Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre stands on Castle Street, opposite the walls of Cardiff Castle, which makes it one of the most convenient central bases for a first visit. It has 157 rooms, a restaurant serving light American-style dishes, a bar, a garden and meeting facilities, and it is part of the IHG group, so the service and room standards are familiar and consistent. Bute Park and the castle are about a minute away on foot, Sophia Gardens is three minutes, and the shopping at St David's is about nine minutes, with Cardiff Central station around ten. For visitors who want to walk everywhere and who value predictable comfort over boutique character, it is a solid mid-range choice with a strong location.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits on the edge of the castle quarter, so most of the city's headline sights are a short walk. The Principality Stadium and the Utilita Arena are within about a quarter of an hour on foot, Cardiff Central is roughly ten minutes away, and the Bay is a bus ride or a long walk.
Cardiff International Airport is about forty minutes by car. On-site self-parking is available for a daily charge, which is useful for those driving in from England or planning day trips to the valleys, though spaces are limited and city centre parking is never cheap.
Rooms and what to ask for
There are standard rooms with a double bed, standard rooms with two twin beds, standard rooms with a double bed and a sofa bed that sleep up to four, and premium rooms with extra space. All rooms include a flat-screen television, a desk, a kettle and a hair dryer, and housekeeping is daily.
Free WiFi and air conditioning are standard. Ask for a higher floor if you want quiet, and tell the hotel when you book if you need an accessible room, because accessible options are available in the standard category.
Who it suits and what to know: families, rugby weekenders and sightseers will get the most from the location. Free cots and extra beds are offered for children, and a children's breakfast option is available. Breakfast is served as a buffet for an extra charge, and reviews suggest variety is good but quality varies, so compare it with the cafes nearby.
Check-in is from three in the afternoon and check-out is by eleven, with early check-in and late check-out available for a fee when space allows. Pets are not allowed. The hotel holds Green Key sustainability certification, and it has a 24 hour front desk, a lift, luggage storage and laundry services.
Extra points worth noting
Because the hotel faces the castle, its views and its quiet side depend on the room, so request a high floor or a room away from the road if you are sensitive to noise. The garden is a pleasant retreat after a day of sightseeing, and the bar is useful for a quiet drink. Compare breakfast prices with the cafes nearby, and keep in mind that match and concert weekends push up demand.
Why stay here
- ✓Opposite Cardiff Castle
- ✓On-site restaurant and bar
- ✓Garden
- ✓Free WiFi in rooms
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Family rooms with sofa beds
- ✓On-site self-parking for a fee
Good questions
How far is Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre from the castle?+
It is about a one minute walk from Cardiff Castle and Bute Park. St David's is around nine minutes on foot and Cardiff Central about ten.
Does the hotel have parking?+
Yes, on-site self-parking is available for a daily charge. Spaces are limited, so ask the hotel when you book.
Is breakfast included?+
Breakfast is available for an extra charge. Check your rate when you book to see what it includes.
