Don't let its traditional looks deceive you: this whitewashed, thatched inn on the shores of Galway Bay is, in fact, a midsize hotel, decorated with locally made, well-designed furniture, and original crafts, paintings, and sculpture. Guest rooms are medium-size with smallish, cottage-style windows at head height, and modern pine furniture; small paintings of local scenes provide the principal color. If you're lucky you could get a room with a breathtaking view of Galway Bay; less than half have one, so if it matters, ask when booking. The Quilty Room is a large, airy restaurant hung with interesting landscapes by a painter named Quilty. Its menu is French-influenced—try the outstanding tournedos of salmon. Pros: center of village; secure car parking; decent restaurant; choice of other restauraunts and bars nearby. Cons: bar gets very busy at weekends; bigger windows would be nice, to get more of the view.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip