Holiday Tags: Cardiff

This really is quite a nice hotel. Everything is clean & efficient, & the rooms are comfortable & pleasant.

One problem – we arrived after a five-hour freezing trip on the motorway to find that our room was like an ice-box. Other rooms were the same.

When I wrote to the manager about this I was told that this is the hotel’s ‘green policy’. No, don’t laugh. They don’t like to pour too much CO2 into the atmosphere, so they don’t think we will mind having a freezing cold room.

Think carefully about this – they actually think it is acceptable to leave our rooms unheated until we arrive, even in the depths of winter, because THEY have decided to go green (and incidentally save on their heating bill), without telling us before we arrive.

If you think that is acceptable too, then fine – great hotel. I find it absurd. I’d never return.

Check in was smooth & efficient & two hours before time! Reception staff were welcoming & knowledgeable. First impressions were excellent with an opulent foyer. Two lifts one with disabled facilities, ensured smooth access to rooms.

Rooms were spacious, with ample wardrobe & drawer space. There was a TV, hairdryer, iron & ironing board, toiletries & tea making facilities. The bed was comfortable, but quilts & pillows were flat & left a lot to be desired.The bathroom was a decent size with plenty of hot water for bath/shower, & a heated towel rail.

We didn’t eat at the hotel, as we found it expensive, but drinks were an average price. For a 4* hotel we found the decoration poor, with all corridor walls painted magnolia, & not a print or painting to be seen. Once a hotel to be coveted, because of it’s rugby connections, it’s now just a step or two up from an Ibis/ Mercure chain. Would we stay here again – yes – at the price we paid, it was a decent package holiday.

This is a beautiful 140 room hotel located in the middle of the main street of Cardiff. All public areas literally sparkled, & the staff were superb. The rooms were a decent size, simply furnished with pristine white bed covers & burgundy throws & cushions. Though fairly small, the bathroom still had all that was necessary, including complimentary toiletries, shower cap, etc. We could have had a bathrobe & slippers if we wanted, but didn’t bother. There was a lovely selection of coffees & teas & shortbread biscuits, which were replaced daily. When we had an extra cup one evening I asked one of the chambermaids if I could have some more. She pointed to the trolley in the corridor & told me to help myself & if I wanted more toiletries to help myself to those as well. …

Read the rest of this post »