Galway: Spanish Arch Hotel (Hotel)

Address: Quay st, City centre , Galway , Ireland
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Lonely Planet Review

In a sterling spot on the main pedestrianised drag in Galway's 'Latin Quarter', this boutique 20-room hotel is housed in a 16th-century building adorned with Victorian era antiques but still manages to retain an informal, friendly air enhanced by the splendid adjoining pub hosting live music every night.

Configured over four floors (there's a lift), each floor has three rooms at the front which look out onto mesh-floored wrought-iron balconies (they're not sturdy, so stand out here at your own risk!). Though slightly smaller, rear rooms are a bit easier on the ears. You can easily ensconce yourself in all the guestrooms here amid elegant old-fashioned furnishings like self-striped armchairs and velvet canopies, and bliss out in deep bathtubs in the black-and-white tiled bathrooms. Meals can be brought up to your room for an extra fee per tray, and there are tea- and coffee-making facilities in the rooms. The hotel is named for the still-standing 1584 gateway where ships from Spain unloaded wine and brandy. Discounted parking is available nearby for hotel guests.