"Holiday" to Galway. I got a heart attack at hotel prices. Any good deals?

JackieChang · 29-08-2019 10:32AM #1

Myself and the missus were thinking of heading up to Galway for a weekend. My eyes were watering at the hotel prices. Close to €300 to stay for a Friday and Saturday, then there's another few hundred for restaurants and petrol and driving around Connemara etc. etc.

I'm not looking at 5 star hotels, just somewhere that isn't granny style. Even Travelodge, the least romantic Ryanair of hotels is €300 for a weekend. I used to live in Galway so just can't drop that much cash to see it for the 679th time.

We are now considering doing a foreign weekend away instead, but before we do that - are there any good "secret" hotel deal sites that I could look at? I've just been looking at tripadvisor, which of course searches all the other well known hotel sites.

KevRossi · 29-08-2019 10:39AM

Try hotels.com and bookings.com as well. Sort prices based on price, the cheapest ones are not always at the top.

What weekend are you going? Is there some big event on that weekend that has everything booked out?

A quick search on booking.com for the weekend after next gives plenty of hotels at €200-230.

Like this for €209 https://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/glen-oaks.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4AqK4nusFwAIB;sid=447c0155b7f5016d156e8f2795bc1d88;all_sr_blocks=31993706_97684220_0_0_0;checkin=2019-09-06;checkout=2019-09-08;dest_id=-1502950;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=23;highlighted_blocks=31993706_97684220_0_0_0;hpos=23;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=price;srepoch=1567071436;srpvid=7a1943a6360a015e;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

or this for €230

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/the-rio-galway.en-gb.html?label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4AqK4nusFwAIB;sid=447c0155b7f5016d156e8f2795bc1d88;all_sr_blocks=369702902_204007393_2_1_0;checkin=2019-09-06;checkout=2019-09-08;dest_id=-1502950;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=25;highlighted_blocks=369702902_204007393_2_1_0;hpos=25;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=price;srepoch=1567071544;srpvid=91dc43dc238e01b5;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

JackieChang · 29-08-2019 11:43AM

KevRossi wrote: »

Try hotels.com and bookings.com as well. Sort prices based on price, the cheapest ones are not always at the top.

What weekend are you going? Is there some big event on that weekend that has everything booked out?

I've tried every weekend in september. Tripadvisor also searches booking.com and hotels.com.

KevRossi wrote: »

A quick search on booking.com for the weekend after next gives plenty of hotels at €200-230.

Like this for €209 https://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/glen-oaks.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4AqK4nusFwAIB;sid=447c0155b7f5016d156e8f2795bc1d88;all_sr_blocks=31993706_97684220_0_0_0;checkin=2019-09-06;checkout=2019-09-08;dest_id=-1502950;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=23;highlighted_blocks=31993706_97684220_0_0_0;hpos=23;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=price;srepoch=1567071436;srpvid=7a1943a6360a015e;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

I know that place, used to live beside it. It's desperate!

KevRossi wrote: »

or this for €230

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/the-rio-galway.en-gb.html?label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4AqK4nusFwAIB;sid=447c0155b7f5016d156e8f2795bc1d88;all_sr_blocks=369702902_204007393_2_1_0;checkin=2019-09-06;checkout=2019-09-08;dest_id=-1502950;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=25;highlighted_blocks=369702902_204007393_2_1_0;hpos=25;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=price;srepoch=1567071544;srpvid=91dc43dc238e01b5;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

As I said I was looking for somewhere that isn't granny style. The rooms literally look like somebody's granny died inside there:

https://r-cf.bstatic.com/images/hotel/max1024x768/150/150872803.jpg

fdevine · 29-08-2019 11:48AM

Galway, unfortuately, is not alone in having high hotel prices but it is up there with some of the highest in the country AFAIK.

Ireland in general can be shockingly expensive depending where you wish to go.

Personally I couldn't justify the spend when a weekend abroad, including flights, can be got for close to the price of just a hotel here.

messrs · 29-08-2019 11:55AM

Have a look at www.mydealpage.ie & filter by short breaks and you should get a good deal there, usually are mid week and you pay supplement for Sat night, but you could get a Thur & Fri night for good price

dancingqueen · 29-08-2019 11:59AM

More often than not, those booking sites are more expensive in my experience. I was booking a hotel for Madrid and when I checked their own website it was half the price! Of course not only do they charge hotels for using it, they add on a bit extra on top.

Supervalu and Lidl have hotel break websites, they're not bad. You could try Guest Houses or BnBs either for the more personal touch?

JackieChang · 29-08-2019 12:04PM

dancingqueen wrote: »

Supervalu and Lidl have hotel break websites, they're not bad. You could try Guest Houses or BnBs either for the more personal touch?

I've actually never stayed in a b&b. Is it ok for couples? I don't want to be waking up proprietor Biddy Murphy when we come in from the pub at 2am.

LennieB · 29-08-2019 12:04PM

SuperValu deals can be good - also places like the Maldron Oranmore give you €10/night off if you just register on their site and book online.

ShamNNspace · 29-08-2019 12:06PM

You may be clashing with the race meeting on sep 16.17 or Oct 8__26..27 & 28th
Anyway I find hotel prices are gone back to boom prices. terrible value for what we're getting.. we got into the habit lately of leaving out the breakfast and having something ourselves in the room means we can lie in on our break
Going to Inis meain early sep for quiet 3 days ourselves

JackieChang · 29-08-2019 12:09PM

LennieB wrote: »

SuperValu deals can be good - also places like the Maldron Oranmore give you €10/night off if you just register on their site and book online.

Will check supervalu deals.

I've stayed in the Maldron Oranmore before - just a bit too far out if we want to go into town for pints.

tayto lover · 29-08-2019 12:10PM

Hotel prices in Ireland do not reflect Irish wages. Rip off.

dancingqueen · 29-08-2019 12:10PM

JackieChang wrote: »

Will check supervalu deals.

I've stayed in the Maldron Oranmore before - just a bit too far out if we want to go into town for pints.

Oranmore Lodge is actually fab, got a deal for my mother there not too long ago. Boathouse restaurant is gorgeous for a fancy meal too. Taxi back to Oranmore is no distance

UsBus · 29-08-2019 12:11PM

KevRossi wrote: »

Like this for €209 https://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/glen-oaks.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4AqK4nusFwAIB;sid=447c0155b7f5016d156e8f2795bc1d88;all_sr_blocks=31993706_97684220_0_0_0;checkin=2019-09-06;checkout=2019-09-08;dest_id=-1502950;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=23;highlighted_blocks=31993706_97684220_0_0_0;hpos=23;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=price;srepoch=1567071436;srpvid=7a1943a6360a015e;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

or this for €230

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/the-rio-galway.en-gb.html?label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4AqK4nusFwAIB;sid=447c0155b7f5016d156e8f2795bc1d88;all_sr_blocks=369702902_204007393_2_1_0;checkin=2019-09-06;checkout=2019-09-08;dest_id=-1502950;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=25;highlighted_blocks=369702902_204007393_2_1_0;hpos=25;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=price;srepoch=1567071544;srpvid=91dc43dc238e01b5;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

Don't know about the Rio but do not stay in the Glen Oaks....

dancingqueen · 29-08-2019 12:11PM

JackieChang wrote: »

I've actually never stayed in a b&b. Is it ok for couples? I don't want to be waking up proprietor Biddy Murphy when we come in from the pub at 2am.

I guess it depends on the place but you can find some really lovely ones. The breakfast is always better!

JackieChang · 29-08-2019 12:12PM

I forgot to mention after having a heart attack from the hotel prices I then went onto Airbnb and had a stroke.

Serious money to be made from renting out rooms and flats.

bcklschaps · 29-08-2019 12:15PM

JackieChang wrote: »

Myself and the missus were thinking of heading up to Galway for a weekend. My eyes were watering at the hotel prices. Close to €300 to stay for a Friday and Saturday, then there's another few hundred for restaurants and petrol and driving around Connemara etc. etc.

I'm not looking at 5 star hotels, just somewhere that isn't granny style. Even Travelodge, the least romantic Ryanair of hotels is €300 for a weekend. I used to live in Galway so just can't drop that much cash to see it for the 679th time.

We are now considering doing a foreign weekend away instead, but before we do that - are there any good "secret" hotel deal sites that I could look at? I've just been looking at tripadvisor, which of course searches all the other well known hotel sites.

It must be a long time ago since you booked a hotel in Ireland ??

You won't get to stay in a piss soaked Portacabin in a travellers halting site anywhere in Ireland for less than €100 per night. You are getting 2 nights for two people on a weekend for €300 in one of the most popular holiday cities in Ireland. You are actually doing OK auld stock.

Whatever you do, don't go into a convenience shop and buy a single pack of Tayto.... :eek: the price will probably give you a brain hemorrhage entirely.

ShamNNspace · 29-08-2019 12:24PM

JackieChang wrote: »

I forgot to mention after having a heart attack from the hotel prices I then went onto Airbnb and had a stroke.

Serious money to be made from renting out rooms and flats.

Some real hungers here in galway
Some of em rent to students during the week an get them to pack up their stuff on Friday an rent the room on air B&B for the weekend

tabby aspreme · 29-08-2019 12:30PM

Take a look at Love Holiday's website, put your dates in and pick which country you want to visit, and it will do the research

Ashleigh1986 · 29-08-2019 12:32PM

€300 for 2 people in galway city over the weekend .
That works out at €75 per person per night .
What did you expect it for ?
A lot of Irish people don't understand how expensive it is to do business here .
Minimum wage / rents on premises / insurance / rates / paying suppliers ... Hotels are in business to make a profit .
If you don't like what they charge .... Move on .... Into a caravan ... There's a few caravan sites in salthill or stay in a hostel .

JohnMc1 · 29-08-2019 12:34PM

fdevine wrote: »

Galway, unfortuately, is not alone in having high hotel prices but it is up there with some of the highest in the country AFAIK.

Ireland in general can be shockingly expensive depending where you wish to go.

Personally I couldn't justify the spend when a weekend abroad, including flights, can be got for close to the price of just a hotel here.

Ireland has definitely gotten more expensive over the last few years. I said to my Mom that its starting to make NY look cheap.

fdevine · 29-08-2019 04:03PM

Ashleigh1986 wrote: »

€300 for 2 people in galway city over the weekend .
That works out at €75 per person per night .
What did you expect it for ?
A lot of Irish people don't understand how expensive it is to do business here .
Minimum wage / rents on premises / insurance / rates / paying suppliers ... Hotels are in business to make a profit .
If you don't like what they charge .... Move on .... Into a caravan ... There's a few caravan sites in salthill or stay in a hostel .

What I'd expect, and what I got only last week, for €75 p.p.p.n is a Junior Suite in a 4* city centre hotel in a major European capital with free minibar & breakfast included. Flights were not much more expensive than the train to Cork but that's another day's rant......

I'm pretty sure most people understand that it's expensive to own, run & do business in Ireland, but your misplaced hostility towards those who suggest that the consequential cost of a staycation or weekend away is ridiculaously expensive only reinforces the notion to go abroad.

The OP was looking for advice that doesn't include suck it up or GTFO.

Ashleigh1986 · 29-08-2019 04:23PM

fdevine wrote: »

What I'd expect, and what I got only last week, for €75 p.p.p.n is a Junior Suite in a 4* city centre hotel in a major European capital with free minibar & breakfast included. Flights were not much more expensive than the train to Cork but that's another day's rant......

I'm pretty sure most people understand that it's expensive to own, run & do business in Ireland, but your misplaced hostility towards those who suggest that the consequential cost of a staycation or weekend away is ridiculaously expensive only reinforces the notion to go abroad.

The OP was looking for advice that doesn't include suck it up or GTFO.

So your now comparing prices of hotels etc in different countries ???
You obviously do not know the costs of running a business in different countries .
Other countries do not have the minimum wage we do .
Other countries do not pay the high rents that other hotels have to pay owners of that property here .
Other countries do not pay the high insurance costs caused in many cases by fraudenient claims here .
Other countries..... Your comparing apples to oranges

Tell me how · 29-08-2019 04:27PM

I'm looking at hotels in Boston at the moment.
Galway prices listed above seem very reasonable by comparison.

Does that not work out at €75/person per night?

Is that heart attack territory?

29-08-2019 04:32PM

ive stayed abroad and ive stayed at home and the standard here compares well most of the time at the price point.

cue "i stayed at the court of the king of spain last week for a euro including chips" away with ya ta spain so enjoy the chips

Ashleigh1986 · 29-08-2019 04:38PM

Tell me how wrote: »

I'm looking at hotels in Boston at the moment.
Galway prices listed above seem very reasonable by comparison.

Does that not work out at €75/person per night?

Is that heart attack territory?

Exactly.... I can get you a hotel in Vietnam for €25 per night .
Try getting a room in Dublin this all Ireland weekend .
It's all about .... Supply and demand .
If you don't like the prices for anything or to stay anywhere ... Guess what
Don't pay it .
Irish people moaning about prices .
No one is forcing you to pay for anything .
It's obvious some people can't afford certain things .
Such is life .
There's plenty I can't afford but this constant moaning about prices of things in Ireland .
During race week in galway I was listening to galway people giving out about hotel rates ???
They live here .
They won't be staying in the hotels .

Ashleigh1986 · 29-08-2019 04:54PM

It's like the lads that go to Spain .
" I can get a pint for a euro "
Ya and he spends 3 of the 7 days on the jacks ****ting shoelaces .

tayto lover · 29-08-2019 05:04PM

Galway is a bit of a rip-off.
Not much in it really.
Have any of the hotels got a swing.?

Odyssey 2005 · 29-08-2019 05:07PM

JackieChang wrote: »

Will check supervalu deals.

I've stayed in the Maldron Oranmore before - just a bit too far out if we want to go into town for pints.

Go for pints in oranmore

elderberry · 29-08-2019 05:48PM

JackieChang wrote: »

Myself and the missus were thinking of heading up to Galway for a weekend. My eyes were watering at the hotel prices. Close to €300 to stay for a Friday and Saturday, then there's another few hundred for restaurants and petrol and driving around Connemara etc. etc.

I'm not looking at 5 star hotels, just somewhere that isn't granny style. Even Travelodge, the least romantic Ryanair of hotels is €300 for a weekend. I used to live in Galway so just can't drop that much cash to see it for the 679th time.

We are now considering doing a foreign weekend away instead, but before we do that - are there any good "secret" hotel deal sites that I could look at? I've just been looking at tripadvisor, which of course searches all the other well known hotel sites.

How about the Ardilaun? Go to www.selecthotelsireland.com > use promo code "sel2for1" > get 2 nights B&B for €199 > that's for a Fri & Sat but availability changes by the weekend you pick

JackieChang · 29-08-2019 07:00PM

I knew the moaners and whingers would come along .. took ye a while though. Actually I was expecting the first reply to be 'AH FECK OFF WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ETC ETC." I would prefer if ye didn't reply at all actually. My question was about hotel deals, I wasn't looking for people to maon and complain.

I just think €500 on a weekend away in my own country and ex-city is expensive yes. €300 for a sh!tty Travelodge hotel plus a potential €200 on food and pints and petrol etc. I would usually rough it in a hostel but I've a girlfriend.

elderberry wrote: »

How about the Ardilaun? Go to www.selecthotelsireland.com > use promo code "sel2for1" > get 2 nights B&B for €199 > that's for a Fri & Sat but availability changes by the weekend you pick

Many thanks. Just under €200 and it's a decent spot. That's more like it.

Ashleigh1986 · 29-08-2019 07:09PM

JackieChang wrote: »

I knew the moaners and whingers would come along .. took ye a while though. Actually I was expecting the first reply to be 'AH FECK OFF WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ETC ETC." I would prefer if ye didn't reply at all actually. My question was about hotel deals, I wasn't looking for people to maon and complain.

I just think €500 on a weekend away in my own country and ex-city is expensive yes. €300 for a sh!tty Travelodge hotel plus a potential €200 on food and pints and petrol etc. I would usually rough it in a hostel but I've a girlfriend.

Many thanks. Just under €200 and it's a decent spot. That's more like it.

Did you read your starting post bud .
The first moan was on your part about galway hotel rates .
so you normally stay in hostels ?
That's why you find hotels expensive .

"Holiday" to Galway. I got a heart attack at hotel prices. Any good deals?

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