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The G Hotel

A bad location - virtually on the Ffrench roundabout and beside a large furniture retailer – and an unimpressive facade give no clues to the original interior of this new hotel, which is by internationally renowned milliner Phillip Treacy, a native of Galway.

The proprietor, Galwayman Gerry Barrett, gave him free rein to indulge his quirky creativity, and he gave the western capital a stunning hotel. Eyecatching colour combinations, lighting, furniture, carpets, fireplaces make the public rooms both comfortable and delightfully varied.

What might have been an intimidating (all black) lobby and reception area, is cleverly enlivened by a wall-mounted, exotic fish tank featuring the strangest creatures: sea horses, born and bred in Connemara.

Accommodation is luxurious, as would be expected, and this is a fun place that brings a smile to people’s faces.

Boardroom/Banqueting (20/65), theatre facility next door for 40-150; media centre, broadband, secretarial services; Spa; Golf & equestrian nearby. Wheelchair accessible.

Rooms 101 (3 suites, 26 junior suites, all others deluxe or superior); children welcome (baby sitting arranged); rooms from €200. Helipad.

Riva at the G:

The stylish restaurant offers refined Italian cooking that is a kind of hybrid of international hotel cuisine with Italian undertones and, although it does not reach the dizzy, stylish standards of the rest of the hotel, the theatrical surroundings in combination with competence in the kitchen and agreeable service should make for an enjoyable experience.

Seats 70. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

From Oranmore - N6 for Galway East, at Skerrit roundabout take Dublin Road. Proceed to the Ffrench roundabout, take the 4th exit: the g is located immediately on the left.