G Hotel closing?

galvianlord

the knocking goes on, who would ever believe galwegians are capable of that! As for dissin my place of work, funny man why is it a sham?

WildIrishRose

If the owner's of the Monogram group could read these messages.... i wonder what they would say! heehee

galvianlord

they wouldnt want to be sensitive. i'd say they'd have to wonder what theyve done so wrong/right to irritate so many people!

leninbenjamin

galvianlord wrote: »

ah come on, you havent even been there and you take umbrage....

reread carefully. i'm not passing judgement on the G myself, you were the one putting the negative reports down to one bad experience or people having it in for the place. I was merely suggesting that you rethink this obviously misplaced opinion in light of the evidence to suggest otherwise. face it, a huge amount of people don't like the G. deal with it.

galvianlord

sorry if i got ya wrong but i have no prob if people dont like it. everyone is entitled to their opinion. but i just think its a bit wrong that so many people are dissin it without someone pointin out the positives, think of me as the devil's advocate for the converted!

my opinion has experience to back it up so its hardly misplaced, more than can be said for you, pay the place a visit and try for yourself....it's a treat! a huge amount of people dont like it, well i counter with a huge amount of people do! this is fun

I've always found the staff of the g to be nice. We've had to interact with them on the odd occasion, and they were very helpful with us.

It just seems that, while the g is a nice interior, it is trying to be too 'hip' and 'cool' in a setting that does not suit it. If you ever look at it from Lough Atalia road, mainly during the summer, it stands out like a sore thumb.

Glaring neon lights, that bizzare upside down glass christmas tree they have dangling from the roof, and the movies they sometimes beam against the glass. It just doesn't sit with the horizon.

sensitive_soul

galvianlord wrote: »

God, there are so many negative comments about the place in this post! You have to wonder what it is about the g that gets to people so much.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/VideoGallery-g186609-d548446-i17073315-The_g-Galway_County_Galway_Western_Ireland.html

To start,...me and my friends could be quite classy girls, now we wear Brown Thomas gear and all respectable-now wearing BT's doesnt make u respectable I mean any aul sharon can wear Moschino........what I mean to say, is that Im not the vero moda/swamp/a-Look kinda gal.....take pride in my wardrobe..... ANYWAY....... When we go in there for drinkies.... the reception staff look at you as much to say 'what are you doing!!! you cant go in there, or they come up to you asif to say , oh you're in the wrong place......retards...

overpricing coffee when its not really coffee at all put filtered rubbish.

I've never seen it full of people.

SimpleSam06

WildIrishRose wrote: »

If the owner's of the Monogram group could read these messages.... i wonder what they would say! heehee

If they sign up, we'll find out. People are entitled to express any opinion they like, so long as it is just an opinion.

The G as far as I can see was built to cater to the tiger cubs, the nouveau riche of the boom years. Unashamed luxury, ostentatious decor, all the trappings of high fashion. I think what gets on the tits of many people is that its in a small town in the west of Ireland, and feel that it might be more at home somewhere like New York or Paris. Also the entire affair smacks more than a little of crass pretention. People would have been a lot more forgiving if it hadn't such an atmosphere of lurid snobbishness about it. It seems to draw a neon line between the haves and the have nots, and to a small town that is just not acceptable.

But of course, it was designed that way for the market segment that would be drawn to it, the people you see rolling around in 07 SUVs that they mortgaged the parents house for. The nouveau riche, or more to the point, the nouveau up to their arses in debt. The "haves" in this case are actually the "owes".

For what its worth, I don't think its an experiment that is sustainable. The "celtic tiger" is dying, and this country along with many others in the first world are being drawn into a serious recessionary period. This means people will spend less, and luxuries will be cut back on. The tiger cubs will spend the next twenty years battling to pay off their debts, and places like the G will be among the first casualties of that process.

LittleGoblin

I've gone into the G quite a few times on a Sat evening for cocktails. Honestly, I havent found anywhere decent in Galway for cocktails so I'm prepared to pay the price. Its about 11 or 12E and they are good.

I would have to disagree with people who have complained about the service and attitude. I have always found the floor staff to be amazing - and never encountered any snobbyness! We are all ex-arts student types, and I never get dressed up to go there. Usually wear jeans and teeshirts out, and I have never felt looked down upon in there. Lots of their other guests might be very well turned out but I have never felt like any of the staff made any difference.

We haven't always been able to get a seat, but usually eventually you will get someone - so I can't say I have ever seen it deserted. I always got the impression that other guests were generally there for a special occasion and to enjoy themselves, so was never made to feel uncomfortable.

p.s we are not noveau riche posh types... and they let you in with jeans that are all ripped at the bottom. I have never bought anything in Brown Thomas, and I am certainly not a classy girl (wannabe archaeologist) I actually find the Brown Thomas staff more intimidating and 'looking down their nose' types than those in the G.

On the other hand, I did nearly walk into the wall coming in through the back door - theres no lights... the floors, walls and ceilings are all back... and theres a corner in the corridor!

Sponge Bob

galvianlord wrote: »

would like to throw out there that these rumours came about when a new hotel opened in Galway and began to go after all our business...partic for race week.

The new hotel evidently TOLD the taxi drivers who were spreading this rumour first ...back in July just before race week I first heard it from a taximan .

I feel personally that the G is overall about a 3.7 star hotel, certainly not 5 on any international scale....nearly a 4 in my opinion.

galvianlord

Thought it might be best to give a neutral opinion on the same, so from this year's well-respected Bridgestone Guide:


"Amidst all the hype that happens when starchitects and handbag designers bestow design award after design award on the G,it’s nice to get back to reality, and to note that in their Riva restaurant they name check their principal specialist suppliers, and that amongst those suppliers are Western luminaries such as Sheridan’s cheese mongers and butcher James McGeough of Oughterard.

Serious people, who do not own silly handbags. Phew!The G is wickedly fine, and has what we reckon are the best bedrooms of any hotel we have ever stayed in. It’s location is awful, but that doesn’t matter, because this is an ocean liner of an hotel: you enter, and you don’t leave. It is a world unto itself, albeit a pricey one, but what distinguishes the G is how comfortable it is. Other boutique hotels that have come along after have been disasters in terms of offering comfort, but The G is very comfortable, in a lurid, Bjorkish sort of way. Bjorkish: that’s just the term for what they have achieved here: smart, funny, loud, skilful, daring, post-modern, punky."

Galwaytech

I have to say that what I really think of people who bash something that is successful is just pure jealousy. The hotels the group owns are busy and doing well. In fact they are doing very well. The rumours of the g closing, being used for something else or moving or any other rumours are just that, rumours.

People on the outside of any business do not actually know what is going on inside the business and therfore make asumptions or just pass comment to someone who takes it as gospel and passes that comment on to someone else as a fact. (Taxi Drivers etc)

A rumor or rumour, is "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern"

The fact is that the hat show put on by Philip Treacy for Gerry Barrett was a total success on what the g is. Pure glamour. Maybe locals do not like the fact that such a great hotel is in their town but I can't see why.

Let me also put straight the fact that a 5* hotel must have a pool and leisure facilities. This is NOT TRUE! A 5* hotel has to attain a standard of service and the g has attained a 5* standard. It makes no difference of location you could open a 5* hotel in any run down area or top notch area, the standard or service is what counts.

It is possible to go in to any hotel resturaunt on consecutive days and receive a meal that is perfectly acceptable to the price, and, on rare occasions, the meal standard is let down by something small. People always remember when something is wrong but rarely remember when something is right. The same can be said for the g restaurant, Riva. The standard of meals served there is very high and anyone having a meal in there lately will say the standard has risen to a new high because of the new chef. Try it out, you can eat and drink in Riva cheaper than a meal in the Huntsman opposite. This is not a slur on the Huntsman, just an observation.

The final fact is pricing in the g. A hotel charges more for drink than a regular bar because of the higher running costs. This is the case for all hotels in Ireland or even the world over. I have been in to hotels in Dublin that charge €7.50 for a pint of Guiness. The g charges €4.85 for a pint of Guiness. Can you get a pint cheaper in Galway.... Yes of course you can. Can you drink a pint of Guiness in better surroundings.... Yes of course you can because it's down to personal taste. Can you drink a pint of Guiness in a 5* hotel anywhere else in the city.... No as the only other 5* property in the near location is the wonderful Glenlo Abbey. (And they charge €4.20 for a pint)

To finish, the g isn't going anywhere soon. If you've not been, try it so that you can say you have and then give an honest opinion. Not everyone will like it, as peoples tastes are different. None of the staff are "Snooty" beleive me I know enough of them and they are all down to earth people just like you and me. If you don't like the g, well then that's fine as nobody makes you go there. The hotel is open to all, in whatever dress code you desire. I have seen 2 workmen pull up on the drive, in dirty work clothes and go in for a drink. Nobody stopped them and nobody looked down their noses at them. The concierge still parked their van for them until they were ready to leave.

Long live the g, and the group.

galvianlord

Galwaytech, needless to say I totally agree! The whole thing smacks of good ol' Irish begrudgery!

On reflection there is also a degree of inverted snobbery....

Galway is thought of as a bohemian city, where the alternative is welcomed! A city of pubs and music and the arts. This comes from it being such a young and vibrant city with a hefty student population to maintain this dynamic. To be alternative in Galway is a badge of honour. Now that's all well and good, but when people take that to an extreme and knock anything like the g for being pretentious are they not just saying that it does not conform to their own view of the city....it smacks of hypocrisy in that you can be unconformist only if youre a certain type, as long as it's our type!

The G does not conform to the common Irish view of a hotel, but by god it certainly stands on its feet internationally. Maybe that's why the rumours took wing, as competitors were frightened by its success and drawing power.

And all created by a man from Abbeygate St and Philip Treacy one of the most unconformist designers to come out of Galway let alone Ireland and a product of my alma mater, the RTC.

One would think it would be welcomed with open arms.....

Krieg

Nice post Galwaytech, but now I must ask, How long have you been working there?

Galwaytech wrote: »

Let me also put straight the fact that a 5* hotel must have a pool and leisure facilities. This is NOT TRUE! A 5* hotel has to attain a standard of service and the g has attained a 5* standard. It makes no difference of location you could open a 5* hotel in any run down area or top notch area, the standard or service is what counts.

Are you sure thats true? AFAIK there is no international standard rating therefore every country has its own guidelines on how a hotel is rated and generally the extra facilities are required to be a 5 star+
But im guessing that the irish rating system does not require the extra facilities and as you say, its based on the "standard or service"

Robbo

Pass the (posh) sick bag and deliver us from misplaced and mawkish PR efforts.

galvianlord

nothing good to say at all then....oh well doesnt really surprise me....misplaced and mawkish.....jeez, i think i my point stands.

Galwaytech

Asbad wrote: »

Nice post Galwaytech, but now I must ask, How long have you been working there?



Are you sure thats true? AFAIK there is no international standard rating therefore every country has its own guidelines on how a hotel is rated and generally the extra facilities are required to be a 5 star+
But im guessing that the irish rating system does not require the extra facilities and as you say, its based on the "standard or service"

Lets us look at internationally recognised 5* hotels. The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane. One of the MOST prestigious hotels in London or the entire UK. It has the upmost standards but does NOT have a swimming pool. Like the g in Galway, it has a thermal suite, a pool to relax in.

The Waldorf Astoria in mid town New York. One of the finest 5* hotels in New York. Does NOT have a swimming pool.

Do I need to go on??? 5*s are NOT about amenities but about the standard of service to the guest. It's something that might be a little alien here, but believe it or not, a 5* guest doesn't always want a swimming pool.

PS, I've been associated with the group since the beginning, if that matters here.

Fey!

You two have spent a lot of time defending the G. You keep saying about how good the rooms are and how friendly the staff are - both points which some of us had already made.

As for the amenities needed for the 5 star rating, I had always understood that there were certain requirements. Obviously I was wrong. However, one part of this which was ignored was the requirement for the premises to be operational for 12 months prior to being rated in order to show their service level, while the G rated itself as 5 star from it's opening day. Is this right or wrong.

By the way, the star rating system seems to vary according to country and according to company doing the rating.

While I feel that it's a good thing for two people (or at least two boards accounts) from the same company should fight their corner, ye are a little bit on the agressive side. A lot of us like to see local business' doing well; it's a sign that the city isn't completely dead while we're being talked into a recession by the economists. That said, some people have said that, as a personal opinion, they don't like the G, or that they don't feel it's up to the standards of other hotels within the same group.

Also, you don't seem to want to accept that the restaurant has had a lot of disappointed customers; perhaps the issues it have now been ironed out, but it earned it's reputation very quickly.

galvianlord

I dont mean to come across as agressive, just havin a philosophical discussion about the merits of the argument! So first and foremost if anyone has taken offence, none was intended. If I defend it, it was only in the interests of balance.

We could have had an entire thread of people knocking the hotel and its achievements, or we could have one which sought both sides of the story. I have noted that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in my favour I think any reasonable person here would see that there were much more snide/agressive posts knocking the place- some by people who have not even experienced the place - than any of mine which defended it?!

I may be idealistic but that's what I sought to do by arguing in favour of the hotel which I must point out I do not work in although I am employed by Monogram. On the restaurant I'll leave the bridgestone review of the past few weeks to speak for that. I feel i am gettin enough to trouble...

PS Just noticed the two board accounts comment...not gonna bite....I'm afraid it's must be just two like minded individuals! IP addresses can be checked methinks

Galwaytech

Fey! wrote: »

As for the amenities needed for the 5 star rating, I had always understood that there were certain requirements. Obviously I was wrong. However, one part of this which was ignored was the requirement for the premises to be operational for 12 months prior to being rated in order to show their service level, while the G rated itself as 5 star from it's opening day. Is this right or wrong.

Fey, you are totally right in what you are saying. There are differences in certain ways the AA or other groups rate the hotels, and you are also right in the fact that there isn't any real international standards group. There are recognised industry standards and this is where my infomation is coming from.

I am also not trying to be agressive, I am trying to defend something I find quite amazing.

On your other point, a hotel has the option of rating themselves for the first 12 months. It is important that the hotel rates itself according to the standard it wants to acheive. If a 3* hotel opens and says it's 5* then all it will do is loose face after the first 12 months when a true rating is done. A hotel does not even have to publish it's rating but again not a good idea.

In my previous post I was trying to point out that hotels around the world can be 5* without the need for certain stereotypical items.

I have a passion for this group due to the way that it works and not many people get to see that which is a shame. It is also very very frustrating when people who don't know the whole story (or even some of it) start saying things like the g is closing or is moving etc. The only funny part is waiting to hear what the next rumour will be. I'm putting my money on the g becoming the first nuclear power plant here in Ireland, but please Fey, that's just between you and me :-)

Fey!

Thanks for the clarification, both of you. As I said, I think it's good to have people arguing both sides, and I think that the success of the hotel is a positive for the city overall.

As for the nuclear power plant, it wouldn't surprise me if Galway City Council didn't object!!!!!

SimpleSam06

Fey! wrote: »

While I feel that it's a good thing for two people (or at least two boards accounts) from the same company should fight their corner, ye are a little bit on the agressive side.

+1

Robbo

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

+1

++1.

Must be quite the employers if the employees see fit to so trenchantly defend them on the internet.

galvianlord

-1

They are! But as I said all for a good balanced thread....

galwaygirleen

It may be a bit unfair to say that taxi drivers are spreading these rumours? Why would they the G Hotel or indeed any other hotel is always beneficial to the taxi business. In saying that the easiest way to spread a rumour in Galway is Tell a taxi driver!!

I have never been in the G Hotel but would like to, certainly would venture there for a cocktail or 2 before hitting town. Its unique to Galway and we as Galweigans should be proud that a Galway man owns the hotel, its interior was designed by yet another galwayman internationally renowned, so if ye havent been there like myself dont think ye should knock it before ye try it.

Rumours go around about every hotel in galway, Heard a few weeks ago that the Galway Bay hotel was due to close amist downturn in business like this all speculation!!!

Krieg

galwaygirleen wrote: »

Rumours go around about every hotel in galway, Heard a few weeks ago that the Galway Bay hotel was due to close amist downturn in business like this all speculation!!!

And not forgetting the one about the Great southern being used for asylum seekers a few months back

LittleGoblin

Apparently - The IBIS is being turned into a centre for asylum seekers. Electricians are taking out the light switches in all the rooms (very random detail -- obviously all asylum seekers eat a lot of carrots, or while you may have the right to claim asylum you do not have the right to switch on your own light....)

Any comments?

Galwaytech

Robbo wrote: »

++1.

Must be quite the employers if the employees see fit to so trenchantly defend them on the internet.

Robbo, When you are treated well you tend to gain a certain loyalty to the company.

I hope I didn't offend any taxi drivers with my comment but it has been noted that a very senior member of g staff was taking a taxi from the station to the g and was told quite openly by the taxi driver that the g was closing. She didn't correct the driver as she wanted to hear what else the g was doing.

There was also a comment about how proud we should be that a Galwayman owns the g, the thing that people forget is that he owns a hell of a lot more than just the g. He is the epitome of what anyone can do with a little self belief and a lot of hard work.

Another comment was that the walls in the g can be moved very easily to change the building to whatever, let me assure you the walls in the g are very strong secure and can't be moved easily.

Ladies and Gents, I'm sure we all have our views on how good or bad the g is or the Hotel Meyrick or Ashford Castle. Just please see that the g is NOT closing, the Hotel Meyrick is NOT closing, Edward Holdings has bought Ashford Castle. The group is getting stronger and will not be closing any hotels in the foreseeable future.

Now I have heard that the council is about to start digging a tunnel to to the USA and it will be arriving in Manhatten. Also, I did see Elvis in Leisureland, he was hanging about with Lord Lucan.

JohnCleary

Galwaytech wrote: »

Another comment was that the walls in the g can be moved very easily to change the building to whatever, let me assure you the walls in the g are very strong secure and can't be moved easily.

Why, have you tried to move them? FFS we weren't trying to imply that they were held together with glue and self tappers, but from a construction point of view, a lot of the walls could be knocked to re-design the building without interfering with the strength of the structure.

Prove me wrong though, I know how a lot of hotel workers are qualified engineers/construction workers/architects

dudara

I stopped at the G a while back while passing through Galway, because I was curious. We shared an afternoon coffee, a pot of coffee for 2 and a few small bites. Nothing wrong there. Staff were very polite and accomodating.

The decor is stunning, but I can see why it's not to everyone's taste. Ireland is only starting to catch on in the boutique hotel market and the G was a bold start. Personally, I liked it, especially the black bathrooms. (Ireland is slowly moving away from the flowery curtains, paisley bedspreads and dark wood of yore). However, I did note that some of the fittings are already worn and peeling just the slightest amount.

The G is in an awful location, near the cinema and retail park. But once you're inside, you are away from all that.

I recently visited the D in Dundalk in order to compare, and it is nowhere near as classy as the G. I would like to stay at the G for a night, I've heard great things about their beds.