The Hostelz.com Review
Celtic Tourist Hostel is centrally-located with bare-bones amenities, well suited for those who plan to spend a minimal amount of time in their lodging. Rundown and outdated, the hostel’s atmosphere doesn’t encourage socializing, and a staff presence is almost nonexistent. Cleaner, more updated hostel options are available nearby, and Celtic Tourist’s location is its main appeal.
The Location
The hostel is situated on the south-east corner of Kennedy Park, about a two-minute walk from the train station and bus services, and a five-minute walk from the pedestrian district of downtown Galway. Buses to the Rossaveal ferry terminal that serves the Aran Islands leave from right outside the door, and the hostel is five blocks from the city’s tourist office. There is also a shopping mall with a full grocery less than a five-minute walk away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel has bunk dorms and private rooms with a twin bunk and an en-suite sink. All bedrooms are extremely small, with minimal hooks, no furniture, and uncovered windows. A fitted sheet and duvet are provided, but their cleanliness isn’t guaranteed. While all the rooms have door locks, there are no lockers in shared dorms. All rooms share two bathroom/showers on the second and two on the third floor. Water pressure in the showers is nonexistent, hot water is unreliable, and there is often a wait for bathroom facilities, which are cleaned irregularly.
Common Spaces
The reception and lounge room are located on the second floor, and reception is rarely staffed. The lounge is sparsely furnished, and not often occupied, due to broken furniture and a non-functioning TV. There is free wireless and a computer in the lounge, but internet access is spotty, and the lounge closes early, with no notice or listed time. The same is true for the small third floor kitchen, which also is locked until 8 to 8:30 a.m. Free breakfast is included (toast, juice, and cereal), though at our last visit, the milk and juice were outdated. Tea and coffee are always available. There are no laundry facilities, and if you have an early check-out or questions for the staff, you may be hard pressed to track them down.
Summary
Overall, Celtic Tourist needs further updating (though its website states it was recently updated), and some sort of staff presence to ensure lodgers are able to take advantage of the few amenities available. For a last-minute, one-night stay, this hostel would be sufficient, but fellow travelers we spoke to confirmed they would not be returning, and would not encourage others to stay at the Celtic Tourist.
The Location
The hostel is situated on the south-east corner of Kennedy Park, about a two-minute walk from the train station and bus services, and a five-minute walk from the pedestrian district of downtown Galway. Buses to the Rossaveal ferry terminal that serves the Aran Islands leave from right outside the door, and the hostel is five blocks from the city’s tourist office. There is also a shopping mall with a full grocery less than a five-minute walk away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel has bunk dorms and private rooms with a twin bunk and an en-suite sink. All bedrooms are extremely small, with minimal hooks, no furniture, and uncovered windows. A fitted sheet and duvet are provided, but their cleanliness isn’t guaranteed. While all the rooms have door locks, there are no lockers in shared dorms. All rooms share two bathroom/showers on the second and two on the third floor. Water pressure in the showers is nonexistent, hot water is unreliable, and there is often a wait for bathroom facilities, which are cleaned irregularly.
Common Spaces
The reception and lounge room are located on the second floor, and reception is rarely staffed. The lounge is sparsely furnished, and not often occupied, due to broken furniture and a non-functioning TV. There is free wireless and a computer in the lounge, but internet access is spotty, and the lounge closes early, with no notice or listed time. The same is true for the small third floor kitchen, which also is locked until 8 to 8:30 a.m. Free breakfast is included (toast, juice, and cereal), though at our last visit, the milk and juice were outdated. Tea and coffee are always available. There are no laundry facilities, and if you have an early check-out or questions for the staff, you may be hard pressed to track them down.
Summary
Overall, Celtic Tourist needs further updating (though its website states it was recently updated), and some sort of staff presence to ensure lodgers are able to take advantage of the few amenities available. For a last-minute, one-night stay, this hostel would be sufficient, but fellow travelers we spoke to confirmed they would not be returning, and would not encourage others to stay at the Celtic Tourist.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
June 2011
Their Description
Celtic Tourist Hostel Details
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
This is one of the better hostels I have ever visited. The staff were helpful and friendly. The location is very central for getting around the area. The rooms were very nice. They could have been a bit bigger but never the less they were clean all the time. It would be nice to stay there even for a longer time. (Comment by Craig) — Paul, Munich, Germany (2004-12-30) This is a nice and clean hostel. It's not the biggest one but it has great and helpful staff. The dorms are small and so is the kitchen for self-catering, but we had no real problems because we managed our cooking well. There's a friendly atmosphere, great people to meet and its central location gives guests enough possibilities to travel around. — Jean-Luc, Auxerre, France (2004-10-10) Years ago we were here and it was a nice place to stay. Now there's a new management and the hostel has improved a lot because of the new staff. The staff are great, helpful and funny people. The price for staying here could be a bit less, but we payed what they asked for. Still, it's a basic place but always a very clean and cozy one. That's what we asked for and we got it. — Luciano and Salvatore (2004-10-05) I have traveled a lot and visited many hostels — this was one of the nicest. It has a great staff and cozy atmosphere. What it lacks in space it makes up for in friendliness and personality. I found lots of interesting people to talk to during my stay, because although the hostel isn't the biggest it's well frequented by travelers from around the world. — Lody (2004-10-05) This is a very nice place this. It has little to offer in added comfort, but the staff makes up for it well. They are flexible, friendly and creative, and they give you good tips. The TV room could be bigger, and the dorms are maybe bit too basic, but the guests make the atmosphere rock. I would recommend this place to all who want their money's worth, and for sure to those who intend to stay here a longer time. It's a good place, and I made many a friend here in two weeks time. — Painted Bird (2004-10-04) This is one of the better hostels I've ever visited. Very basic, maybe, but with a very friendly and charming staff. The dorms are small but comfortable, and are kept very clean. It has a nice TV room and a rather flexible staff. The kitchen is not big, but it's well assorted. The location, near the Spanish Arch and the Tourist Office, makes it very easy to stroll through Galway and always be close, nevertheless, to the hostel. — Sil (2004-10-04)