Chic designer flourishes and contemporary art grace this modern luxurious hotel overlooking the glassy waters of Lough Atalia and Galway Bay, about a 5-minute drive northeast of the city center. Many bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to take full advantage of those views, flooding the place with natural light. Service is outstanding, with charming and attentive staff. Treatments in the beautifully designed spa aren’t cheap, but check for special offers—you can sometimes find deals that include a massage, use of the thermal suite, and dinner. (Tip: occasionally these work out cheaper than the room-only rate). Talking of food, Gigi’s restaurant serves excellent modern Irish cuisine, with plenty of local meats and seafood; or you can have a more casual meal in one of the hotel’s three Signature Lounges. The “Dinner and a Movie” package is a good way to fill an evening—a 2- or 3-course meal in the Signature Lounge (€31–€37 Sunday–Thursday, €34–€39 Friday–Saturday), with a ticket to see a movie of your choice at a nearby cinema afterwards.