Clayton Hotel Galway

Housed in a boxy gray and white building with two wings, the Clayton Hotel Galway looks a little impersonal from the outside. It is contemporary and business-oriented throughout, with decor and amenities to match. A huge glass wall overlooking the round driveway makes the main reception area bright, while red ceiling lamps and a rug in plum hues are contemporary touches. A wooden staircase leads to the mezzanine, and off to the side is the door to a casual bistro popular with business travelers. The hotel’s location makes it a natural pick for those attending meetings in the adjacent industrial area, and its large ballroom makes it a popular wedding venue as well. A number of tour operators bring medium-sized groups here, and the property is generally busy. 

The hotel is located directly off the main road to Galway, in an industrial park home to warehouses, a handful of shops, and a couple of fast-food joints. It is not a convenient locale for those looking to explore Galway’s main attractions on foot, but there is a bus stop right outside the hotel and the ride to the center takes about 30 minutes. Rush hours see heavy traffic in the area, so guests planning to go into town may want to avoid peak times. Major attractions such as Eyre Square, Galway City Museum, the Hall of the Red Earl, and Galway Cathedral are a 15- to 25-minute drive away. Galway Airport is about a 10-minute drive, while Shannon Airport can be reached in about an hour. Dublin is about two-and-a-half hours away.

The hotel has 195 rooms in categories ranging from Standard Rooms to Executive Suites and Family Rooms. All have plush mattresses, crisp white linens, duvets, olive green or red bed runners and matching throw pillows, and contemporary wooden furniture. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, air-conditioning, and hairdryers. Long wooden desks are convenient for business travelers, and a small area with two chairs and a table offer additional seating space. Executive Suites are located on the fourth floor and offer a few extra perks, such as king beds, mini-fridges, underfloor heating in bathrooms, and large tubs with rainfall showerheads. Family Rooms can sleep up to two adults and three kids, and some are interconnected. Accessible Rooms have wider doors, emergency assistance alarms, and grab rails in the bathroom. 

Tribes Restaurant is the hotel’s fine-dining option. It serves an excellent Irish and international menu made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and paired with quality wines. Enclosure Bar and Bistro is a more casual option, but food is just average. Businesspeople fill the on-site coffee shop throughout the day, making it a popular spot for casual meetings. The fitness center has cardio and strength-training machines and offers access to a sauna, a steam room, and a three-lane indoor pool with swim lessons. Although it mostly caters to business travelers, the hotel features a couple of convenient family-friendly amenities, including babysitting services and a kids’ club open only during school holidays. There are 11 fully equipped meeting rooms and a large ballroom that can be subdivided into several rooms for smaller gatherings. Free Wi-Fi and free outdoor parking are also available.