| Dee our raving reporter reports from Galway |
Dee Discovers the Side by Side B&B in Galway
I'd wanted to visit Galway for a while and when looking for somewhere to stay heard of the Side by Side B&B (that’s a
guesthouse) which, while described as Women only by another reviewer, I’d heard it was Transgender friendly too.
A glance at their website and I saw the rainbow flag discreetly displayed so I emailed about availability for a Friday
night. An enthusiastic assurance bounced back that there was indeed room at the inn. OK, time to find out if we’re
cool with me. I emailed back to explain simply I’m a part time girl, I’d plan on dressing and going out shopping Friday
evening, then ditching the car and getting a taxi into town after glamming up a bit. It’d be boy mode for breakfast but I
promised no micro-minis or PVC gear to scare the neighbours.
No problem came the reply – we really hope you’ll feel comfortable with us. Call us when you get to the city and we’ll
come pick you up –Sally and Berni
.
They discreetly did not give out their location and Sally came to meet me near the University Hospital to shepherd me
to the house. But the kettle went on immediately we reached the house and I settled down with Sally for a great chat
(and chocolate biscuits) in the private back garden of a very discrete detached house. My car was even parked in off
the road. I’m already relaxed and completely at ease.
The house was lovely and fresh and airy and my room was great – ensuite with a super shower, a lovely bed and a TV
with DVD. That made two TVs while I was in residence!
Several hours later I’m ready to scoot into town and it turns out the girls will drop their guests into town for a nominal
fiver. This is the cats pyjamas – like having my own personal taxi parked outside the door! I’m feeling I’ve found a
home away from home now.
When I got back from town there was a wonderful smell of home-baking. Sally’s sister had been visiting and baking. I
said hello and then met Berni with her lovely Northern accent and the same warm easygoing welcome I’d had from
Sally.
10 minutes later while I was upstairs glamming up for a late night with a knock on the door Berni arrived with a
massive slice of Lemon Meringue pie and a cup of tea. I’m really liking these girls at this point!
Sally was my chauffeur into town and we had a great conversation especially when I asked about breakfast time!
Whenever you get up – Now I think I’m in love! I’m also given a card with the taxi service they always use so I’m all set.
Breakfast was served literally when I felt like it and it was a really relaxed affair with a great chat with two girls on
holidays from Rhode Island. Once Berni landed the Full Irish (that’s a big traditional breakfast for you non-Irish) in
front of me Berni sat down with us and the conversation just rolled on. Sally joined us a while later and I could have sat
there all day kicking back and enjoying the chat.
I was sorry I had to leave and I can’t wait for a return visit. It is great to be able to say that first and foremost this is a
top quality and very friendly B&B. It’s an even greater pleasure to be able to say Sally and Berni run a truly LGBT
friendly house. They are totally discreet while being really welcoming and friendly.
I’ve stayed in guesthouses that were so cold in every sense with nylon sheets, mean breakfasts served until 9.30 or
hard luck, plastic shower curtains etc. and I’ve stayed in LGBT flagged places in the UK that were pokey and grotty.
Side by Side couldn’t be farther from either of those stereotypes and I’d like nothing better than to spend a week’s
holidays there.
To reassure those who value privacy, Berni and Sally really only use first names, your credit card number only
secures the booking so pay cash on arrival and it won’t show anything on your statement. The house is lovely -nice
double rooms and get this, no single supplement - could you ask for better?
If you’re a TG and don’t want to go out, the girls are cool to have you dress and stay in but probably better to let them
know when booking to ensure compatibility with other guests. Tell them I sent you and they’ll have an idea what to
expect. There’s also a possibility for a few people to have the house for a bit of a TG social. If you do want to dress
and go to town keep in mind the house is in a quiet residential area. Dress accordingly or wait for sundown so you don’
t go and spoil it for me by scaring the neighbours!
I'd wanted to visit Galway for a while and when looking for somewhere to stay heard of the Side by Side B&B (that’s a
guesthouse) which, while described as Women only by another reviewer, I’d heard it was Transgender friendly too.
A glance at their website and I saw the rainbow flag discreetly displayed so I emailed about availability for a Friday
night. An enthusiastic assurance bounced back that there was indeed room at the inn. OK, time to find out if we’re
cool with me. I emailed back to explain simply I’m a part time girl, I’d plan on dressing and going out shopping Friday
evening, then ditching the car and getting a taxi into town after glamming up a bit. It’d be boy mode for breakfast but I
promised no micro-minis or PVC gear to scare the neighbours.
No problem came the reply – we really hope you’ll feel comfortable with us. Call us when you get to the city and we’ll
come pick you up –Sally and Berni
.
They discreetly did not give out their location and Sally came to meet me near the University Hospital to shepherd me
to the house. But the kettle went on immediately we reached the house and I settled down with Sally for a great chat
(and chocolate biscuits) in the private back garden of a very discrete detached house. My car was even parked in off
the road. I’m already relaxed and completely at ease.
The house was lovely and fresh and airy and my room was great – ensuite with a super shower, a lovely bed and a TV
with DVD. That made two TVs while I was in residence!
Several hours later I’m ready to scoot into town and it turns out the girls will drop their guests into town for a nominal
fiver. This is the cats pyjamas – like having my own personal taxi parked outside the door! I’m feeling I’ve found a
home away from home now.
When I got back from town there was a wonderful smell of home-baking. Sally’s sister had been visiting and baking. I
said hello and then met Berni with her lovely Northern accent and the same warm easygoing welcome I’d had from
Sally.
10 minutes later while I was upstairs glamming up for a late night with a knock on the door Berni arrived with a
massive slice of Lemon Meringue pie and a cup of tea. I’m really liking these girls at this point!
Sally was my chauffeur into town and we had a great conversation especially when I asked about breakfast time!
Whenever you get up – Now I think I’m in love! I’m also given a card with the taxi service they always use so I’m all set.
Breakfast was served literally when I felt like it and it was a really relaxed affair with a great chat with two girls on
holidays from Rhode Island. Once Berni landed the Full Irish (that’s a big traditional breakfast for you non-Irish) in
front of me Berni sat down with us and the conversation just rolled on. Sally joined us a while later and I could have sat
there all day kicking back and enjoying the chat.
I was sorry I had to leave and I can’t wait for a return visit. It is great to be able to say that first and foremost this is a
top quality and very friendly B&B. It’s an even greater pleasure to be able to say Sally and Berni run a truly LGBT
friendly house. They are totally discreet while being really welcoming and friendly.
I’ve stayed in guesthouses that were so cold in every sense with nylon sheets, mean breakfasts served until 9.30 or
hard luck, plastic shower curtains etc. and I’ve stayed in LGBT flagged places in the UK that were pokey and grotty.
Side by Side couldn’t be farther from either of those stereotypes and I’d like nothing better than to spend a week’s
holidays there.
To reassure those who value privacy, Berni and Sally really only use first names, your credit card number only
secures the booking so pay cash on arrival and it won’t show anything on your statement. The house is lovely -nice
double rooms and get this, no single supplement - could you ask for better?
If you’re a TG and don’t want to go out, the girls are cool to have you dress and stay in but probably better to let them
know when booking to ensure compatibility with other guests. Tell them I sent you and they’ll have an idea what to
expect. There’s also a possibility for a few people to have the house for a bit of a TG social. If you do want to dress
and go to town keep in mind the house is in a quiet residential area. Dress accordingly or wait for sundown so you don’
t go and spoil it for me by scaring the neighbours!
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