Stayed with this hotel with my husband and family for my 30th birthday
and what a treat it was!

This hotel is beautifully appointed and very reasonably priced. We have stayed in the G and can see that it is similarly decorated – but a quarter of the price. It originally was the Twelve Pins, but was raised to the ground a couple of years back, so it is relatively new, modern and very trendy.

High points:
-Check and check out were painless as we were attended to by efficient, helpful and friendly staff. We were shown to our rooms and given a summary of useful information re the personal phone system etc.
-The rooms are beautifully decorated and are equipped with all the mod cons needed and more! (Including an ipod docking station, air conditioning, plasma TV and DVD player and a coffee making machine!).
-We booked into a suite which consisted of the bedroom, bathroom and separate living quarters. The room was really spacious and the living area was kitted out with a drinks cabinet, big fridge, sink, microwave and great selection of glasses etc.
-The beds were huge, feathered quilt and pillows which were extremely comfortable.
-Bathrobe and slippers were supplied.
-Separate fridge in the bedroom and the mini bar was stocked with a great selection of beverages and nibbles including my favorite Peroni beer!
-There was an electronic safe in the room.
-The bathroom was spectacular equipped with lights which changed colour! The shower had a watering can shower head and the pressure was good. Again, the bathroom was kitted out to a very high spec and there was a great supply of high quality toiletries (full sized bottles as opposed to sample sizes).
-The bedrooms were separated by a door and private hallway from the main corridor, 2 rooms per door and hallway. This meant that the sound proofing was greatly improved and you were not subject to doors banging etc.
-Our experience with the staff was second to none as nothing seemed to be too much trouble and they went out of their way to under promise whilst over delivering. Personal touches included a hand written, personally addressed welcome card and big box of handmade chocolates. Chocolates were also delivered nightly as part of the turndown service.
-Whilst the selection for the breakfast wasn’t the best we have ever experienced, the full Irish was cooked to order meaning that it was really fresh. It was really tasty included sausages, rashers, eggs, beans, sautéed mushrooms, onions and potatoes and toast.
-Underground parking provided for guests with easy access lifts.
-Lively, trendy hotel bar (The Pins) which seems to attract locals as well as residents. Great selection of cocktails available (it does take them an age to make them, but they are worth the wait!).
-On Saturday night we were offered an extra nights accommodation at a knock down price of €30 per head B+B!! Unfortunately we couldn’t avail
of it, but what a deal!

Possible points to consider
-The hotel in is in Barna which is approximately 8 kms from Galway city. Taxis are readily available and we were charged a max of €18 to carry five of us on a Saturday night.
-Other than breakfast we didn’t eat in the hotel. There are two other good restaurants in Barna, Donnelly’s (directly across the road) and O’Grady’s on the pier, possibly one of the best seafood restaurants in Galway.
-All the rooms are non smoking, but some of the rooms have a balcony and they seem happy enough for you to smoke out there.
-That’s it!!

We will definitely be returning to this hotel as it was definitely the icing and cherry on the cake for a special occasion. Would we recommend it…..without a shadow of a doubt!