From the moment of check-in this was a top star hotel and I should know I run one of the best 5 stars in the country. The building itself is grand in design and the staff were beyond helpfull my Mother is write your really cant beat the Great Southern. The Young Gentleman and lady at the desk were excellent although very busy they made time to speak to my mum and myself and gave us detailed information on the area.My room on the 4th floor was outstanding and had a view of the square which is under construction but thats not the hotels fault.

There was a little noise at night but one would expect that when staying in the city centre.

Will be visiting again very soon

Stayed 3 nights as part of tour. This hotel was built (so Im told) in 1849. Its structure really is wonderful and the entry is as elegant as the photos. The rooms however are far from elegant. The tour co. books twins as a default and I had to argue with staff to sleep next to my husband. Room 617 is good size and bathroom is clean. Note the mahagony seat and towel warmers (nice touch). The floor sqeaked nearly everywhere but what 100+ year old building wont? The windows really need to open a bit more since the 6th floor retains all! the heat in the hotel..(its Ireland- I came for the COLD). Cleaning staff is super sweet. Dining room staff are professional eye rollers-and without rights because the food was overcooked and boring. The adjoining pub O'Flaherty's is fabulous! The food was outstanding and staff were more than pleasant! It is located a very short walk from shop street where you will find everything you could need.

It's nice to go to a traditional Irish Hotel. So Many seem to be minimalist - nouveau choque etc. This was Irish staff, fantastic Irish food and certainly a grande dame of the galway hotel scene. I can't wait to go back

This grand old hotel has been nicely renovated and is conveniently located indeed. However, our stay at the Great Southern was not so great. We had reserved a twin room. We were given a double. When we requested a twin, rather than give us one of many vacant rooms, the front desk insisted that we were wrong and had reserved a double. Luckily, I had brought a copy of the reservation. After more haggling and several minutes of hushed conferencing between the clerk and desk manager, we were given the room we had requested. (I saw another couple having the same experience the day we checked out.)

When got to our twin room, we found that the toilet tank emitted a loud hissing sound every 10 seconds and the wardrobe creaked each time we walked by (it was unavoidably located across from the bathroom door.) We called down to the desk and were told that repairs would be made within an hour. When we returned after dinner, the hissing had grown louder and more frequent. It could be clearly heard through the closed bathroom door. We contacted the front desk and were told that the repair staff was gone and repairs would have to wait for the next day. We requested a new room but even though the hotel was far from full, they refused to move us unless we paid an additional $90 for the night.

Worst of all, however, was the heat. The windows cannot be opened more than a crack. Since it was early fall, the AC had been turned off. The weather was unusually hot that day, in the upper 70's and sunny, and the room was stiffling hot. Neither of us could sleep with the heat, hissing and creaking. Temperatures dropped over the next few days, but the room never cooled off. If you are sensitive to heat, do not stay at this hotel during the spring or fall.

The breakfast was fine (I can recommend the oatmeal) but the service is stuffy and prices very high.

Eyre Square is a mess. If you have a masochistic need to stay here, wait until the renovation project is over.