The Residence Hotel

Too small and too hot to be comfortable. Our room is too hot sleep in. We complained about how hot the room was but front desk said they only have 2 or 3 rooms with A/C (is that true??). They said to use a supplies fan, so we have the window open with a noisy fan, but it is still very hot and the fan is super noisy. Our room is also incredibly small. We barely fit in here with our luggage. It's really small!! We asked if we could upgrade to a larger room and they said "no"... our room has a "standard layout" (again I am questioning if I am being told the truth). Also, they gave us an accessible room with a bathroom that has no enclosed shower/tub and then claimed that was a standard room for the hotel (once again feeling like I'm being swindled). There is also no sink space or shelf to place toiletries of any kind. Sink is barely large enough to brush your teeth. We feel very cheated for a room that was much more expensive than the nice hotels we stayed at in Dublin and Killarney. Positives: Location is great and enjoy the attached pub.

Great hotel in the Latin quarter located at the end of Quay St. Staff was helpful, beds were comfortable, and location is walkable to many area attractions. Keep in mind that the hotel is located on a busy street surrounded by many pubs, restaurants and shops. Air conditioning is not a normal thing in most rooms all over Ireland, and many older buildings such as this will have rooms smaller than you may expect. That being said, our twin room was plenty spacious and comfortable for the two of us. Some may complain about the potential street noise, but the location was perfect for us since we were planning to be out late and wanted to be close to the restruants and pubs.

This hotel was perfectly located on Quay Street within easy walking distance of Eyre Square and a quick jaunt over the bridge to the west end (where the locals hang). Rooms were small but efficiently organized to maximize space and they were clean. Front desk staff was lovely. BUT… if you’re booking this hotel, you need to be aware that it sits over a bar (M. Fitzgerald’s) that has loud amplified music playing til 2am on weekends and 11:30pm on weekdays. We were on the first floor and got a full room shaking concert- we could not sleep til the bar closed at 2am. Then housekeeping began banging around the hotel around 8-9am. I think perhaps our experience would have been different if we were on a different floor or if we were 20-somethings that stayed out til 2am. But as old 30-somethings that roll into bed by midnight, this was rough. It was really rough. The hotel did a great job of installing windows that blocked the street party noise well, but the floor/ceiling insulation between the bar and the first floor just wasn’t there.

Great location. The rooms are modern and have great bathrooms. Only major downside is there is zero air flow in them (or at least ours). They included 2 standing fans but both were broken, and the staff never came by after reporting so.

Wonderfully updated and clean hotel in the heart of the city’s shopping and pub district. A 10 minute walk from Ceant train station and right above a great local pub with live music every night. This is a both a boon and a bane. If you came to party, you’ll love having a bed close by when the night is done. If you came to rest, bring earplugs or look elsewhere.

This hotel was perfectly located on Quay Street within easy walking distance of Eyre Square and a quick jaunt over the bridge to the west end (where the locals hang). Rooms were small but efficiently organized to maximize space and they were clean. Front desk staff was lovely. BUT… if you’re booking this hotel, you need to be aware that it sits over a bar (M. Fitzgerald’s) that has loud amplified music playing til 2am on weekends and 11:30pm on weekdays. We were on the first floor and got a full room shaking concert- we could not sleep til the bar closed at 2am. Then housekeeping began banging around the hotel around 8-9am. I think perhaps our experience would have been different if we were on a different floor or if we were 20-somethings that stayed out til 2am. But as old 30-somethings that roll into bed by midnight, this was rough. It was really rough. The hotel did a great job of installing windows that blocked the street party noise well, but the floor/ceiling insulation between the bar and the first floor just wasn’t there.

Great place to stay if you're looking to be right in the heart of everything in Galway. As another review has mentioned, would recommend earplugs if you're planning to try to sleep early. Especially as there's no air conditioning, so you'll need the windows open to catch a breeze on warmer nights. We stayed during the week and each night was loud until at least 2am, the weekend would be even more busy. Was a fantastic jumping off point for other activities outside of the latin quarter. Recommend booking reservations at the restaurants and pubs around the hotel as it's a very popular area. We enjoyed our stay! The staff were great.

Beware! The hotel does not tell prospective guests that they have a very loud band playing directly below the rooms on weekend nights. They play until 2:00 am and all the desk offers is earplugs. We would have chosen another hotel had we been informed. If sleep is important to you, stay somewhere else.

Located in the Latin Quarter, the heart of Galway. Such a convenient and lively location! A smaller hotel with an elevator if you are bringing a lot of luggage like us. We stayed here for a couple nights during the week. We were worried about the potential noise however the live music stopped at around 11pm so we had no complaints there. Perhaps the noise is longer on weekends but we didn't see it as an issue during our weekday stay. The room was clean, and had complementary water bottles. The TV was also great and allowed us to sign in to our Netflix and YouTube for streaming on the big screen. The room was on the smaller side but enough space to at least open up our big luggage and carry on. We got discounted parking as well from the hotel, which helped as parking in the city was expensive. Did not get the chance to visit the bar in the hotel in the evenings but we heard really good live music!

Sleep... don't plan on a restful night's sleep Friday thru Sunday. The 'live music' starts thumping shortly after happy hour and endures 'til the bar closes. You really have to dig to find the nightlife details on the website. It's not listed on any travel site details at all. #Expedia After we justifiably complained we were offered ear plugs.

Really loved our night in Galway at the Residence Hotel. It is in the heart of the Latin Quarter - and I am sure it is a raucous party place from Thursday onwards - but we were there on a Wednesday night. Front desk staff was lovely - I hadn't been able to book a twin room online and they fixed that for us even before we arrived - room was comfortable and quiet even though it looked out on the main street (yes, it was a Wednesday night). Restaurant 1520 downstairs held our reservation for us even though we arrived late as the kitchen was closing, and made food for us even though we were right at the limit of closing time. My carrot soup was excellent, as was my companion's hors d'ouevres plate, and my caesar salad was delicious. And we got to listen to live music as we ate. Again, room was comfortable and quiet, bathroom was nice, and we entirely wished we'd stayed one more night at the Residence Hotel in Galway.

First, the incredible staff. The front desk staff, Jasmin, Michelle, and Cara go above and beyond to make you know you are welcome, and in a friendly place. Whether having a nice chat about our stay, or helping us to find just the right shop or restaurant, they all were extremely helpful. The cleaning staff we met in the hall were just as friendly and helpful. Second, location, location, location. Right at the end of the Latin Quarter, we were within moments of everything and every place. It was so easy to get to tours, restaurants and shops. If we had any questions, the front desk staff had the answers or found them if needed. Third, the room was excellent. Everything we needed from a great coffee maker to a hot and heavy shower, and very clean. Galway is so great that we did not spend a lot of our waking hours in the room, but its comfort was a great place to come for sleep. Even in one of the noisier parts of the city, and adjacent to a very busy pub, we never heard a sound. Finally, I have to mention the 1520 Bar. Next door but part of the hotel, we became regulars. Over our days at The Residence we had wonderful conversations at the 1520 with locals and people from around the world. Clearly it is an extremely popular place for Hen Parties, friends, travelers, families. I will miss the energy of that pub. We hope to return to Galway, and we would stay nowhere else than the Residence Hotel. We'd feel a bit like going home to stay with family. Marcia and Jack MacRae

Location location location is everything. Located in a wonderful spot and the city very convenient to leave the hotel walk around the city come back to the hotel during the day and go back out again and again. Car park located right next door to the entrance in the hotel. Free fast Wi-Fi in the rooms. Life to take you to the 1st through the 4th floor. Pub on ground floor and many others very close by.

Small. Quaint. Clean. New carpet on the narrow staircase. Loved that you had to have a key card to walk up the stairs. Close to the pubs.

The location is excellent. Virtually every tourist site is within easy walking distance as are many tour companies for delightful day trips. Lots of history, stores, cafes, pubs, buskers, etc. The rooms are modern if not a bit quirky (which I like). No mini-bar, at least in my room. What is not excellent is the loud music that comes from the pub, especially on "late pub" nights (Thu-Sat) until 2am (when you check in they will tell you live music starts at 6pm but not when it ends). I was on the 3rd floor (4th to Americans) and it kept me awake all night until about 2:05am. The staff is indifferent to the discomfort of paying guests vs the besotted crowd in the pub. If you plan on staying up until 2am, this is a great place. If not stay away from the Latin Quarter in general (to be fair, comments above probably apply to most similarly situated hotels) or check into a larger hotel, maybe like Jury's Inn, and ask for a room far from the pub.

Great experience! Staff was so friendly. Rooms were very clean and a good size. So nice having a coffee machine and snacks provided by the hotel in the room. So close to everything you need and amazing shops and restaurants. Quay St. Kitchen across the street was lovely. Bar downstairs was great- we didn't really have a problem with the noise- they have very thick windows so you could barely hear anything. And hello you're above a bar with live music so if you want absolute silence- may not be the place for you.