Check prices + see more photos here

The best luxury and 5 star hotels in Galway

The next section of our guide to the best hotels in Galway is all about luxury hotels and 5 star stays (you can find lots more swanky Galway hotels in our guide to the best 5 star hotels in Galway).

Below, you’ll find well-known Galway hotels, like the fabulous Glenlo Abbey, to lesser-known hotels that still pack a fine punch.

1. The G Hotel

If you’re happy to spend a few quid, get yourself to the G. This place isn’t cheap by any means, but it’s one of the finest 5 star hotels in Ireland.

Designed by the celebrated milliner Phillip Treacy, the G Hotel has everything from beautifully decorated rooms to an award-winning spa and restaurant on offer.

The rooms are spacious, fitted with comfortable beds and some, like the one in the photo above, have gorgeous sea views.

Check prices + see more photos here

2. Glenlo Abbey

Next up, in our opinion, is one of the best hotels in Galway if you’re really looking for a weekend away that you won’t forget any time soon.

Finely situated on 200 acres at the edge of the waters of Lough Corrib, the 5 star Glenlo Abbey dates back to the 18th century and boasts 50 fancy rooms.

Guests can drop into several on-site restaurants and there’s also a magnificent estate to explore during the day.

Check prices + see more photos here

3. Sea Breeze Lodge

OK – so, this next place isn’t hotel, but it could easily goe toe-to-toe with several of the places mentioned above and below.

Welcome to the mighty Sea Breeze Lodge, one of the finest of the many B&Bs in Galway (look at the views from the room above!).

Offering stunning views of Galway Bay, Sea Breeze Lodge is located on the main coast road in Salthill and has an “International Five Star Award”.

Check prices + see more photos here

Dog friendly hotels in Galway

Yes, there are several brilliant dog-friendly hotels in Galway (a handful of which are regarded as some of the best pet friendly hotels in Ireland).

Below, you’ll find a mixed of dog-friendly Galway hotels – just make sure you check in advance to see what the Ts&Cs are for bringing your pooch.

1. The Ardilaun Hotel

Next up in our guide to the best hotels Galway has to offer is the 4-star Ardilaun Hotel, located a handy 1km from Galway City.

Previously a country mansion, the Ardilaun is now a firm favourite amongst those visiting the county, and it has racked up rave reviews online over the years.

The Ardilaun has rooms next to garden areas which are used for guests visiting with their dog. There’s also a playground nearby that he/she can hop about in.

Check prices + see more photos here

2. The Twelve Hotel (Galway)

The finely-restored 19th-century Twelve Hotel in Barna is another grand little base for those exploring the county.

Located a handy 3-minute ramble from the pier, the Twelve Hotel offers a ‘Pampered Pet Program’ that’s designed to ensure that your pets can soak up some 5-star service.

The hotel itself is finely kept, with modern rooms, top-notch service and several cosy chill-outs spaces on offer.

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3. Lough Inagh Lodge 

Although Lough Inagh Lodge is one of the top Galway hotels based on online reviews, it tends to get overlooked in many Galway guides.

This is a beautiful, award-winning dog friendly hotel that’s located to the west of Galway City, on the shores of one of the most spectacular lakes in the county – Lough Inagh.

The property is surrounded by the Mam Turks and the Twelve Bens (which boast some of the best hikes in Galway) mountain ranges and the rooms are cosy, well-equipped and nicely furnished.

Check prices + see more photos here

The best spa hotels in Galway

If you’re in search of spa hotels in Galway you’re in luck – this gorgeous corner of Ireland is home to plenty of places that are perfect for a pamper.

Below, you’ll find a handful of hotels that are perfect for chilling in for a night or two with the Galmount, in particular, being a solid spot for a getaway.

1. The Galmont Hotel and Spa

The Galmont Hotel is located right in the thick of things in Galway City, a short stroll from many of the city’s top attractions.

It’s home to the award-winning Spirit One Spa, 2 restaurants (Marinas and Coopers) a large outdoor terrace area offering views of Lough Atalia and much more.

This is a great spot to base yourself from for a weekend and it’s also one of a handful of hotels in Galway with swimming pools in this guide.

Check prices + see more photos here

2. Delphi Resort Hotel

Next up in our guide to the best hotels Galway has to offer is the very unique Delphi Resort, a place that’s perfect for those of you looking for an active break away.

Guests to Delphi can combine outdoor activities with a bit of chill times at the Delphi Spa. The resort is located at the centre of the magnificent Delphi Valley, not far from the little village of Leenane.

There’s lots of things to do in Connemara nearby, including the best drive in Ireland – the Leenane to Louisburgh Drive.

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3. Raheen Woods Hotel

The family-run Raheen Woods Hotel can be found in Athenry, set amongst a tranquil woodland setting, a handy, 15-minute spin from the city,

This four star luxury hotel has plush rooms, marble halls and beautiful gardens to complement your spa treatments.

The Tranquillity Leisure and Spa offers a full menu of beautifying therapies designed to relax and nourish body and soul.

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4. Connemara Coast Hotel

You’ll find the Connemara Coast Hotel on the shores of Galway Bay, where it boasts a luxury spa, Therapy Rooms and plenty more.

This award winning 4 star hotel offers the best of both worlds – easy access to the city (15 minutes away) and Connemara. It’s also right next to the sea!

This is one of the best spa hotels Galway has to offer if you fancy exploring during the day – it’s a stone’s throw from Connemara National Park (give the Diamond Hill hike a go!).

Check prices + see more photos here

Best hotels in Galway City

Our next section tackles the best hotels in Galway City. Now, we’ve mentioned several Galway City hotels above already, so these are just some additional options to dig into.

Below, you’ll find popular Galway hotels, like Jurys Inn, to lesser-know places to stay that still pack a fine punch.

1. Jurys Inn Galway

Next up in our guide to the best hotels Galway has to offer is the brilliant Jurys Inn. This is one of the few Galway hotels that I’ve stayed in in recent years.

We stayed here during a visit to Galway 2 Christmases ago, and it was brilliant from start to finish, from the service to the cleanliness of the rooms.

It’s also located a handy 5-minute stroll from Galway Cathedral and Galway Train Station, this spot overlooks Galway Bay and the Spanish Arch.

Check prices + see more photos here

2. The Western Hotel

The Western Hotel is a family-run hotel in the heart of Galway, a stone’s throw from Eyre Square, Galway City Museum and much more.

I’ve heard off a few people lately that the Western is one of the best hotels in Galway City for those visiting for work.

Mainly due to its proximity to the bus and train station but also due to the nearby gym and the varied menu in the hotel’s restaurant.

Check prices + see more photos here

3. Skeffington Arms Hotel

If you’ve ever spent a weekend roaming around Galway’s many different pubs, then you’re probably familiar with the Skeff.

Overlooking Eyre Square and close to all of the city’s main attractions, The Skeffington Arms Hotel boasts bright, modern rooms, a vibrant bar, and a restaurant.

The Skeff is the perfect place to watch a match. If you’re visiting Galway at the weekend, check out what matches are on and try and catch one while you’re there.

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4. The Harbour Hotel

The Harbour is another of the many Galway hotels that’s racked up rave reviews online over the years.

Located on the waterfront in the heart of Galway City, this 4 Star hotel is known for it’s top-notch service, comfortable bedrooms, and central location.

The hotel’s restaurant, Dillisk, is reputed to dish out a fine feed, also.

Check prices + see more photos here

5. Flannery’s Hotel

I’ve stayed in Flannery’s Hotel twice over the years. I’ve a bit of a love-hate relationship with this place.

It tends to (not always!) be one of the cheaper hotels in Galway, price wise, but it’s a bit outside the city, so you’ll need to grab a taxi.

Based on my last couple of visits, I can vouch for the rooms being clean and the food from the bar being decent. The rooms are also modern and spacious.

Check prices + see more photos here

FAQs About Accommodation in Galway

Since publishing our guide to the best Galway attractions many years ago, we’ve have heaps (literally!) of questions asking about the best Galway hotels.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.