TL;DR

Modern boutique: hotel right in Galway’s city centre.
Lively atmosphere: thanks to the popular onsite Hyde Bar.
Easy base: for nightlife, shopping, and sightseeing on foot.
Check prices here

HYDE is a sleek, contemporary boutique hotel in the centre of Galway, with a good social scene.

It’s not trying to reinvent any formulas, but as a hotel it’s straightforward, stylish and likable.

The once mod-looking building certainly catches the eye, though we aren’t entirely charmed by the exteriors..

It’s not the look that suits Galway, maybe, though it does add some variety to the streetscape.

But nonetheless, once in the door of the HYDE you’re in excellent hands.

The onsite bar is popular with all sorts of people, and a good place for a lively night out.

Of course, this means anyone who came to Galway for r&r might want to look elsewhere.

We’d say the same about any hotel in the centre of the city though in fairness

If you want a energetic, stylish base for a night of revelry in Galway though the HYDE is a great option.

What are the rooms like?

69 rooms,: including compact singles and larger statement suites.
Comfort-first: design that’s pleasant but intentionally understated.
Standout suites: add extra space, marble, and separate living areas.
See all the rooms in detail here

Rooms are friendly, comfortable spaces, though without too much personality, maybe.

There’s nothing wrong with them, but we’ve seen all the decor before, and there’s no adding their own touch.

In the Superior options, you’ll find that lovely floral wallpaper you’ve seen before, with plush throws and realy carpety carpets.

Standard guest rooms offer gray-ish blue on gray, a description that might sound shady, but we don’t mind the simplicity, especially as it puts the focus more on comfort.

Single rooms are small, we’ll warn you, around 16 square metres. Yet, all above that, including standard Doubles and Superior Singles, are perfectly roomy.

And if you want something super-chic, go for a two-bedroom Jekyll & Hyde Suite.

They have separate living areas and plenty of marble accents.

Every option is well-equipped with a TV with Chromecast, tea and coffee, and a sleek bathroom with bath and shower.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Popular dining: and drinks that draw both guests and locals.
Casual café: option for light bites and coffee.
Facilities-light: setup beyond food, drink, and events.

The HYDE is well known for food and drink, and can get busy with locals, too.

Breakfast, you’ll be fine for, but evenings and even the mimosa-filled weekend brunches might be more competitive to get a table.

If you’re not a formal sit-down type, head to WYLDE, the cute, casual cafe. Here you can grab some small bites and a latte to keep your day on the right track.

Need a private event space? Their JEKYLL space is available for rentals. It’s lovely, full of plants, and catered to, of course, by the HYDE.

Otherwise, it’s facilities lite, but the friendly staff will be more than happy to help you find what you need offsite.

How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Prime location: in the heart of Galway’s historic centre.
Lively streets: with nightlife, shopping, and crowds nearby.
Easy access: to day trips around Galway and Connemara.

The HYDE Hotel is on Forster Street, just off Eyre Square, in the very centre of Galway.

The street isn’t overly peaceful, as most streets in the centre of Galway are, especially at night, but it could be worse in terms of noise.

Eyre Square is just up the street, and then about ten minutes beyond, you have the Latin Quarter.

It’s busier and noisier around there, but it’s also where you’ll find a lot of the best bars.

Just outside the city, you also have great options for day trips.

The Aran Islands are a popular choice, of course, but you can also take a drive around Lough Corrib, or over to Clifden, taking in Connemara’s wonderful scenery along the way.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Check in was very fast. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Bed was very comfortable. Bathroom was very clean, loved the shower and the lights around the mirror. Eyre Square shopping centre was a two minute walk from the hotel….”

“Loved the location. Perfect for walking to shops, restaurants and bars. Lovely bar in hotel too that I could bring my teenage children into at night. Parking available close by in City car park which was validated at hotel. 24 hour parking cost us €12. Breakfast was Al a carte and very tasty. Had lunch in Wilde café which is located in hotel. Pastries, açai bowls and coffees were amazing. It’s also a beautiful cafe and so nicely decorated….”