I will be taking my mother to Ireland in April. I plan on staying in Galway the whole time as it would be easier to do day trips out of the city and I don't plan on renting a car.
Does any one have B&B or hotel suggestions for Galway. I would like to stay in the city center close to the bus depot area.
I've stayed at The Four Seasons B&B on College Road (mentioned in Rick's Ireland book) several times. It is a 10 minute walk from this B&B to Eyre Square and the bus/train depot. The hosts, Eddie & Helen Fitgerald, are very nice and they feed you way too much for breakfast.
Galway is relatively small, so it's pretty easy to get around on foot and a cab ride to just about anywhere else doesn't cost that much.
If you want to be right on the square, the Merryck (formerly the Great Southern) is the big, fancy hotel. Skeffington Arms is also on the square and there is a Jurys hotel over near the waterfront.
Check TripAdvisor.com if you want to read traveller reviews or see photographs of these hotels or B&Bs.
Have you thought of self-catering? You can get apartments in Galway City or Salthill which are well w/in walking distance from City Centre and are on the bus lines. The bus lines are great in Galway... many bus lines and easy to get around. The main Bus/train terminal is right off Eyer Square.
My cousin and his wife have a B&B in Lower Salthill, however, I did the self-catering in Galway my last visit... and loved it! Family is nice, but sometimes you just want to kick off your shoes and relax and not have to entertain or be entertained. The funny thing was that we ended up w/my local relations'our' place for a little 'craic' (fun).
Just go to google and type in Self-catering galway ireland and just start looking.
PS: I know of some really good shops in galway.
I agree with Ceidleh. My family of five stayed at The Four Seasons B&B and found that it was a short walk to the centre. My boys loved the Fitzgeralds. Eddie entertained my 11, 13, 15 year olds with lots of stories. When I came down with a minor cold, my husband was going out to the pharmacy to pick up something but Eddie made a hot tottie for me and I felt great in the morning. Eddie and Helen even offered to watch my boys so my husband and I could enjoy an evening together. Now that's nice people! And yes, the breakfasts are huge and yummy.
stay at the Petra House in Galway. I have stayed there 2 years in a row and the owners are the most wonderful people I met in all of Ireland. They are very close to the city, and the rooms are clean, comfortable and the breakfasts are delicious. I will stay there every time I go to Galway. Don't miss a day trip to the Aran Islands while you are there! Have a great trip!
