The Coach House Hotel

Once used as a Guinness depot for storing kegs of the "black stuff" ready for distribution to the Galway area, this stone-built coach house dates back over a century, though only opened as a hotel in 2007. Entry to the property is under the original arch that coaches would have driven through. The small, simple reception area comprises little beyond a simple check-in desk and the usual array of tourist information leaflets. Interiors are modern and well-maintained, and a single lift services the hotel's two floors. Off the lobby are doors leading to the hotel's restaurant, Basilico, a cozy and pleasant space decorated in neutral tones accented with paintings of Italy, wood floors, and a brick bar. Outside the front of the building is the restaurant's attractive stone terrace, with red picnic tables and a chalkboard menu. There's also a lively, buzzing bar in the attached stables building with exposed original stonework. Clientele tend to be a blend of tourists touring the west coast as well as business travellers with meetings in the various nearby business and technology parks.

The hotel is located on the main street in the small village of Oranmore, an eight minute's walk from the local bus station and a 15-minute drive from Galway city center. Behind the hotel is a historic graveyard, and the 15th-century Oranmore Castle that overlooks Galway Bay is just five minutes away on foot. Business travelers will find the Deerpark, Westlink, and Oranmore business parks all within a mile of the hotel. It's also just a 10-minute drive from Galway Airport and the M6 motorway which connects to Dublin in two hours. 

The 16 unfussy rooms all have Irish names decorating their doors, and contemporary decor that includes modern light-wood furnishings, wood floors, subtle floral-print curtains, and white bedding accented with colorful bed runners and pillows. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, free daily newspaper, and tea/coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Bathrooms are clean and functional with step-in showers or shower/tub combos, as well as hairdryers and toiletries. Family Rooms are available with space for two adults and two or three children. Some noise from the bar can occasionally be heard in the rooms.

A decent full Irish breakfast (or other a la carte options) is served in the bar area but is not always included in the rate. The popular bar shows sporting events on a widescreen TV, has an open fire, and offers lunch and light meals. There's also the Basilico restaurant that serves excellent Italian food and has a wood-fired clay pizza oven. Both the bar and the Basilico restaurant are open to non-guests and as such can be busy, as can the free car park.