Fodor's Expert Review Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa

Editor's Note: This location is reported to be under new ownership and therefore this review may contain inaccuracies.

The Radisson Blu remains a firm favorite of both business and leisure travelers, with its striking contemporary design overlooking Lough Atalia, an inflow of Galway Bay, a stone's throw from Eyre Square. Potted 20-foot bamboo sways at the entrance, while four palm trees grow in the spacious reception area. Glass-walled elevators divide the lobby from the bar and pull you upstairs while delivering breathtaking views of Galway Bay. Rooms are spacious, with fully tiled bathrooms, restful, unfussy color schemes, Scandinavian-design contemporary furniture, and comfortable sitting areas. Double-glazing and altitude (starting on the third story) insulate the rooms from noise even on the loudest Galway night. The Atrium lounge and bar, its triple-height windows framing views of the water, is a popular lunch spot and buzzes with life from early to late, with people overflowing on to the large terrace with its views of the sea and the distant hills on long summer evenings. Also overlooking the Lough, the spacious blue-and-white Marinas restaurant has a varied menu including local seafood, while Raw, on the fourth floor, offers "sushi in the sky."