Pros

  • Set on five acres of lovely gardens in quiet Taylors Hill
  • Drive to Galway or Salthill Promenade in five to 10 minutes
  • Most rooms are classic and elegant, with Old World charm
  • Two restaurants, a bar, and afternoon tea service in the lobby
  • Modern fitness center with group classes, sauna, and steam room
  • Large, naturally lit indoor pool with a whirlpool
  • Small spa offering body treatments and salon services
  • Seasonal kids’ club with indoor and outdoor activities
  • Extensive meeting and events space, plus a business center
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking
  • 24-hour room service
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Cons

  • Some rooms are in need of an update
  • Not within easy walking distance of Galway city center
  • Rooms overlooking the service area may get noise from delivery trucks
  • Breakfast not included in room rates
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Bottom Line

The 123-room Ardilaun is an upper-middle-range hotel set on five acres of beautiful gardens in Taylors Hill, a short drive from Galway's city center. The hotel has a classic style, but modern features include a great fitness center, spa, an indoor pool, and a kids’ club. There are multiple dining and drinking destinations on-site as well. Room quality can vary substantially -- some rooms are sharp and modern, with accents like leather headboards, while others are tired and outdated. Travelers looking to stay closer to the center of town should consider The House Hotel, a modern property in a historic building that's within walking distance of Latin Quarter nightlife and sights like the Spanish Arch. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Kids Club
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Ardilaun Hotel

Scene

An elegant hotel with classic decor and modern amenities

Set on five acres of lovely gardens dotted with flowers, manicured grass lawns, and winding paths, the Ardilaun is an elegant property drawing a diverse array of guests, from families and couples to business travelers and tour groups. Wedding parties are common here as well, especially in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom. Interiors hew toward the classic, and are cozy and warm, with lots of wood accents, classic patterned carpeting, several seating areas, and small golden chandeliers. Welcoming touches include afternoon tea that's served in the lobby where there are plush couches, a small fireplace, and large windows overlooking the grounds. The rest of the hotel has a similar feel, with antique elements that include ornate mantelpieces and high ceilings with crown molding. Overall, this is a pleasant and laid-back choice that's within easy striking distance of downtown Galway and the beach. 

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Location

In the quiet suburb of Taylors Hill, a 10-minute drive from Eyre Square

The hotel is located in the leafy suburb of Taylors Hill, a quiet area located just north of Salthill Beach. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity, but guests can find a few small cafes and restaurants within a 15-minute walk. In fact, the part of Galway west of the river is home to some of the city's trendiest spots, and plenty of gastro-pubs and quaint eateries line the streets. The lively Salthill Promenade, packed with bars and cafes, can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes, or by car in five minutes, and the Galway Golf Club is a quick, five- to 10-minute drive away. Most central Galway attractions, such as Eyre Square and Galway Cathedral, are within a 10-minute drive of the hotel, or 25 minutes by bus for those who’d rather use public transportation. There's a bus stop a five-minutes walk from the hotel. Galway Rail Station is a 30-minute bus ride or 10-minute drive from the hotel. The train ride to Dublin takes about three hours, while the Shannon Airport -- the closest major airport -- is a 75-minute drive from the hotel. 

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Rooms

Most rooms are spacious and sharp, but a few need renovations

There's a pretty wide disparity in room quality here. Most Deluxe Rooms are modern and sharp, with large leather headboards, plush cream-colored carpets, pale-yellow wallpaper with delicate prints, and lounge chairs by the window in each. The ambience is classic, with wooden furniture, plush carpets, and a subdued, earth-tone palette with pops of crimson. However, other rooms, including many Standard Rooms and some Superior Rooms, are past their prime -- we spotted tube TVs in a few units as well as heavy drapes, mostly bare walls, and bland wood veneer furniture.  All rooms include flat-screen (or tube) TVs, safes, ironing facilities, and electric kettles for tea and coffee. Bathrooms are average, with beige tiles and either glass-enclosed walk-in showers or shower/tub combos; some have separate showers and tubs and heated towel racks. They include toiletries and hairdryers. First-floor rooms overlooking the service area may pick up noise from delivery trucks in the morning. 

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Features

A great fitness and wellness center, an indoor pool, two restaurants, and a kids’ club

The fitness and wellness center is the hotel’s highlight. Wooden floors and big windows make the exercise room appealing and light, while a wide array of machines -- including cardio and strength-training equipment -- and a movement studio with group classes allow for a full workout. The fitness center includes a sauna and a steam room, and body treatments and salon services can be booked at the spa. The Ardilaun also has a heated, 18-meter indoor pool complete with large windows and a whirlpool. Swimming classes are available for a fee. The hotel has two restaurants -- including Camilaun, a fine dining restaurant with seasonal outdoor dining, and a more casual bistro -- both serving good food made with fresh produce and herbs grown in the hotel’s on-site garden. Breakfast is offered, but is not included in room rates. Afternoon tea is served in a quiet area in the lobby, and Blazers Bar offers a wide array of beers. The Ardilaun also has extensive meeting and events space, a seasonal kids’ club, and a business center with printing and copying services. Free parking and free Wi-Fi are also available.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Ardilaun Hotel

Scene

An elegant hotel with classic decor and modern amenities

Set on five acres of lovely gardens dotted with flowers, manicured grass lawns, and winding paths, the Ardilaun is an elegant property drawing a diverse array of guests, from families and couples to business travelers and tour groups. Wedding parties are common here as well, especially in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom. Interiors hew toward the classic, and are cozy and warm, with lots of wood accents, classic patterned carpeting, several seating areas, and small golden chandeliers. Welcoming touches include afternoon tea that's served in the lobby where there are plush couches, a small fireplace, and large windows overlooking the grounds. The rest of the hotel has a similar feel, with antique elements that include ornate mantelpieces and high ceilings with crown molding. Overall, this is a pleasant and laid-back choice that's within easy striking distance of downtown Galway and the beach. 

See More Scene

Location

In the quiet suburb of Taylors Hill, a 10-minute drive from Eyre Square

The hotel is located in the leafy suburb of Taylors Hill, a quiet area located just north of Salthill Beach. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity, but guests can find a few small cafes and restaurants within a 15-minute walk. In fact, the part of Galway west of the river is home to some of the city's trendiest spots, and plenty of gastro-pubs and quaint eateries line the streets. The lively Salthill Promenade, packed with bars and cafes, can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes, or by car in five minutes, and the Galway Golf Club is a quick, five- to 10-minute drive away. Most central Galway attractions, such as Eyre Square and Galway Cathedral, are within a 10-minute drive of the hotel, or 25 minutes by bus for those who’d rather use public transportation. There's a bus stop a five-minutes walk from the hotel. Galway Rail Station is a 30-minute bus ride or 10-minute drive from the hotel. The train ride to Dublin takes about three hours, while the Shannon Airport -- the closest major airport -- is a 75-minute drive from the hotel. 

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Rooms

Most rooms are spacious and sharp, but a few need renovations

There's a pretty wide disparity in room quality here. Most Deluxe Rooms are modern and sharp, with large leather headboards, plush cream-colored carpets, pale-yellow wallpaper with delicate prints, and lounge chairs by the window in each. The ambience is classic, with wooden furniture, plush carpets, and a subdued, earth-tone palette with pops of crimson. However, other rooms, including many Standard Rooms and some Superior Rooms, are past their prime -- we spotted tube TVs in a few units as well as heavy drapes, mostly bare walls, and bland wood veneer furniture.  All rooms include flat-screen (or tube) TVs, safes, ironing facilities, and electric kettles for tea and coffee. Bathrooms are average, with beige tiles and either glass-enclosed walk-in showers or shower/tub combos; some have separate showers and tubs and heated towel racks. They include toiletries and hairdryers. First-floor rooms overlooking the service area may pick up noise from delivery trucks in the morning. 

See More Rooms

Features

A great fitness and wellness center, an indoor pool, two restaurants, and a kids’ club

The fitness and wellness center is the hotel’s highlight. Wooden floors and big windows make the exercise room appealing and light, while a wide array of machines -- including cardio and strength-training equipment -- and a movement studio with group classes allow for a full workout. The fitness center includes a sauna and a steam room, and body treatments and salon services can be booked at the spa. The Ardilaun also has a heated, 18-meter indoor pool complete with large windows and a whirlpool. Swimming classes are available for a fee. The hotel has two restaurants -- including Camilaun, a fine dining restaurant with seasonal outdoor dining, and a more casual bistro -- both serving good food made with fresh produce and herbs grown in the hotel’s on-site garden. Breakfast is offered, but is not included in room rates. Afternoon tea is served in a quiet area in the lobby, and Blazers Bar offers a wide array of beers. The Ardilaun also has extensive meeting and events space, a seasonal kids’ club, and a business center with printing and copying services. Free parking and free Wi-Fi are also available.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.