Our rooms were small but bright and clean - and at only 45 euro a night for single occupancy of a double room they were excellent value for money - especially as a very well cooked, hearty breakfast (we didn’t eat again until the evening) was included.

The owners were helpful and friendly, everywhere was clean and bright and the bed very comfortable.

I’m sure most people arrive in this location by car so the distance into Kinvara, whatever it actually is, is not difficult.

Villa Maria is ideally located for exploring The Burren, Galway City and county – even a round trip of Connemara is easy to complete in a day. I’d advise people to stay at least 3 nights as there is so much to do in this area.

One good thing is that it’s on the main road from Kilcolgan to Kinvara so much easier to find (especially in the dark) than a property up a track, off a country lane in the middle of nowhere. Having said that there was no problem with traffic noise and there was ample off-road parking.

I'm not really a B&B person but thought I'd give this type of accommodation a go as I’ve stayed at many of the more up-market properties in the area and been hugely disappointed. To put it into context for value: about two years ago I stayed at Mount Vernon, which is not far away and offers B&B (and evening meals by arrangement) in an historic property. I paid around two and a half times the amount I paid at Villa Maria this year and at Mount Vernon I received a frigid welcome and a breakfast so small (and not containing the elements advertised) that I was hungry by 10.30

So, I’ve decided to widen my horizons and try more B&Bs in the future. As for Villa Maria – I’ll definitely be back.

Excellent very clean B&B lovely comfortable beds, wonderful breakfast.

We stayed one night at the Villa Maria in September 2007. It is on a narrow road and not close to town, but we were driving so there was no problem.
The room was cheerful, and very comfortable. Breakfast was in the conservatory.
The owners were very pleasant, and very helpful with information about the area. We had reservations at Dunguaire Castle for dinner and they gave us suggestions about arrival time, etc.
We weren't sure about getting to Athenry the next day, so the owner gave us directions as we were leaving.
We found this place and people to be fine.

We didn't actually end up staying at this B&B. We arrived to the B&B because our companion's lost luggage was being delivered to this location. I was told by email the Villa Maria was 2km from town, but in reality they were 3.5km from the town center, NOT walkable, on a narrow, unsafe road. I had asked by email if it was walkable and they obviously sideslid the question by simply replying "2km".

We had to cancel the reservation, but we were met with a very unfriendly host. Not only as we approached the front door did the host look wearily at us through her front door, barely opening the door, but when we told her we had to cancel the night she insisted we had to pay the full price for our full party. We asked if she was full for the night, she was NOT full for the night and was not about to lose any money by our not staying there. My partner was able to talk her into paying about half of the nights stay for our party, but I couldn't believe the attitude.