Situated in the Salthill section of Galway on the West Coast of Ireland, the Galway Bay Hotel is located directly across the street from the beach and bay. Nearly every guestroom features water views, which make for awesome sunsets to enjoy from the hotel’s large patio or glass-enclosed lounge. Kids will love spending time at the kids’ club, the beach, the indoor pool, the Leisure Center (which offers several indoor pools and a waterslide), and at the small amusement park located next door.

The guestrooms are spacious and can easily accommodate families of five or more. The onsite restaurants offer delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner options for families.

This beachfront hotel is ideally located just minutes from Galway’s city center, but also steps from the sand and surf, making it perfect for families seeking a summer retreat.

There are a variety of room choices and bed configurations at this hotel. None of the rooms offer air conditioning, but the windows do open slightly. While a mini-fridge is not a guarantee in the guestrooms, they can typically be provided upon request. Connecting rooms and rollaway beds are also available upon request. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available as well.

Family Rooms

These spacious rooms are ideal for families, as then can fit up to five comfortably and up to eight with a connecting room. The Family Rooms can feature a variety of bed options including a queen bed and one or two twin beds in the same room. There is a flat-screen television, coffee/tea maker, hairdryer and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom.

Classic Rooms

The Classic Rooms feature one king or two queen beds and views of the gardens. There is a flat-screen television, coffee/tea maker, hairdryer and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom.

Suites

The two-room suites, best suited for couples, feature a king bed in the bedroom area and a sofa and dining table in a living room area, separated by a door. There is a flat-screen television, coffee/tea maker, hairdryer and a shower/tub combination in the bathroom. Bottled water and chocolate-covered strawberries are provided in the suites.

Weekly activities are always taking place at the Galway Bay Hotel. Families can participate in coffee and tea tastings, dance classes, wine tastings and movie nights held throughout each week.

Kids' Club

The Penguin Kids Camp is available all day to children ages 4 to 12 in July and August. The supervised kids' club includes lunch and dinner, and Pickle, the penguin mascot, is always ready to say hello. The kids will enjoy games outside on the lawn, cooking classes, arts and crafts, movie nights and more. Kids can participate in half- or full-day camp. The supervised Tiny Tots Playroom, offering games and toys for the younger bunch, is always open to the kids.

Beach and Promenade

The hotel sits directly in front of the beach and promenade. Families only need to cross a two-lane roadway to reach the sand and surf. The wide, paved promenade runs through Salthill and into the center of Galway, offering a great waterfront view during your stroll. Cross over the promenade (aka prom) and you've reached the sand and calm, bay waters. There are jetties situated along the bay, which keep the waters calm. Do keep in mind this is not a Caribbean beach -- the water can be cold and the sand can be coarse, but the kids won't mind at all! Changing rooms and restrooms are located nearby.

Indoor Pool

The hotel features an indoor pool onsite. There is an attached children's pool with a splash waterfall, and a few pool toys such as noodles are available for guests to use. Pool towels and swim caps (which are required) are provided. The pool is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

Leisure Land

Guests are granted free access to Leisure Land, an activity center, located directly next to the hotel. There are three indoor swimming pools (lifeguards on duty), a waterslide, mini-golf and a fitness center that guests can enjoy. From June through August, kids will love the added bonus of Curry's Outdoor Fairgrounds, also hosted by Leisure Land. A variety of carnival-type rides and games are located outside and hard to miss from the hotel's windows. Small roller coasters, a train ride, Ferris wheel and carousel are just some of the amusements.

Lobster Pot Restaurant

A buffet breakfast and sit-down dinner are available at this casual restaurant. Breakfast (which can be included if you book the breakfast rate) offers items like eggs, make-your-own pancakes, Irish porridge, cereal and more. Breakfast is available from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and until 11 a.m. on weekends.

The sit-down dinner is more resort-casual, with seafood, chicken and steak options. Reservations are highly suggested and dinner runs from 6 to 9 p.m. daily.

Harvest Cafe

This full-service buffet is open for lunch, afternoon tea and early, light-fare dinner. Families will find homemade scones, pies, soups, sandwiches, salads and tea and coffee in this casual dining spot, located just off the lobby. The cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Atlantic Bar and Sea View Lounge

Burgers, soups, chicken wings, pizza and the like are available here, and children are welcome until 9 p.m. (10 p.m. in the summer months). Live music is performed on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Sea View Lounge, a glass-enclosed structure, is steps away from the bar and offers a great sunset bay view. Outside the lounge is a large patio area with tables and an even better view of the bay.

All About the Extras

Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Parking
Free parking is available in an outside lot and underground parking lot.

International Electrical Outlets
The hotel is happy to provide international adaptors for the electrical outlets at no cost.

Fitness Center
Guests are welcome to use the large fitness center at Leisure Land next door, but there is also a small fitness center with cardio machines onsite.

Money Exchange
Ireland's currency is the Euro and the hotel offers foreign exchange service at the reception desk.

Babysitting
Babysitting services are available upon request by a third-party, vetted agency.

The Best Time to Visit

The summer months, specifically July and August, are the busiest times for families to visit. Ireland's weather is often unpredictable, with sun, clouds and rain sometimes in the same day. But temperatures often range from the high 50s to the low 70s in the summer months.

Getting There

Located on Ireland's West Coast, this hotel is situated about two and half hours from Dublin and the Dublin International Airport. The Shannon Airport is located just over an hour from the hotel.

Getting Around

A rental car or taxi is needed to reach this hotel from the airport. But once you arrive, you can can easily walk to the beach, take a short stroll to the shops and restaurants at Galway's city center, or take a taxi to explore the area.

For Mom and Dad

Spa
The onsite spa is an excellent place for adults to unwind after a long day of travel. A wide range of beauty and massage treatments are available.