Major UK company buys five star Galway hotel showing ‘strong Irish appetite’

A major UK company has bought a five star Galway city hotel as it changes hands in a significant takeover this week.

The g Hotel and Spa on Old Dublin Road has been acquired by Leonardo Hotels with the UK company adding the property for its portfolio. The expansive property is comprised of 101 bedrooms, three lounges, a spa, conference facilities and a restaurant.

After the purchase, Leonardo is set to assume management of the hotel from the current operator, Choice Hotel Group. The g Hotel will keep its brand and become part of Leonardo’s Limited Edition collection, which features individually branded hotels such as The Dilly in London, The Grand Brighton, Hotel Gotham Manchester, and The Midland Manchester.

Read more: ‘I eat all over world as famous reviewer but Galway restaurant has best burger I ever had’

Read more: Met Eireann forecast as ‘rarely seen’ summer weather hits before ‘big change’

Investment firm Alanis Capital purchased the hotel back in 2019 for over €40m.

Elsewhere this week, a post office in rural Co. Galway has been saved from closure after a new contractor intervened to run the vital community service.

The Connemara village of Oughterard had been at risk of losing its post office after the area’s post mistress announced in April that she would be retiring. The village had been served by a post office for 200 years and locals feared that the amenity’s closure would mean they would have to drive to the next town for daily services.

Applications were opened for a new operator or a ‘retail partner’ to take over the post office and it was announced this week by Galway West TD Noel Grealish that the post office would survive.

In a post on social media the TD stated: “I was delighted to receive confirmation from An Post that the new contractor for Oughterard post office will be situated in the village of Oughterard itself. The post office is the life and soul of any village and I was delighted to receive confirmation of its retention in Oughterard”.

One potential new contractor for the post office was Keogh’s Centra in the village which submitted an application for the licence in a last-ditch effort to save the amenity.

Grealish backed the plan, stating: “I fully support this, as I believe a post office is a vital service in any locality and I will be contacting An Post and supporting their application. I will be doing everything I can to ensure that the post office is not closed permanently.”

Join Galway Beo’s top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.