the g Hotel & Spa Galway

The g Hotel is housed in a steel-and-glass building evocative of the Internationalist Style. The interiors are designed by Philip Treacy, designer of hats for Hollywood and British royalty at William and Kate's wedding. Guests enter a stark black lobby with a tank of sea horses and a seashell-shaped white wall behind the concierge desk. Some may find the decor over the top, but it's indisputably theatrical and fanciful with explosions of color. Highlights include a catwalk-style hallway with raspberry red carpet, a grand salon with 300 mirror balls, a gentlemen's lounge with gilt-framed mirrors and rich blue walls, and a ladies lounge done in hot pink with Andy Warhol-style camouflage upholstered furniture. The fine-dining restaurant showcases chairs in violet, red, yellow, and light blue. The hotel draws a well-heeled international and American tourist crowd as well as locals enjoying a special occasion.

The g is located in the largely residential Wellpark neighborhood of north Galway, overlooking Lough Atalia. A retail complex is to the rear, a movie theater is next door, and a pub and children's playground are across the road. The hotel is found on the Dublin Road thoroughfare, where it intersects with R338 road. Galway Sportsground (home of the Connacht Rugby team) is an eight-minute walk southwest. The g's location is not that convenient for accessing the city center however. Eyre Square, Eyre Square Centre shopping mall, and the Galway train and bus station are a 15- to 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride southwest. (Buses stop right outside the hotel.) Shop Street is about a 20- to 25-minute walk southwest. The area housing the Spanish Arch, Medieval City Walls, Galway City Museum, and pubs and nightlife is a five-minute drive or 15-minute bus ride southwest. Galway Cathedral is an eight-minute drive southwest while Galway Airport is a 15-minute drive northeast.

The g's 101 non-smoking guest units are on three floors, with free cupcakes to be found at check-in. Rooms are spacious and range from 330 to 540 square feet, coming in Superior, Deluxe, Luxury, Junior Suite, and Specialty Suite categories. Spaces aren’t overly luxurious but do have an upscale, minimalist feel, offering a restrained white, beige, tan, and brown color palette with wood furniture and trims and colorful wall art. Rooms all come with temperature control, desks, laptop-compatible safes, bathrobes and slippers, coffee/tea makers, free Wi-Fi, plasma TVs (some 42-inch) with satellite channels, CD/DVD players with library, and plush beds. Turndown service is a luxurious extra touch. Some rooms also have a combination of minibars, living areas, and Lough Atalia views. Junior Suites feature open gas fires, designer bathtubs, bathroom TVs, and bespoke artworks. Specialty Suites have elements like atrium windows, antique mirrors, dining areas, and private enclosed terraces. Spacious and well-lighted bathrooms are done in marble and slate and have premium products. Some bathrooms also have separate baths and walk-in power showers. 

Rooms are generally clean, but a few spaces could use revamping to address loose light switches, scratches on wallpaper, worn curtains, water marks on wood furniture, and stains on cream-colored carpeting. Also keep in mind some double beds are two single beds pushed together.

The g features a wide array of property facilities, topped by its superb two-floor spa that offers several massage and treatment rooms (access for a fee), plus a crystal steam room, rock sauna, ice fountain, vitality pool with water therapy jets, and relaxation room overlooking a rooftop Zen garden. The large fitness center gets significant natural light and has a wide range of high-quality cardio and weight equipment along with flat-screen TVs. The excellent Gigi's Restaurant has been awarded 2 AA Culinary Rosettes, serving innovative Irish cuisine with local ingredients and seasonal produce. Menu items include potted fresh and smoked salmon, venison pigeon breast and wild rice, wild boar stew with chestnuts, and fillet of sea bream, with an excellent dessert menu also on hand. The a la carte and buffet breakfasts (for a fee) offer items like breads, fruits, cheeses, porridge, eggs Benedict, and typical hot Irish fare.

The main bar serves inventive cocktails and is a fashionable hangout for locals while the Art Deco bar has receptions and private cocktail demonstrations. An afternoon tea features homemade pastries, scones with jam, open-finger sandwiches, tea, and Champagne, and the three chic Signature Lounges are relaxing spots where guests can read a newspaper, use the free Wi-Fi, and order light fare. The hotel also has a business center, concierge service, bell service, and 24-hour room service. Free underground parking is available at the rear of the property, with valet parking offered (for a fee).