Cardiff area hotel recommendations

Cardiff area hotel recommendations

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ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,023 posts

164 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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I'm looking for some help looking to stay 1 night (over a weekend in April) in the Cardiff area, the plan is to visit Cardiff itself, then visit the royal mint before finishing up somewhere nice for the night.

A quick look seems to be quite thin on the ground outside of the actuall city although I have seen the vale resort which looks nice, the room for one night is £175 so just seeing if there's any good hotels I'm missing out on before booking there.

miniman

24,827 posts

261 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Haven't been there for years, but St. Davids on Cardiff Bay is worth a look.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Check for events on in Cardiff at the same time, that can rocket prices and make booking a problem.

Some are OK in the city centre but parking can be a problem. Usual suspects though. At least as far as work will let me book so not tried the higher end.

Audicab

480 posts

246 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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I'd also recommend St David's. Stayed a couple of times and always been nice. Choice of restaurants isn't the best in the Bay area though just the usual chains.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Royal Mint, does not take long. Interesting, but short. The cafe was not the best.

Powerkiter

207 posts

223 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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I would also recommend St Davids Bay Hotel. Every room has great views of the bay.

I only paid £98 for a room there a few weeks ago when I went to see Jack Whitehall at the Motorpoint Arena. Going to see Coldplay in July this year; when I looked the rooms were nearly £800 !

Trabi601

4,865 posts

94 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Celtic Manor.

Ok, it's Newport, but if you have a car with you, that's not an issue.

Eat at the golf club rather than main hotel restaurant, as they have a great grill up there.

carreauchompeur

17,830 posts

203 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Yep, another for St. Davids. Went there a good few years ago but was made to feel far more special than the price would suggest.

Jamesgt

848 posts

232 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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http://www.holmhousehotel.com

Here. It's in Penarth. It's just near the sea front in a nice place. Then there is the James sommerin restaurant on the sea front.

hoegaardenruls

1,218 posts

131 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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jmorgan said:
Check for events on in Cardiff at the same time, that can rocket prices and make booking a problem.

Some are OK in the city centre but parking can be a problem. Usual suspects though. At least as far as work will let me book so not tried the higher end.
Likewise the work budget has never stretched as far as St David's, but have had that recommended to me before by locals. Cardiff Bay has become dominated by chains as mentioned, and the pubs and bars aren't anything special.

Over the years, I've tended to rotate between the Marriott, Mercure, and Novotel in the city centre depending on availability and budget.

Otherwise, the usual suspects with parking in and around the city centre would be:

Marriott - rooms a bit dated, possibly one the best breakfasts, most central location, and very secure parking

Mercure Holland House - public areas had a recent refurb, and good rooms on the larger side with some of the best views. Good sized, secure car park, although can occasionally fill up. Don't confuse this with the other Mercure, which is no better than a Travelodge..

Park Plaza - nice hotel, but opposite a strip of pubs/clubs. No parking, but the NCP across the street, and locked after 11pm - never had a problem.

Hilton - rooms a good size, but were slight dated. Good location, and the executive lounge has nice views over the castle. Valet parking only.

Holiday Inn - OK rooms, nothing special but location opposite castle. Open parking, but never had an issue there. My favourite Indian restaurant (Mango House) just round the corner, but haven't stayed for a while

Novotel - executive rooms in the older part of the hotel are worth the upgrade - a bit out the way though. Open car park, but again fine.

Jury's Inn - right on the main shopping street, but not stayed since it was rebranded (was pretty nice when Thistle refurbed it) - small car park.

Radisson Blu - parking always looked a PITA, so never stayed.

Park Inn - decent car park, but not stayed since rebranded from Jury's.

As mentioned, any major event at the Millenium Stadium means inflated prices, and a shortage of rooms in the whole of South Wales - I've ended up in Chepstow and Bristol in the past. The Marriott St Pierre resort out by Chepstow also looks nice.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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^^^^^^^
If I could add the Best Western Clayton to the above. If you get a corner room high up it is very good. Surprised me when I first stayed there, Best Western usually means a bit kooky.

However, it comes with a brazilian slaughter house restaurant.

Edit.

Thistle Park Inn is quite good. There are a few Park Inns.

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,023 posts

164 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Jamesgt said:
http://www.holmhousehotel.com

Here. It's in Penarth. It's just near the sea front in a nice place. Then there is the James sommerin restaurant on the sea front.
I think we may have a winner, I had actually been browsing this hotel so will take a look at the restaurant as well.

It's Disney on ice at the motorpoint so I guess I shouldn't hang about with booking.

Thank you for all the advice so far.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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jmorgan said:
Royal Mint, does not take long. Interesting, but short. The cafe was not the best.
DId the tour a couple of weeks ago, maybe I had lower expectations. Found it fascinating (although FIL is an ex steel worker so provided additional insight into the process). Also the walkthrough bit after the tour had some interesting pieces. The cafe was vanilla but did a nice coffee, soup and cake and was easy for the children.

As for hotel recommendations, we stayed at Jolyons many moons ago in the Bay, a nice little boutique effort. We have also stayed in the Bear in Cowbridge which is a lovely old school inn with rooms and furniture to match. Great beer and food too, Cowbridge is a lovely little night out with a decent choice of restaurants.

hoegaardenruls

1,218 posts

131 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
jmorgan said:
^^^^^^^
If I could add the Best Western Clayton to the above. If you get a corner room high up it is very good. Surprised me when I first stayed there, Best Western usually means a bit kooky.

However, it comes with a brazilian slaughter house restaurant.
No parking, otherwise does look decent - the Marriott car park is nearby, but about £42 a night if you don't stay there..

Do like the slaughter house restaurant though..been a few times hehe

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
DId the tour a couple of weeks ago, maybe I had lower expectations. Found it fascinating (although FIL is an ex steel worker so provided additional insight into the process). Also the walkthrough bit after the tour had some interesting pieces. The cafe was vanilla but did a nice coffee, soup and cake and was easy for the children.

As for hotel recommendations, we stayed at Jolyons many moons ago in the Bay, a nice little boutique effort. We have also stayed in the Bear in Cowbridge which is a lovely old school inn with rooms and furniture to match. Great beer and food too, Cowbridge is a lovely little night out with a decent choice of restaurants.
It was a good and interesting tour, don't get me wrong there, we had the benefit of being the only two for that time slot to boot. My interest is in the special they do as well as the normal stuff. Rumours that the tour will be expanded?

The cafe had pasty and chips and some watery curry when I went there.
Speaking of time slots, OP aware of that?

http://www.royalmint.com/en/the-royal-mint-experie...


hoegaardenruls

1,218 posts

131 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
It's Disney on ice at the motorpoint so I guess I shouldn't hang about with booking.

Thank you for all the advice so far.
It's never overly busy in Cardiff when there are events at the Motorpoint Arena - just the stadium. I'd avoid the temptation to use the open air NCP next door to the Arena if driving in, and use either the St David's Centre.


Jamesgt

848 posts

232 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
I think we may have a winner, I had actually been browsing this hotel so will take a look at the restaurant as well.

It's Disney on ice at the motorpoint so I guess I shouldn't hang about with booking.

Thank you for all the advice so far.
Penarth train station is 5 minute walk from that hotel. 10-15 minute train ride into Cardiff. If you drive, the NCP at saint davids is only £2 to park after 5pm. If I had to stay in Cardiff I'd stay in the park plaza. Penarth is nice. Beach is pebbles though. There is the pier, cosmeston lakes and Alexandra park near the hotel in Penarth. If you have another day to kill with kids then techniquest in the bay is good.

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,023 posts

164 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Jamesgt said:
ecsrobin said:
I think we may have a winner, I had actually been browsing this hotel so will take a look at the restaurant as well.

It's Disney on ice at the motorpoint so I guess I shouldn't hang about with booking.

Thank you for all the advice so far.
Penarth train station is 5 minute walk from that hotel. 10-15 minute train ride into Cardiff. If you drive, the NCP at saint davids is only £2 to park after 5pm. If I had to stay in Cardiff I'd stay in the park plaza. Penarth is nice. Beach is pebbles though. There is the pier, cosmeston lakes and Alexandra park near the hotel in Penarth. If you have another day to kill with kids then techniquest in the bay is good.
Well allthis is in aid of visiting st athan, rather than anything actually happening in Cardiff but trying to get the better half to have a nice weekend away at the same time, it's only the 2 of us (and no Disney on ice)

So we were hoping to drive up on the Saturday visit Cardiff (possibly the castle) then head to the royal mint in the afternoon. Park up at the hotel have some nice food and a few drinks then head to st athan in the morning before heading home in the afternoon via bath.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
So we were hoping to drive up on the Saturday visit Cardiff (possibly the castle) then head to the royal mint in the afternoon. Park up at the hotel have some nice food and a few drinks then head to st athan in the morning before heading home in the afternoon via bath.
In which case Cowbridge makes a lot of sense location wise both for St Athan and the Mint. Skip Cardiff entirely and have a nice day in the Vale.

BigRickus

112 posts

111 months

Monday 20th February 2017
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Stayed at St David's this weekend. Wouldn't again. Very dated. Spar was poor. Breakfast average.
Certainly not a 5 star.