Bunk Boutique Hostel Galway

Bunk Boutique Hostel Galway, even with its dorm rooms, is more like a hotel than a hostel, and it draws guests beyond the backpacker crowd. The theme here is travel, and there's blown-up photos of airport terminals, train stations, and motorways aligning the bright but narrow hallways. Even the small lobby has airplane-style seating, complete with seatbelts, and there are some "Arrival" boards around. Distressed wood-panel flooring and exposed brick walls lend plenty of gray and white to the decor, all spruced up by primary-color sofas and light fixtures. Tucking these beneath stairwells creates a cozy ambience. Much of the furniture, though, is simply dressed-up IKEA standards. Dark-gray Hallways leading to the private rooms strike a more "grown-up" tone. Highlights here are the trendy lounge, with communal dining tables and classy Chesterfield sofas, and the fully equipped chic and clean kitchen.

Located down a narrow pedestrian alley reached through a neighboring hotel’s car park, Bunk Boutique Hostel Galway can be tricky to find at first, although it's conveniently located in the heart of the city, near shops, pubs, and restaurants, and a two-minute walk to the bus and train stations. Eyre Square public park is a three-minute walk from the hostel, and the pedestrian-only Shop Street is a seven-minute walk away. The nightlife of Quay Street is about 10 minutes away on foot. Within a 10-minute walk of the hostel are the Nora Barnacle House Museum (for James Joyce aficionados), the Galway City Museum, the 19th-century Salmon Weir Bridge, and the Spanish Arch, originally an extension of the city wall. Galway Cathedral is a 12-minute walk, an eight-minute bus ride, or a four-minute drive from the hostel. Flights don’t currently operate out of Galway Airport, and it’s a bit more than an hour’s drive to Ireland West Airport in Knock -- or 90 minutes by bus.

Bunk Boutique Hostel Galway has a mix of dorms and 14 boutique-style private rooms. The compact dorms have white walls and distressed whitewashed wood-panel flooring, and white metal bunk beds, with individual lights and double-power sockets. All rooms have secure lockers, and some have full-length mirrors and small benches but little else. Most dorms have large ensuite bathrooms, with attractive gray-tile floors and spacious shower stalls with power showerheads.

Private rooms (doubles, triples, and one quad) are also straightforward, but they add more style and amenities. They have parquet floors, bright-white walls, and small windows with blinds, while beds have chic gray headboards with overhead lamps and smart, white nightstand tables. Private rooms come with small flat-screen TVs with cable channels, small desks and closets, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. A safe-deposit box is available at reception.

Dorm guests are required to strip their beds and return the sheets to reception when checking out, which is fairly standard hostel protocol. Guests have complained that blinds don’t adequately block out the bright streetlights, and some rooms can be noisy. All rooms have individual heating, but be aware that not all rooms have windows. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but the in-room signal can be touch and go.

Bunk Boutique Hostel, while limited, has a swish modern full kitchen, equipped with an oven, stovetop, toasters, microwave, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. The kitchen and the attached lounge, with cozy Chesterfield sofas and communal dining tables, are perhaps the hostel’s stand-out features. On-site vending machines sell drinks, snacks, and essential travel items. A continental breakfast is included in all rates.

A PC is available for guests' use in the lobby, along with fax and photocopying services. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hostel -- and while it works reliably in the public areas, the in-room connection can be spotty. Bicycle rentals are available, and the 24-hour front desk can book tours and make travel arrangements. Discounted overnight parking is available at the secure car park next door.