The House Hotel

For a four-star hotel, they need to get a few things sorted. The shower was disappointing, there were marks on the wall and door, and the dressing table had no light. I couldn't find instructions for the coffee machine either. The breakfast fell well short. At the bar there were only about 13 bottles of spirits, and the barman didn't know what a 'hot port' was. The hotel itself is nice, but these details let it down.

The shower was cold on our first day, though after that everything went smoothly. Rooms were clean and comfortable, and staff were friendly enough. Breakfast was okay, nothing special, but it did the job. The best part was the location of The House Hotel, right in the middle of Galway and steps from shops, pubs and restaurants. It worked perfectly for our group since everyone could come and go, drop off shopping bags, or pop back for a nap. A great stay mainly because of where it is.

The room was great, and breakfast was fantastic. The location also made it easy to enjoy the Latin Quarter during our one-night stop. But the check-in left a bad first impression. We’d booked directly with HH months ahead for St Patrick's weekend at €199 a night, expecting Galway to be busy. While we were waiting, two groups without reservations were offered a current special for about €105, nearly half our rate. Staff said we couldn’t switch unless we’d cancelled 48 hours earlier and rebooked. The only option offered was a larger room, and we hadn’t even paid yet. It was a disappointing start to an otherwise enjoyable visit.

Thaisy made our stay at The House Hotel feel special. She greeted us so warmly and shared useful ideas for restaurants and things to do nearby. We had a wonderful time in Galway, and we’ll choose this hotel again whenever we’re back.