The Hawthorn by Galway Bay
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Fast facts
Check in from: | 15:00 |
|---|---|
Check out before: | 12:00 |
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Parking
Air conditioning
Pool
Fitness centre
Spa
More about The Hawthorn by Galway Bay
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay
Set in Oranmore, 13 km from Galway Greyhound Stadium, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay offers accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a garden and a terrace.
Reviews from 
Family traveller
Comment: 13 Aug 2026
Stayed in: Aug 2026
A Wonderful Stay at Hawthorne Bay
My mum and I recently stayed at Hawthorne Bay for two nights, and we had such a lovely experience.
From the moment we arrived, the staff couldn’t have been nicer or more attentive. Everyone we encountered was incredibly welcoming, friendly and helpful, which really made our stay feel special.
As the hotel is still in the newer stages of opening, we were very kindly upgraded to the next room tier, which was a fantastic surprise and really appreciated. The room was lovely, and it was clear that a lot of thought has gone into the hotel and the overall guest experience.
We also ate at the Japanese restaurant, and the food was fantastic. We had a really enjoyable meal and would definitely recommend it. We also visited The 2 Iron, which has the most incredible views and is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a drink.
And one thing you absolutely must not miss is the hotel’s in-house chocolatier! I tried to find out which brand of hot chocolate they use, as it was genuinely one of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had, but unfortunately nobody was quite sure. Whatever it is, don’t leave without trying one — they are to die for!
There are just a few small things I would mention, mainly as constructive feedback while the hotel is still settling in.
When booking through Booking.com, it mentions the option of having two single beds. This wasn’t actually an option in the traditional sense, as the room had one large bed with a Murphy bed available if required. The Murphy bed itself was brilliant, but I think the information on Booking.com could perhaps be updated so guests know exactly what to expect.
I also noticed quite a significant difference in the price of a glass of wine between the two bars. A glass of wine in The 2 Iron was €7, whereas the same option in the Oystercatcher Bar was €14. This actually tempted us to order another glass in The 2 Iron and take it back to the room rather than order one downstairs, so perhaps this is something worth looking at.
One other small suggestion would be the vanity/desk area in the room. As there are no plugs in the bathroom and there isn’t any natural light, it can be a little difficult to do your hair and makeup. If the desk/vanity area had a mirror backsplash or a good-sized mirror, it would make a huge difference and allow guests to sit down comfortably while getting ready.
I also think it’s a little bit of a missed opportunity that there isn’t a dedicated space for weddings. The setting is absolutely beautiful, and I genuinely think Hawthorne Bay could make the most incredible wedding venue. With the views, surroundings and atmosphere, I can imagine it being a really special place to get married.
It is worth mentioning that the hotel is in a slightly more secluded location. If you’re looking for somewhere where you can walk out of the hotel and stroll into a town, browse shops or have lots of things immediately on your doorstep, this probably wouldn’t be my first choice. However, if you’re looking for somewhere peaceful, scenic and a little removed from everything, it’s a lovely location.
Overall, though, these are very minor points, particularly for a hotel that is still in the early stages of opening. We had a fantastic stay, the staff were wonderful, the food was excellent and the views from The 2 Iron were absolutely beautiful.
My mum and I would happily return and are excited to see how Hawthorne Bay develops. A beautiful hotel with a fantastic team, wonderful food and some really special touches — and definitely one to watch!
From the moment we arrived, the staff couldn’t have been nicer or more attentive. Everyone we encountered was incredibly welcoming, friendly and helpful, which really made our stay feel special.
As the hotel is still in the newer stages of opening, we were very kindly upgraded to the next room tier, which was a fantastic surprise and really appreciated. The room was lovely, and it was clear that a lot of thought has gone into the hotel and the overall guest experience.
We also ate at the Japanese restaurant, and the food was fantastic. We had a really enjoyable meal and would definitely recommend it. We also visited The 2 Iron, which has the most incredible views and is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a drink.
And one thing you absolutely must not miss is the hotel’s in-house chocolatier! I tried to find out which brand of hot chocolate they use, as it was genuinely one of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had, but unfortunately nobody was quite sure. Whatever it is, don’t leave without trying one — they are to die for!
There are just a few small things I would mention, mainly as constructive feedback while the hotel is still settling in.
When booking through Booking.com, it mentions the option of having two single beds. This wasn’t actually an option in the traditional sense, as the room had one large bed with a Murphy bed available if required. The Murphy bed itself was brilliant, but I think the information on Booking.com could perhaps be updated so guests know exactly what to expect.
I also noticed quite a significant difference in the price of a glass of wine between the two bars. A glass of wine in The 2 Iron was €7, whereas the same option in the Oystercatcher Bar was €14. This actually tempted us to order another glass in The 2 Iron and take it back to the room rather than order one downstairs, so perhaps this is something worth looking at.
One other small suggestion would be the vanity/desk area in the room. As there are no plugs in the bathroom and there isn’t any natural light, it can be a little difficult to do your hair and makeup. If the desk/vanity area had a mirror backsplash or a good-sized mirror, it would make a huge difference and allow guests to sit down comfortably while getting ready.
I also think it’s a little bit of a missed opportunity that there isn’t a dedicated space for weddings. The setting is absolutely beautiful, and I genuinely think Hawthorne Bay could make the most incredible wedding venue. With the views, surroundings and atmosphere, I can imagine it being a really special place to get married.
It is worth mentioning that the hotel is in a slightly more secluded location. If you’re looking for somewhere where you can walk out of the hotel and stroll into a town, browse shops or have lots of things immediately on your doorstep, this probably wouldn’t be my first choice. However, if you’re looking for somewhere peaceful, scenic and a little removed from everything, it’s a lovely location.
Overall, though, these are very minor points, particularly for a hotel that is still in the early stages of opening. We had a fantastic stay, the staff were wonderful, the food was excellent and the views from The 2 Iron were absolutely beautiful.
My mum and I would happily return and are excited to see how Hawthorne Bay develops. A beautiful hotel with a fantastic team, wonderful food and some really special touches — and definitely one to watch!
Hotel response
Comment: 17 Aug 2026
Dear Thevisitor321,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your stay at The Hawthorne by Galway Bay. We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your mum had such a lovely experience with us.
It’s wonderful to hear your kind words about our team, your room upgrade and the overall guest experience. We’re still very much finding our feet in these early stages, so feedback like yours is incredibly valuable to us.
We’re especially pleased that you enjoyed your meal at our Japanese restaurant and had the chance to visit The 2 Iron and take in those beautiful views. And we’re thrilled you discovered our in-house chocolatier! We can now solve the mystery for you — our hot chocolate is made using Cocaya Premium Melange. We’re so glad you enjoyed it, and we’ll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to the team!
Thank you also for your constructive feedback regarding the Booking.com room information, the difference in wine pricing between our bars, and the vanity/desk area. These are exactly the kinds of observations that help us improve, and we’ll certainly take them on board as we continue to develop the guest experience.
We are so pleased to hear that you had a fantastic stay and would happily return. Thank you again for your kind words, your helpful suggestions and for being part of the early journey of The Hawthorne by Galway Bay!
Kind regards,
Guest Services Team
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your stay at The Hawthorne by Galway Bay. We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your mum had such a lovely experience with us.
It’s wonderful to hear your kind words about our team, your room upgrade and the overall guest experience. We’re still very much finding our feet in these early stages, so feedback like yours is incredibly valuable to us.
We’re especially pleased that you enjoyed your meal at our Japanese restaurant and had the chance to visit The 2 Iron and take in those beautiful views. And we’re thrilled you discovered our in-house chocolatier! We can now solve the mystery for you — our hot chocolate is made using Cocaya Premium Melange. We’re so glad you enjoyed it, and we’ll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to the team!
Thank you also for your constructive feedback regarding the Booking.com room information, the difference in wine pricing between our bars, and the vanity/desk area. These are exactly the kinds of observations that help us improve, and we’ll certainly take them on board as we continue to develop the guest experience.
We are so pleased to hear that you had a fantastic stay and would happily return. Thank you again for your kind words, your helpful suggestions and for being part of the early journey of The Hawthorne by Galway Bay!
Kind regards,
Guest Services Team
Anonymous traveller
Comment: 13 Sep 2026
Stayed in: Sep 2026
New hotel. Potential. But everything painfully slow. Drinks 15 to 20 mins in bar. Even a glass of water. No mini bar in room. Or drink menu for room service. We drove to lidl in the town to stock up on condiments for room. Would recommend this process.. .. Hotel no where near worth the price.
Stuffy, boring, slow.. But friendly and want to help. Sometimes over enthusiastic. But have no knowledge or training. Breakfast is tasty but slow..and staff have no knowledge, even what the selection of pastries meant. Staff are all young and that is admirable. But they need training and management.. They need to loosen up and be less formal..the service is not there and its uncomfortable having to wait and wonder did they just forget, every single dealing .? breakfast we were asked would we like a selection of toast? Whatever that is. But 25 mins later it arrived. Wine at meal took 15 minutes into meal to arrive. Coffee in room is a filter system without any instructions. Coffee is inside a tea bag. Bit you tear open this apparently .. All in all..very far from five star.. Maybe 2 star service. The fact that you are in middle of no where with such poor facilities and service. Leaves you trapped. They need to loosen up and have quick access to coffee and chocolate or sweets.. Maybe vending machines would work. They provide water and crisps in room. That's it. Forget about the bar service.. Go next door to golf bar and order at bar. Dont sit down and wait. We could not wait to leave.
Stuffy, boring, slow.. But friendly and want to help. Sometimes over enthusiastic. But have no knowledge or training. Breakfast is tasty but slow..and staff have no knowledge, even what the selection of pastries meant. Staff are all young and that is admirable. But they need training and management.. They need to loosen up and be less formal..the service is not there and its uncomfortable having to wait and wonder did they just forget, every single dealing .? breakfast we were asked would we like a selection of toast? Whatever that is. But 25 mins later it arrived. Wine at meal took 15 minutes into meal to arrive. Coffee in room is a filter system without any instructions. Coffee is inside a tea bag. Bit you tear open this apparently .. All in all..very far from five star.. Maybe 2 star service. The fact that you are in middle of no where with such poor facilities and service. Leaves you trapped. They need to loosen up and have quick access to coffee and chocolate or sweets.. Maybe vending machines would work. They provide water and crisps in room. That's it. Forget about the bar service.. Go next door to golf bar and order at bar. Dont sit down and wait. We could not wait to leave.
Couple
Comment: 5 Sep 2026
Stayed in: Sep 2026
Beautiful new hotel eager to make its mark
Lovely hotel, very new, great staff they all seemed very young to us but they were very professional, friendly and eager to please. We had a beautiful meal in the skylark restaurant, great cocktails in the bar. The library is lovely for relaxing in after dinner. Our room was gorgeous- we really appreciated the upgrade and the little extras laid on for my husbands 60th birthday. The icing on the cake was the spa - it was amazing I will have to put a separate review up for that because the two ladies (Eleanor and Patricia) looked after us so well we can’t wait to go back
Anonymous traveller
Comment: 31 Aug 2026
Stayed in: Aug 2026
Wonderful room, terrific staff, everything about this property went above and beyond our expectations.
Family traveller
Comment: 29 Aug 2026
Stayed in: Aug 2026
Good upmarket addition to Galway market, though service is not consistently 5* yet
I spent 2 nights in a twin room in late August. We had paid full rate, so were pleased to be upgraded to a very spacious junior suite. The view across the golf course to Galway Bay from the rear rooms is lovely (especially at sunset) and I would recommend paying the supplement charged for that sea view if getting a double room. The rooms are nicely finished and the beds are very comfortable. We eat in The 2 Iron, as we wanted simple Irish fare - it's in the separate golf clubhouse and can only be reached by exiting the hotel and walking a short distance outdoors, which seems a poor design feature. Offering some of the same menu choices in The Oystercatcher would be a good idea, at least in the wnter months. Breakfasts are fully a la carte and good quality, but food delivery was inconsistently timed both mornings and the waiters, while friendly, seemed quite inexperienced. I would recommend trying out some of the gourmet chocolates available in the Aviary or library.
The beautiful spa is a real highlight of the hotel; note that it has a spa pool, not a swimming pool. The gym has the latest Technogym equipment and a fabulous view out to Galway Bay. For those seeking an alternative to golf, there is a nice seashore walk nearby from Renville Park to Renville Point and in and around small areas of forest in front of the hotel and in Renville Park.
More than 4 days after my departure, I've not received any guest feedback request, despite the perfuntory receptionist confirming at checkout that I would receive one. My feedback to management would be as follows:
- titling your booking staff as "revenue officers" in their email signatures does not set a customer-centric tone pre-arrival
- offer some Classic twins that sleep 2, rather than requiring guests who want twin beds, rather than a double bed, to pay a higher rate for a 3 bed room
- most modern 5* hotels provide vanity packs in bathrooms and the facility to play music and stream films in their bedrooms
- open the gym earlier than 8am to facilitate pre-breakfast workouts and provide mats for sit-ups / stretches
- your female concierge is excellent and I would recommend she help train other staff on how to appear actively interested in guests (rather than simply courteous or helpful)
- customers should be automatically provided with their itemised bill for review at check-out or by advance email, rather than expected to simply confirm that their credit card can be charged a total amount
- if a customer raises any issue with their room (as I did with room lighting controls not working properly to switch off lights on my 1st night), it should be on their room file so that the receptionist enquires at check-out whether the problem reoccurred and offer reassurance that maintenance staff have been instructed to fix the issue - that is 5* customer care
- the spotlight ceiling plastering and skirting grouting in the bathroom of room 306 would benefit from further finishing work
The beautiful spa is a real highlight of the hotel; note that it has a spa pool, not a swimming pool. The gym has the latest Technogym equipment and a fabulous view out to Galway Bay. For those seeking an alternative to golf, there is a nice seashore walk nearby from Renville Park to Renville Point and in and around small areas of forest in front of the hotel and in Renville Park.
More than 4 days after my departure, I've not received any guest feedback request, despite the perfuntory receptionist confirming at checkout that I would receive one. My feedback to management would be as follows:
- titling your booking staff as "revenue officers" in their email signatures does not set a customer-centric tone pre-arrival
- offer some Classic twins that sleep 2, rather than requiring guests who want twin beds, rather than a double bed, to pay a higher rate for a 3 bed room
- most modern 5* hotels provide vanity packs in bathrooms and the facility to play music and stream films in their bedrooms
- open the gym earlier than 8am to facilitate pre-breakfast workouts and provide mats for sit-ups / stretches
- your female concierge is excellent and I would recommend she help train other staff on how to appear actively interested in guests (rather than simply courteous or helpful)
- customers should be automatically provided with their itemised bill for review at check-out or by advance email, rather than expected to simply confirm that their credit card can be charged a total amount
- if a customer raises any issue with their room (as I did with room lighting controls not working properly to switch off lights on my 1st night), it should be on their room file so that the receptionist enquires at check-out whether the problem reoccurred and offer reassurance that maintenance staff have been instructed to fix the issue - that is 5* customer care
- the spotlight ceiling plastering and skirting grouting in the bathroom of room 306 would benefit from further finishing work
Excellent location
Rinville West, Galway, H91 YXR7, Ireland|5.83 km from city centre
Check in and check out
Check in from:
15:00
Check out before:
12:00
Good to know
Please contact the hotel for details about adding extra beds.
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