🇮🇪 Galway, Ireland
Residence Hotel
📍 14 Quay Street, Galway, H91 P628
Your stay — Residence Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Galway.
The Property — Residence Hotel
The Residence Hotel in Galway feels more like a well-run guesthouse than a chain: a small lobby with wooden floors, a real fireplace, and staff who know the city. It's a solid three-star in a converted Georgian terrace on the quieter end of the Salthill promenade, suited to travellers who want sea views without the price tag of a seafront hotel. The bedrooms are compact but spotless, with tea trays and good showers. It suits couples or solo visitors who plan to be out exploring rather than lounging in the hotel.
Chronicles of Galway
Galway began as a small fishing settlement before Anglo-Norman merchants built a walled port in the 13th century, leaving the distinctive 'Tribes' – fourteen merchant families – who ruled the city until the 17th century. The Spanish Arch and the surviving city walls hint at its trade links with Iberia. During the 19th century, Galway declined economically, then revived as a regional capital and cultural hub. Today it's known for its vibrant pub music scene, the Galway International Arts Festival, and its position as the unofficial capital of the Gaeltacht, the Irish-speaking regions.
Best Time to Visit
Full Galway guide →Best months
June and September: long daylight, temperatures around 15–20°C, and fewer crowds than peak July/August. The weather is unreliable but often fine.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season, driven by the Galway International Arts Festival (mid-July) and the Galway Races (late July). Hotel prices double or triple; book at least six months ahead. The city is packed but buzzing.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer the best balance: rooms 30–40% cheaper, shorter queues at attractions, and still decent weather. The Galway Oyster Festival in late September also adds buzz without the July crush.
Weather & packing
Galway's climate is famously changeable: you can get sun, drizzle and a gale in the same hour. Pack layers – a waterproof jacket, a fleece, and a light jumper – plus comfortable walking shoes that can handle wet pavements.
Live City Briefing — Galway
- The Galway City Council has pedestrianised Shop Street and parts of High Street permanently, creating a car-free zone in the Latin Quarter – expect more outdoor seating and buskers, but less vehicle access for deliveries.
- The new 'Greenway' cycle path from Galway to Oughterard is now fully open, offering a traffic-free 32km route along the old railway line. Bikes can be hired near the hotel.
- The Galway International Arts Festival in July 2026 will feature a major new theatre production at the Black Box Theatre, so advance booking for shows is recommended.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Residence Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building (away from Quay Street). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and offer a quieter stay without needing to wait long for the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors facing Quay Street. The noise from late-night pubs and pedestrian traffic carries straight up, and the lift lobby on these floors can be busy. Also skip any room directly above the bar or restaurant if you hear music from below.
Best views
A room at the front on the top floor (fourth) gives a glimpse of the Galway rooftops and the bustle of Quay Street. But the best view is really the city atmosphere; don't expect scenic panoramas.
Quietest floors
Third to fourth floor (assuming the hotel has no floor numbering quirks).
🔊 Noise notes
Quay Street is a main pedestrianised drag with pubs, buskers, and late-night crowds. Expect noise until 1–2am, especially on weekends. The lift can be heard in adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs or request a back-facing room at booking — the hotel's central location means traffic and revellers are constant. 2. There’s no hotel parking; use the Park Rite car park on Market Street (a 3-minute walk) and check in first to avoid lugging bags far.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Residence Hotel
Free for all guests, decent speed (20 Mbps down); no login, just select hotel network
One passenger lift serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access; no physical papers; building is a converted 19th-century townhouse
Check-in from 15:00, early bag-drop from 11:00; late check-out fee €30 until 13:00, subject to availability
Free for day of arrival/departure, no charge
Step-free entry via ramp at side door; lift fits compact wheelchair; guest rooms on upper floors have narrow corridors
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Quay Street Car Park (100 metres, €15/night, 08:00-20:00 only); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment at booking; €100 incidental card hold on arrival
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: United Methodist Presbyterian Church (46 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Saint Augustine Church (328 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Saint Patrick's Church (441 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Church of Saint Nicholas (455 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Eyre Square Centre — 118 m · ~1 min walk
Eyre Square — 238 m · ~3 min walk
Claddagh Ring Museum — 503 m · ~6 min walk
An Taibhdhearc — 374 m · ~5 min walk
Kennedy Park Playground — 279 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 144 m · ~2 min walk
Lavelle's — 159 m · ~2 min walk
Costcutter — 173 m · ~2 min walk
Galway Ceannt — 173 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots, as they give poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless; Amex is less common. Most places take contactless and Google/Apple Pay.
Tipping is not expected but 10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated; round up taxi fares; no need to tip hotel staff unless exceptional.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a local café costs around €2.50–€3.00.
A soup and sandwich combo at a café costs about €8–€10.
A main course at a pub-style restaurant costs roughly €15–€18.
Look for the weekend market near the Spanish Arch for affordable eats like fish and chips or a burrito bowl.
Common budget supermarkets include Lidl, Aldi, and Tesco.
For affordable high-street clothes, head to the main shopping street (Shop Street) with stores like Penneys (Primark).
A single bus ticket in Galway city costs €1.70; from the airport, take Bus 350 to the city centre for about €5. The cheapest way around is walking—it is compact.
Eat lunch at pubs where lunch specials are cheaper than dinner menus; fill a water bottle from taps (tap water is free and safe); book tourist attractions online in advance for discounts.
Good to know — Galway
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
GalwayAll three services use 999 or 112. For non-urgent police matters in Galway call 091 538 000. The nearest hospital with an emergency department is University Hospital Galway on Newcastle Road.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Galway, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Residence Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 144 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Lavelle's — 159 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Shannon Airport (SNN) → St. Martin’s B&B (Nun’s Island area)
💡 Use local operator Galway Cabs (091 561 000) – flat rate around €120, no surge pricing; worth it for large groups or late arrivals.
Dublin Airport (T1 & T2 arrivals) → Galway Coach Station (Fairgreen)
💡 Buy tickets online to save a few euros; sit on the right side leaving Dublin for better sea views past Kinvara.
Dublin Heuston Station → Galway Ceannt Station
💡 Book a week ahead on irishrail.ie for €16 'Saver' fares; standard class is fine and there’s a café car. From Ceannt it’s a 12-min walk to St. Martin’s – or grab the 401 bus.
St. Martin’s B&B (Nun’s Island stop) → Galway city centre (Eyre Square / Shop Street)
💡 Get a Leap Card (€5 deposit) from any newsagent – single fares drop to €1.85. The 401 runs a loop past the B&B; wave to stop the driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Residence Hotel?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building (away from Quay Street). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and offer a quieter stay without needing to wait long for the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Residence Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors facing Quay Street. The noise from late-night pubs and pedestrian traffic carries straight up, and the lift lobby on these floors can be busy. Also skip any room directly above the bar or restaurant if you hear music from below.
Is Residence Hotel noisy?
Quay Street is a main pedestrianised drag with pubs, buskers, and late-night crowds. Expect noise until 1–2am, especially on weekends. The lift can be heard in adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Residence Hotel?
A room at the front on the top floor (fourth) gives a glimpse of the Galway rooftops and the bustle of Quay Street. But the best view is really the city atmosphere; don't expect scenic panoramas.
What are insider tips for staying at Residence Hotel?
1. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs or request a back-facing room at booking — the hotel's central location means traffic and revellers are constant. 2. There’s no hotel parking; use the Park Rite car park on Market Street (a 3-minute walk) and check in first to avoid lugging bags far.
What time is check-in at Residence Hotel?
Check-in at Residence Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Residence Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, decent speed (20 Mbps down); no login, just select hotel network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Residence Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Residence Hotel?
A soup and sandwich combo at a café costs about €8–€10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Residence Hotel?
A single bus ticket in Galway city costs €1.70; from the airport, take Bus 350 to the city centre for about €5. The cheapest way around is walking—it is compact.
When is the best time to visit Galway?
June and September: long daylight, temperatures around 15–20°C, and fewer crowds than peak July/August. The weather is unreliable but often fine.
Top Attractions in Galway
💡 The rooftop terrace has excellent views of the Claddagh and the bay. Allow 45 minutes. No café on site — head to the nearby market on weekends instead.
💡 Come at golden hour for warm light on the stone. The benches along the walk are good for a quiet moment. Avoid on rainy days — steps get slippery.
💡 Entry is free but they accept donations (€2 suggested). The crypt has a small exhibition on construction history. Quiet atmosphere — great for escaping the weekday market crowds. Photography allowed.
💡 Best in spring when the cherry blossom trees are out. Free public toilets on the east side near the bus station. On summer weekends there's often live music at the bandstand. Avoid after dark — rowdy groups gather.
💡 Park at Blackrock for the best stretch. On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands. Bring a windproof jacket—the Atlantic breeze is constant. The diving tower is only safe for strong swimmers.