Overlooking Galway just outside Galway city at Renville, the Fitzgerald family and their Connacht Hospitality Group's much anticipated new 5-star hotel opened gradually over the summer of 2026 - and arrival here may bring a sense of deja vue to some guests, as the former Galway Bay Golf Hotel still seems to be very much in situ here. But, passing by a fountain featuring an impressive silver sculpture of a hawthorn tree at the door (best seen in daylight), and on into the hotel, the scale of the changes are clear in the soaring foyer with its thoughtfully designed reception and welcoming smartly-uniformed staff.
Boasting a wide range of room types (all luxurious, many with magnificent sea views), a destination spa and two interesting restaurants as well as its famous Christy O'Connor Junior championship golf course, it's a dream destination for golfers but also for visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way and local golfers and diners.
Natural materials inspired by the nearby land- and sea-scape have informed the design - notably stone and wood, including a beautiful bog oak feature piece in the foyer - but the setting is king here and the views over the links and Galway Bay towards The Burren are stunning. The 18-hole championship course, designed by Ryder Cup golfer Christy O’Connor Jnr, will delight golfing guests (and all guests are welcome to use the adjacent Club House) and everyone will enjoy the coastal cycle tracks, birdwatching and woodland walks.
The food offering is unusual, with an open grill taking pride of place in the main restaurant,The Skylark, for cooking over fire, while The Oystercatcher Bar offers Japanese-influenced cuisine. Here, menus originally developed in collaboration with acclaimed Cork-based chef Takashi Miyazaki, are paired with cocktails including some signature cocktails celebrating nearby Ahascragh Distillery.
The hotel's destination Spa is quite something too, offering a wide range of facilities and treatments including Finnish and infrared saunas, a snow room with cold plunge pool, indoor and outdoor vitality pools, an outdoor Jacuzzi, six private Atlantic seaweed baths, a relaxation lounge, a fully-equipped gym and five treatment rooms including a dedicated couples suite....
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay opened gradually over the summer of 2026 and, at the time of the Guide's visits, was very much a work in progress - which is an exciting phase to enjoy.
