Galway’s G-spot
IT’S renowned as “the Philip Treacy hotel” yet the initial drive into the G Hotel can be somewhat of a letdown — with its view of a motorway. But step inside the doors and the outside traffic is completely forgotten. No wonder the A-list designer was in such demand for the recent royal wedding in London.
Tracey is a milliner like no other — and the same applies to his hotel. It screams old Hollywood glamour, from the dark and intimate reception area with its black glass walls to the row of signature lounges — the classic Grand Salon, the funky Pink Room, the cosy Cocktail Bar (my personal favourite). It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
A smiling, yet professional, welcome at reception completed the oh-so-slick package.
One word sums it up — luxury. A king size bed to sink into, a marble bathroom — and the same impeccable taste, from the classic wallpaper to the artwork, all in sumptuous neutrals.
Big windows mean lots of natural light too — another plus. It’s so good you nearly forget the motorway just outside the window. Almost.
Step into Espa and instantly your body is lulled into relaxation. In stark contrast to the funky walls of the pink room, the spa is all dark and atmospheric spotlights. Forty-five minutes in the thermal suite and I was escorted to one of eight treatment rooms for a 55-minute body massage (€100). Absolute bliss.
A pre-dinner cosmopolitan in the Cocktail Bar and we were brought to the adjoining Matz restaurant for dinner. The hostess was delighted to present our window seat. Our view? Yes, you’ve guessed it — traffic. The G’s location is perhaps my only complaint about this truly impeccable hotel, but sure enough as soon as the food was served the outside world was forgotten. Executive chef Stefan Matz prides himself in sourcing local and organic, from seafood from the nearby bay to prime cuts of Galway meat.
Think Connemara Smoked Tuna, €14; Baked Cod Fillet and Crabmeat Crumble, €27; Roast Monktail with Sautéed Prawn Tails, €28.
And the breakfast was even better — from fresh fruit to a full Irish and your choice of newspapers. Pure relaxation and absolute Sunday morning heaven.
It’s Galway. What isn’t there to see? We stopped off at the G after a couple of cosy nights in Connemara and topped off our stay at the hotel with a stroll around the city. You can’t beat a Sunday morning soaking up the atmosphere on Shop Street, from buskers to early bird shoppers.
Galway is shaping up for a festival-tastic summer too. The Film Fleadh kicks off on July 5, followed by the Arts Festival from July 11-24. The hottest ticket there is the new version of Enda Walsh’s Misterman starring Cillian Murphy, though any programme featuring both Blondie and Colm Tóibín has to be worth checking out.
A heady month finishes on a high at the Galway Races (July 25-31). The Fianna Fáil tent is long gone, of course, but the gravity-defying hats remain — you might spot the hand of Philip Treacy there too.
Rates from €85 per person per night, including full Irish breakfast.
While the G works well for couples, really it’s the ideal destination for a girlie break. Afternoon tea in the Pink Room and Cosmos in the Cocktail bar. Sex and the City, anyone?
Contact: 091-865200; theghotel.ie
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