The free breakfast was a nice touch - some protein options would make it even better but that’s nit picky. This hostel has a laid back vibe but isn’t too laid back. Rules are clear without belabouring them. It has great amenities/location/comfort and I’d give it a 5 on value for money except I found all accommodation in Galway so overpriced! We were a group of older adults and still found this hostel comfortable and would stay there again.

Only can suggest small improvements: - have a protein option at breakfast like boiled eggs - fix the door closers so they bang less - room with private bathrooms should come with towels - typically travellers that opt for this type of room are not bringing their own

At first when you enter the property and go through the typical tiny staircase you think the rest of the place is also going to be cramped… but actually I was pleasantly surprised. The dorm was a reasonable size. I stayed in the 7bed female dorm with bathroom. What I liked most was the atmosphere, the kitchen and lounge area were nice. Nothing fancy but it felt like authentic hospitality. Nice staff. Small breakfast for free, tea and coffee. These are small details but they make a difference. I was also able to get some laundry done for a fee which was nice as well. Galway is a walkable size so the location was quite convenient to go everywhere.

Just for improvement, I would say it would be nice to find a way to avoid noise made by the doors (dorm doors when you leave and on the top floor the door to the stairs as well) It’s a bit tough to hear the doors bang repeatedly early morning.

We booked the 3-room appartement. It is in a separate building, not in the hostel. The appartment was spotless clean, modern and comfortable. We loved the design very much. Good kitchen with washing machine. Free breakfast (tea, coffee, bread, jam). The location is perfect, right in the centre of Galway, next to the pubs and shops. When we closed the windows, it was quiet in the rooms. Good café in the ground floor where we could buy our morning coffee and fresh croissants. Parking place is very close (payable). The reception ladies in the Hostel was very nice and helpful, they helped in everything we needed. Thank you!

Nothing.

Location great, clean, quiet, friendly reception, comfortable beds, good shower, good value.the room could be bigger but I suppose for a hostel it's normal. We were next door to main hostel and the common areas were lovely clean comfortable with living room and kitchen. A basic breakfast of nice brown bread jams tea and coffee making facilities and rock hard flapjacks. There a little shop nearby so we bought cereal etc and used our own kitchen day 2.

The room was stuffy, we were supposed to be 3 in a private 4 bed room but were only 2 as my son couldn't come. It would be a bit cramped for 4 people but probably normal for hostel accommodation.

Good location and for Galway reasonably priced

Although booking had free cancellation suddenly told by email that unless paid before 4pm that day room would be lost as it was Rag Week.,..we were travelling at that time didn't see email until 10.30 pm when they weren't answering phone so sleepless night worrying whether booking secure.......,..suggest you don't try to change the rules at last minute. You would know year ahead dates of Rag Week so don't offer free cancellation for those dates

The guests were cool, breakfast was good (especially the flapjacks), and the staff were very helpful. I don't know if they had washing machines but I don't think they did.

Probably the guy snoring in my room, but the receptionist quickly gave me some good ear plugs and that solved it. The thing that's nice about the Dawson is that the toilets and showers are in the room, so I don't risk waking up the whole room when I have to pee in the night.

The had a 6 person room for the 5 of of us, and there was just enough space plus had a private bathroom in the room as well as other bathrooms in the hall that we could also use. The kitchen was available to make your own food with lots of dishes plus they also set some food out for breakfast. Comfortable sitting room & eating area as well. The location was excellent, right by all the fun, busy streets with restaurants, pubs, and shopping.

I grew up in the hospitality business and worked for many years. You can always tell the quality of any premises by the cleaniness of the toilets. Here they scored a 10!!! Room was good. 6 bed mixed dorm. Breakfast was available although I checked out before hand. As I was leaving, there were a few trays of lovely home made flapjacks sitting on the bench cooling. It is centrally locate about 10 minutes walk from Eyre Square. Lidl close by as well as main night life of Galway.

Only criticism was the storage lockers under the beds. They were very noisy to pull in and out and a little snug. I was woken 4 times due to this. Also, they do not provide locks for the lockers. This is a simple thing to provide. Issue a lock and get a refundable deposit.

Note : Kitchen area. Please have the silver step highlighted, as l tripped on it and fell from the kitchen, going into the hallway, on both of my knees, hands saving me, at approx 8.00 pm 11th Saturday January 2025 The Receptionest was notified, l was in shock. The following morning, at 8.00 a.m., l again told the morning staff the same story and pointed out the health and safety issue. Showing exactly where it happened. I only wear flat shoes. Eyrecourt, Ballinsloe, Galway.

We stayed in the apartment across the street from the hostel. Downstairs there is a lounge and kitchen area, and upstairs two bedrooms, shower, and toilet. It is pleasantly decorated and well equipped. There is a smart TV and excellent WiFi. It is on a busy street in the Woodquay area of the city centre, so there is going to be some noise! Accommodation in Ireland is expensive, but we felt to get our money's worth here. We were a family of two adults and one 17 year old and it suited us perfectly.