We tend to prefer the smaller towns in Ireland but are considering 2 nights in Galway. That siad, should we choose a B & B or Hotel near the pedestrian area(and how hard is it to get a car into the B & B) or choose a place farther out?

I am surprised no one answered this one for you yet... I can't recommend any hotels for you, but there are some lovely B&Bs in the Salt Hill area, some even within walking distance of the city center.

We stayed in a B&B just across the Wolfe Tone Bridge and walked into the city easily. Buses run regularly from Salthill if you stay too far out to walk.

Thanks allisonm. I also was wondering where all the "Ireland" people were. I'll check out the Salt Hill area and the Wolfe Tone Bridge area.

Galway is a lovely city but Salthill is def the place to stay. There are some really nice hotels along the promenade and it is only about a 20 min walk into the city centre. The Jury's hotel in Galway City is also nice and it is at the end of the main pedestrian street full of bars and shops.

I think you should stay closer in to downtown Galway. We liked Griffin Lodge B&B, just a few minutes walk to downtown pubs, shops, restaurants, and has car parking. Great breakfast and friendly staff. A 20 plus minute walk from Salthill with the ever present possibility of rain....not my idea of fun!

I would opt to stay in the centre of town if the budget permits. On our last overnight there, we stayed at Hotel Meyrick on Eyre Square which is fine but we were disappointed not to get a room in The House, which looked nice and homey when we wandered in. It is also very central.
Jury's Inn is nearby but seemed a little overpopulated by loud hen parties, in town to have fun.
Salthill would be just a little remote, particularly if you were going to stay late in town.

Very impressed with the food on offer in Cava, a place that does an interesting line on Spanish tapas; the smaller plates gives you flexibility to eat as much or as little as you want.
Ard Bia at Nimmo's is very close to The House as is McDonaghs, a combination of take-out/sit down fish restaurant.

Tigh Neachtain just up the street is the place to squeeze into for a pint, before or after you dine.

Most hotels offer concessionary rates for car parking in the public multistory car parks in the city centre.

I would opt to stay in the centre of town if the budget permits. On our last overnight there, we stayed at Hotel Meyrick on Eyre Square which is fine but we were disappointed not to get a room in The House, which looked nice and homey when we wandered in. It is also very central.
Jury's Inn is nearby but seemed a little overpopulated by loud hen parties, in town to have fun.
Salthill would be just a little remote, particularly if you were going to stay late in town.

Very impressed with the food on offer in Cava, a place that does an interesting line on Spanish tapas; the smaller plates gives you flexibility to eat as much or as little as you want.
Ard Bia at Nimmo's is very close to The House as is McDonaghs, a combination of take-out/sit down fish restaurant.

Tigh Neachtain just up the street is the place to squeeze into for a pint, before or after you dine.

Most hotels offer concessionary rates for car parking in the public multistory car parks in the city centre.

I highly recommend Marless House in Salthill. We stayed there this past October and loved it. We drove to Galway, only a 5 minute drive, and parked in the parking garage right there next to Jury's Inn. We found the downtown area a little too congested with local parking and foot traffic to have stayed there. We had NO problems parking our car at Marlesss House, and they are right on the bus line. You would not go wrong staying with Mary at this lovely B&B.

Both of the times that I've stayed IN Galway, I've stayed at the Jurys Inn. It's an older hotel that reminds me a bit of an older Holiday Inn -- rather unremarkable.

BUT --- It sits at one edge of the Wolfe Tone Bridge, just opposite of the Spanish Arch on Galway Bay AND has an attatched (but extra, though discounted fee) Parking garage that exits onto the pedestrian Quay (Kay) Street. It is only 100 feet or so from the Quay Pub and the Claddaugh Museum, at the corner of Shop Street.

http://www.galwayhotels.jurysinns.com/

Bob