What is The Dean Galway?

The Dean Galway is a Selected hotel located in Galway City, Ireland. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does The Dean Galway have?

The Dean Galway has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is The Dean Galway located?

The Dean Galway is located in Galway City, Ireland, in the Europe region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book The Dean Galway?

You can view more details and booking information for The Dean Galway through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

The Dean Galway | Selected in Galway City, Ireland

Name: The Dean Galway
Address: Galway City, Europe, Ireland
Rating: 4.5

Expert Review: The Dean Galway

The Dean Galway, a Michelin Key Selected property in Galway City, Ireland, offers a vibrant and stylish experience that has largely garnered exceptional praise from guests. The hotel is celebrated for its modern design, prime city-center location, and impressive array of amenities.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Dean Galway consistently receives high ratings, with an overall consensus of being "exceptional" and a "stunning hotel." Review scores frequently average in the range of 8.3 to 9.4 across various platforms, highlighting excellent value, impressive facilities, and exceptional cleanliness. Its selection as a Michelin Key property signifies a "high quality stay."

Key Highlights

Guests particularly love the hotel's central location, friendly and helpful staff, and the distinct, modern design. A standout feature is the leisure facilities, which include a heated outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, and a well-equipped fitness center (POWER Gym). The hotel's thoughtful touches, such as Smeg fridges, Marshall sound systems, Nespresso machines, and even record players in suites, are frequently mentioned as adding to the unique guest experience. The rooftop restaurant and terrace, Sophie's, is also a significant highlight, offering panoramic views of Galway.

Room Quality

The rooms at The Dean Galway are described as modern, stylish, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. They are equipped with contemporary amenities like rainfall power showers, smart TVs, complimentary WiFi, and luxury Brooks & Co. toiletries. Many rooms also feature a work desk, and some include a balcony or terrace. Guest feedback praises the great-sized bathrooms and powerful showers. However, some guests have noted that certain rooms can be small with limited storage space. A minor but recurring complaint is that some double beds are created by pushing two single beds together, which can be uncomfortable.

Dining Experience

The Dean Galway offers a diverse dining experience with two restaurants and three bars. Sophie's Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace is a highlight, providing breathtaking views of Galway and serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu at Sophie's focuses on American and Italian cuisine, with vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options available. Elephant & Castle is another dining option, known for its comfort food made with Irish produce. For a more traditional Irish atmosphere, Peig's Bar offers a snug setting for drinks, while DIME Coffee in the lobby provides a convenient spot for coffee. Room service is also available for guests.

Service & Staff

The staff at The Dean Galway consistently receive glowing reviews for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight individual staff members for going out of their way to assist, contributing to an overall positive and welcoming atmosphere. The hotel prides itself on valuing individuality and providing excellent service across all departments. However, one guest reported a disappointing service experience at Sophie's Rooftop Restaurant, noting slow and less-than-friendly interactions despite the quality of the food and decor.

Location & Accessibility

Strategically located in the heart of Galway City Centre, The Dean Galway boasts an "excellent" and "prime" location. It is just a short walk from major attractions such as Eyre Square (6 minutes), Shop Street, and Quay Street. Public transport is easily accessible, with Eyre Square Galway Bus Station and Galway Train Station both within close proximity, making it an ideal base for exploring the city and beyond. The hotel is situated away from the immediate noise but close enough to walk to everything. The property is also wheelchair accessible, with features like accessible bathroom vanities, elevators, and wheelchair-accessible registration and restaurant areas.

Value & Pricing

The Dean Galway is generally considered to offer good value for its quality service and facilities. While an average room price has been cited around $265, compared to Galway's average of $212, prices can fluctuate significantly, with room-only rates starting from approximately €97 (US$117) to €150. However, some guests have expressed that they found the hotel to be expensive, particularly when breakfast was not included in the room rate, or felt the pricing was high relative to certain room conditions or perceived lack of space.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include the perceived small size of some rooms and a lack of adequate storage space within them. The issue of double beds being formed by two single mattresses pushed together has also been noted by guests as impacting comfort. Additionally, a specific review highlighted poor customer service at Sophie's Rooftop Restaurant, suggesting that the service did not match the high standards of the food and decor.