A Family Breakaway at the Award-Winning Four-Star Hotel – The Harbour Hotel Galway
The award-winning luxury four-star The Harbour Hotel Galway can be found on New Dock Road in Galway City. Both the train and bus stations are less than 10 minutes walk away, and if you’re driving, you can park for free onsite. Once you’ve checked-in to your luxury aircon bedroom – the world is your oyster, or rather the city is your Galway oyster, because everywhere of note can be explored easily on foot from the comfort of The Harbour Hotel Galway.
For example, it’s a stone’s throw from the ships rolling in to the Port of Galway – in fact we took a return day trip to Inis Mor with Aran Island Ferries from right across the road – our experience will feature in an upcoming article.
It’s a light stroll to the market stall shopping off Shop Street, a side street wander from the Spanish Arch, and a blink of an eye to Eyre Square where you can buy a coffee at Esquires and watch the world go by. And if you’d like to visit a beach then Grattan Beach is only 25 minutes away on foot (seven minutes by car), or Ballyloughane Beach is only 10 minutes away by car.
As guests of the hotel we enjoyed a two night stay. The first night with dinner, the second day with breakfast, and the third afternoon with brunch. In fact dinner at Dillisk on the Docks Bar & Restaurant was so tasty and such an easy family experience on our first night that we dined there again after our expedition to Inis Mor on our second night.
Check-in and out was a breeze and we felt welcome the minute we walked through the hotel doors, and appreciated when we walked out. A friendly smile at reception speaks a thousand words. In fact all the staff throughout The Harbour Hotel Galway were so hospitable – it really does make your stay a fond memory.
Our Room at The Harbour Hotel Galway
Our room had a double bed, single bed and rollaway bed. We’re preferring larger rooms or adjoining rooms of late as the boys grow but even so, this room still felt spacious enough and definitely comfortable.
And because we spent most of our days out exploring, the luxury of aircon, a comfortable bed and hot shower were all we desired at the end of each evening. Oh and a cartoon or two too, we were on holidays after all!
Our nautical themed room was stylish and full of all the mod cons you’d expect from a luxury four-star hotel. From a mini fridge stocked with cold water and coffee and tea making facility, to HD T.V., air-conditioning with climate control and free high-speed WiFi.
Crisp white linen sealed the deal for me. And I love that the hotel has moved on from bottles to eco-friendly doypack toiletries that are also cruelty free, paraben free and vegan friendly.
Like the hotel with its numerous sanitising stations throughout, our room was spotlessly clean, with special attention given to items such as the T.V. remote control, coffee mugs and additional sanitising wipes supplied.
Room cleaning service was available on request but as we only stayed two nights we didn’t make use of it the second day.
We did however make use of the welcome drink we received … #DrinkIrish
Dillisk on the Docks Bar & Restaurant
Dillisk on the Docks Bar & Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant, with such accolades as a ‘AA Rosette’ for culinary excellence two years in a row.
It’s a gorgeous looking bar and restaurant – stylish and spacious in design. Rustic but immaculately luxurious, funky but not trying too hard. Basically they got it right and it gels perfectly and consistently with the hotel interior design in its entirety.
It even has its own outdoor terrace called ‘An Gairdín’ which part of doubles up as a smoking area, so speaking from experience – not ideal for outdoor dining with little children, but perfect for adults who fancy retiring outdoors with dessert and coffee or an after dinner drink – we’ll be back minus the littles some night to try the later!
As mentioned we dined at Dillisk on the Docks each day of our stay, breakfast, brunch and dinner were all thoroughly enjoyed.
All meals were pre-booked in advance. Breakfast had a time slot of one hour and dinner a maximum of two hours per sitting. And because the service was so efficient we never felt rushed.
Breakfast at Dillisk
Breakfast: 8.00am -11.00am (midweek and weekends)
A lovely selection with custom à la carte breakfast options served straight from the kitchen to our table. Or buffet options such as fresh pastries, cereals and fruit.
Brunch and Dinner at Dillisk on the Docks at The Harbour Hotel Galway
Brunch/ Lunch: 12.00pm – 5.00pm – Monday to Wednesday | 1:00pm – 5:00pm – Thursday to Sunday
Evening Dining: 5.00pm – 9.00pm – Monday to Wednesday | 5:00pm – 9:45pm – Thursday to Sunday
What can I say but we covered every culinary style and taste throughout our stay via our brunch and dinner dining. From the Galway Bay Mussels in white wine cream sauce served with homemade Dillisk bread to the Grilled Sea Trout with baby vegetable medley and spinach mash. From the 100% Irish Hereford Striploin Steak served with home-cut chunky chips and wild mushrooms and onions to the Buttermilk Chicken Burger served with hot sauce and pickled cucumber, lettuce and crispy onions. All delicious.
The boys enjoyed choosing from their own ‘Children’s Menu’ which might I add, featured more than just the usual sausages and chips by including options such as a Duo of Melon, BBQ Pork Ribs, and Fillet of Sea Trout. I love to see chefs appreciating that some children have just as sophisticated palates as their parents!
And we all savoured the joys of the Dessert Menu, the Buttermilk Panna Cotta with berry compote and homemade cookies, Warm Chocolate Brownie, and Glenown Ice cream being the biggest hits.
For more information on The Harbour Hotel Galway, to book or to connect visit:
The Harbour Hotel Galway Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
For more on inspiration for Irish Travel including things to do in Galway visit: The Life of Stuff Travel the Island of Ireland
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