We will be staying in Galway May 26 and 27. We're looking for a hotel close to the center of the city (actually, close to pub music for DH)so we don't have to drive after enjoying music etc.

Has anyone stayed at the Forster Court Hotel? It gets good reviews on TA. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
el

We stayed at the Victoria Hotel in Eyre Square. My records say that we paid $198 for one night. That seems a bit pricey to me.

I have used both. The Forster Court is nicer, but no so much nicer that it would justify a much higher price (I'd give it a modest premium). The Radisson is also close by, and I have heard good reports of it. They all offer fairly standard modern rooms. In your place, I'd simply look for the best package.

I take it that it's the etc. rather than the music that would deter your husband from driving.

Definitely the etc. One can hardly hang out in a pub listening to music without imbibing -- it would be antisocial

el

Park House Hotel would be my pick. Excellent hotel.

The Great Southern is now the Meyrick and is on Eyre Square. The Park hotel or the new trendy House Hotel are also great centrally located. Make sure you go to The Crane Bar for live music and McDonaghs for their fish and chips. Both are musts when I go to Galway! Have a great trip.

If you're not insistent on 'Hotel,' there are some nice B&B's in the Salthill (beach) area of Galway. It may be a 1-km hike to the Latin Quarter, but there's a bus.
In Galway's pedestrian area Taaffes Pub usually has Trad Irish Music alternating with Og Caeli across the way.
I don't know about May 26 & 27. Ennis' Fleadh Nua ends on the 26th this year and many of the Musicians may be down there for the Finals.

You should give a price range maybe as there are different places for each price range...if money was no problem I would say stay the the "G" hotel! Radisson I thought was rubbish for what we paid for and not as upmarket as they made it out to be Can't say on the others. There are tons of B&B's as well

Thanks for all the suggestions -- I'll check them out.

SiobhanP, I'm in the under 200 euros range, preferably well under.

I'm open to either a B&B or a hotel. My major concern is being close -- I can't walk more than about 100 yards at a time, which is a bit limiting.

NEDSIRELAND, I'm hoping there will be music in Dingle on Saturday and Sunday night despite the Fleadh Nua, and in Doolin on Monday. If not, we may have to brave Ennis.

Hi

I concur with some of the other travellers in suggesting the Radisson or Park House both are very close. Also Jurys hotel, but wouldnt be my first choice as it seems to get a lot of party bookings

Ok with your walking issues you need to stay as close to the main areas as possible or taxi it. You will find several good hotels at that price and under. Do you have a wheelchair? It would make things much easier for you as there is a bit of walking around. You will also get to see more if you are mobile in the chair. Just a suggestion and tell me to mind my business if I am butting in.

SiobhanP, I'm planning to bring my wheelchair. I am a bit worried about what size car we need to rent to fit two people, two 24" cases, two laptop sized bags and then for four days two more people and two small bags. I'm thinking we may need to strap things on top

el

I booked the Forster Court Hotel for $135 a night, including breakfast, discounted parking at a nearby garage.

The best I could do on the Park House was $185, no breakfast, free parking. Breakfast is a big deal to DH.

I'm assuming (foolishly, no doubt) that their "discounted rated" at the garage behind the hotel can't be $50 a night.

el

My brother came over a few weeks ago and rented a larger people carrier...2 adults, 2 kids and suitcases. It was fine for them. Ask the hotel the exact rate for hotel guests for 24 hours. It can vary.