Cardiff’s fascinating mix of traditional and contemporary culture make it a unique destination. When welcoming visitors, the city’s hotels keep this firmly in mind.
Cardiff Hilton Hotel (Photo: Booking.com)
The Welsh capital’s rich coal-shipping history and innovative waterside developments have imbued it with a soulful blend of old and new. Positioned between the countryside and the sea, its compact nature makes it very easy to navigate. With a shopping centre and vibrant nightlife that attracts people from hundreds of miles away, the city is constantly abuzz. Here, we’ve selected our top hotel picks based on style, quality and location. Listings follow in order of close proximity to the city centre.
Cardiff Hilton Hotel
Hilton Hotel Cardiff has the enviable vantage point of overlooking both Cardiff Castle and the City Hall. This luxury hotel offers spacious, streamlined rooms with air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Also in the offing are a 20m heated swimming pool, a gym, sauna, steam room and spa bath. Guests can sample modern Welsh and British cuisine at the hotel’s Grey Restaurant. Cooked or continental breakfasts are laid on daily. The Hilton Cardiff is 200m from Cardiff’s main shopping hub, Queen Street, and just a few minutes’ walk from its throbbing night life on St Mary’s Street. The Principality Stadium, St David’s Hall and Cardiff Central train station are all easily accessible. Rooms from £120.
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Cardiff Marriott Hotel
Cardiff Marriot Hotel (Photo: Booking.com)
Elegance and convenience work in tandem at the Cardiff Marriot Hotel. Suitably located in the beating heart of Cardiff with cool shopping arcades, swanky department stores and vibrant nightlife hubs nearby, this 4-star premium hotel has a simple yet sophisticated feel. Rooms are fresh, modern and air-conditioned, and some come with outstanding views of the city centre. The hotel has a fully facilitated gym, and offers 24-hour room service. If you fancy a few liveners before venturing out to the city’s bars and clubs, the hotel’s Brew Bar Lounge has a casual and friendly atmosphere, and an outside terrace. Rooms from £109.
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Easy Hotel Cardiff
Cheap, modern and cheerful, Easy Hotel Cardiff is your best bet if you’re looking to make your stay more economical. The hotel is centrally located – just out of earshot from the city’s main drag, Queen Street – and has friendly and attentive staff who are more than happy to help you. Rooms are clean, minimal and fresh, and come with flat-screen TVs and separate shower rooms. Rooms are also soundproofed, so there’s no issue with city noise when you need a good night’s sleep. Nearby points of interest include the Motorpoint Arena, University of South Wales (Cardiff Campus) and the Capitol Shopping Centre. Rooms from £31.
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Coal Exchange Hotel
The Coal Exchange Hotel, Cardiff (Photo: Booking.com)
An architectural icon on Cardiff’s visual and cultural geography, this magnificent Renaissance-esque structure is a reminder of Cardiff’s former glory as the biggest coal-shipping port in the world. Recently converted into an upscale hotel, The Coal Exchange Hotel is situated in Cardiff Bay (a dazzling waterside development buzzing with bars & restos), and is a stone’s throw from Cardiff city centre. Merging plush classical design with modern flourishes, rooms have a sophisticated and colourful air with en-suite bathrooms (double rooms come replete with spa baths). Popular points of interest near the hotel include the Wales Millennium Centre, the Norwegian Church and the Welsh Parliament building, the Senedd. Rooms from £94.
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Lincoln House
Set on the historical residential street of Cathedral Road – a tree-lined thoroughfare on the lip of the city centre that holds the title for the longest uninterrupted street of Victorian houses in Britain – Lincoln House is a carefully restored and redeveloped townhouse hotel with all the comforts of modern living. The hotel is within easy reach of Cardiff’s main attractions such as the Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay. A great retreat after a day of exploration, the hotel offers a relaxing resident’s lounge where you can unwind with an apéro. If you’re feeling peckish, you can head into Pontcanna (“the Chelsea of Cardiff”) which offers numerous enclaves of swish bistros and wine bars, and the city-centre has all manner of cuisine spread throughout. Rooms from £81.
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