If I made a list of my favorite home-away-from-home comforts, Heron's Rest would cater to just…read moreabout every one.
First, this charming boutique B&B is steps away from Quay Street--no need for a car or taxi. There are too many great restaurants and bars so close by that it's a shame I couldn't visit them all. It's also in walking distance to the bus stop that takes you to the Aran Island ferries.
Sorcha Malloy, the owner and hostess has an eye for creating clean, cozy, minimalist spaces in the historic buildings that make up the Heron's Rest. Rooms are outfitted with down pillows, crisp sheets, and comfy white duvets with splashes of color from a vintage table cloth or Indian silk throw. Coffee and tea are provided, as is a rockin' crystal decanter of port for a pre-bedtime nip.
The view from every room is gorgeous--swans, fishing boats, and the B&B's namesake (Arthur the Heron) float in the Galway Bay just a few feet away from your window. Rooms are stocked with robes, slippers, hair dryers, and a TV (I didn't watch the tube but noticed it was small--if TV is important to you when you travel, this place might not be for you). The bathrooms are stocked with natural bath products. Bathrooms have been renovated and are modern; showers have plenty of hot water. The two single rooms share a bath but Sorcha had plans to renovate that floor making one large room with private bath. All other rooms have their own bath.
I saved the best for last--breakfast. Sorcha is a trained chef and the breakfasts were some of the best meals we had in Ireland. We started with a cheese tray featuring local cheeses, honey, and spreads. There were homemade savory scones and red currant & lemon muffins to die for. Each guest received a pot of freshly-made espresso (or tea) and a pitcher of steamed milk. Then Sorcha brought out freshly-squeezed OJ and an incredible fruit bowl with seasonal fruit (ours had kiwi, watermelon, blackberries, red currants, pomegranate seeds, strawberries--I could go on...). Local yogurt and flax were offered, too. And those were just our starters--next we chose between breakfast burritos with avocado and homemade salsa, local salmon-topped eggs Benedict, banana pancakes with creme fraiche, and a few other creatively inspired breakfast treats. Needless to say, breakfast carried us through each day until cocktail hour around 4:00.
Prices were reasonable, especially given the gourmet food we were treated to. My friend and I paid $90 USD a night for private single rooms and we shared a bath. Our other friend splurged, wanting a double room with private bath, and paid around $180 (it would have been $100 a person for two people sharing). There was also free wireless throughout the inn.
Finally, there are a few things I should note that didn't bother me but might bother some. Like I mentioned, don't expect high-def TV with cable; the inn is in the heart of Galway so some might find the streets a little loud (my white noise app blocked it all); and the rooms I saw were small based on what Americans are used to.
Do yourself a favor and skip Galway chains like Jury's Inn or the Radisson and experience the charming Heron's Rest Inn!
