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Connemara Coast Hotel

This beautifully located hotel is an attractive building which makes the best possible use of the site without intruding on the surroundings: set on the sea side of the road, in its own extensive grounds, it is hard to credit that Galway city is only a 10 minute drive away.

An impressive foyer decorated with fresh flowers sets the tone on entering, and spacious public areas include a mezzanine and library, and a pleasant patio area on the sea side of the hotel.

Facilities are particularly good too - a fine bar, two restaurants, a children’s playroom and a leisure centre among them - and a policy of constant refurbishment and upgrading ensures that the hotel always has a warm, well-cared for atmosphere; spacious new bedrooms were recently added, and the older rooms have all been upgraded.

This most likeable of hotels is understandably popular for conferences and weddings - the facilities and service are both excellent (the conference centre has also been refurbished), and the location is magic.

A range of special breaks is offered both here and at its fine sister hotel, Brooks Hotel, in Dublin (details on application).

Conference/banqueting (400/320); free broadband wi/fi; secretarial services, video conferencing. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room; cots available without charge, baby sitting arranged; playroom, playground, kids club). Leisure centre (swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness room, sauna, steam room); masseuse; pool table, tennis, walking.

Rooms 141 (2 suites, 10 junior suites, 26 executive rooms, 7 ground floor, 25 family rooms, 1 for disabled, all no smoking). B&B €125pps, ss €40. 24 hr room service.

Restaurant:

Welcoming details such as proper butter curls and good nutty breads make a good first impression in this elegantly appointed sea view restaurant.

Appealing menus are changed every day (a boon for regular diners and guests staying for several nights), and head chef, Ulriche Hoeche, offers a wide range of dishes, notably local seafood - a fish plate of smoked salmon and smoked mackerel with an herb crème fraiche makes a tasty starter, for example.

Local meats are often represented by roast rack of Connemara lamb, or you might try beautifully crispy roast half boneless duckling with braised red cabbage and orange jus.

When the hotel is full the kitchen can come under pressure, and portions have increased in size recently – perhaps reflecting demand from large groups.

Gallery Restaurant: Seats 50; D 7-9.30pm daily (children welcome), set D €40; informal D, Daly's 7-9.30pm daily; bar food daily 12.30-6.30 (1-4 Sat/Sun). Open all year. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser. Heli-Pad.

Directions:

9km (6 m) from Galway city on Spiddal road.