We spent 4 nights at Carraig Beag B&B based on Rick Steve's glowing recommendation, spent nearly $1000 (640 Euro) on our 2 rooms, and I can't say that we ever felt really welcome here.
The B&B itself is immaculate and the beds were super-comfortable. The breakfast was also quite good. The location in Salthill wasn't very convenient to central Galway. Walking isn't an option. The real problem here, though, was our interactions with the owner, Catherine. She gave a good imitation of friendliness and good humor but it wasn't difficult to tell it was just a facade.
We had a baby with us and the first thing she did was inform us that we would have to throw our own garbage away in the dumpster each morning. My wife asked her why? Don't you throw the garbage out daily? She didn't answer. I guess she didn't want to handle any garbage bags with diapers... weird but ok.
We were also traveling with our auPair. She's a really sweet 22-year old from Brazil. According to her, Catherine was down-right rude to her anytime she had to ask her anything and, for whatever reason, she did not make the beds in the room with her and my daughter. We didn't find this out about that until after we had left.
For breakfast we were forced to hold our baby, since she had no high-chair, and of course disaster struck when my baby broke a plate. I went to Catherine, apologized for the unfortunate mistake, and offered to pay for replacement. Catherine then went into a really creepy almost hysterical conversation with my 9-month old son, telling him in a voice that everyone in the building could hear that she didn't blame him and that it's always the bad parents that are at fault. It was like she was reprimanding my wife (who was holding the baby) indirectly and for all to hear. I just couldn't believe it.
On the last day, Catherine gave us a gift and was very pleasant to us. I guess she must have felt guilty about her former behavior. In the end we talked about it and it just felt happy to leave.
Later in our trip we met a couple who had also stayed at Carraig Beag B&B. They also felt the place was great but felt that Catherine was really crabby.
Next time I'm in Galway I will not be staying here. read more