Hotels in Cardiff

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Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales, is a city that seamlessly blends a thousand years of history with a modern, dynamic outlook. The city is instantly recognisable for the magnificent Cardiff Castle, an architectural marvel whose walls span Roman, Norman, and Victorian periods, standing right in the city centre. Cardiff is famous for its passionate sports culture, centered around the Principality Stadium, and its beautiful, redeveloped waterfront.

A visit here offers a blend of culture and entertainment. You can explore the vast, world-class collections at the National Museum Cardiff, wander through the elegant Victorian and Edwardian shopping Arcades, or experience the rejuvenated waterfront at Cardiff Bay, home to the Wales Millennium Centre. Finding a great, centrally located hotel is the perfect starting point for enjoying this friendly, energetic city.

Cardiff is a very compact and walkable city, meaning most central hotels offer great access to the main attractions. Your choice of area depends on whether you prioritise history, shopping, or the atmosphere of the Bay.

For a central base close to the main attractions, the area around Cardiff Castle and Queen Street is the ideal choice. Staying here puts you right next to the castle, the shopping arcades, and the main retail centre. This area is the busiest and most convenient for first-time visitors, with a wide variety of accommodation types.

For a different atmosphere, the revitalised waterfront area of Cardiff Bay offers a more contemporary and leisure-focused stay. Home to the Wales Millennium Centre, Techniquest science centre, and numerous bars and restaurants, the Bay is connected to the city centre by frequent buses and a local train service. Hotels here are often modern and offer beautiful waterfront views.

For those prioritising transport links, the area around Cardiff Central Railway Station is highly practical. This is the main rail hub and a short walk from the city centre, offering a great range of modern hotels and seamless access for arrivals and departures.

Cardiff is well-connected by rail, with Cardiff Central Station providing excellent national links. Cardiff Airport (CWL) is connected to the city centre by a dedicated rail link: you take a train from Cardiff Central to Rhoose (Cardiff International Airport) station, and then connect with a short, frequent bus service (Line 905) directly to the airport terminal. When selecting your hotel, proximity to Cardiff Central Station will make your arrival and exploration of the city highly efficient.

To find the best hotel deals in Cardiff, you must avoid the weekends of major sporting events, which cause the most severe price spikes. The high season runs from July to October, when the weather is warm and pleasant.

The biggest events unique to Cardiff that cause accommodation to become scarce and expensive are the major rugby and football matches held at the Principality Stadium, particularly the Six Nations Rugby tournaments in February and March, and any major international football or music concerts held there. Accommodation will sell out months in advance for these dates. For the best value, aim for the quiet low season of January and February, or look for mid-week stays. A useful money-saving tip is to search for hotels in the residential areas just outside the city centre, like Pontcanna or along the main routes leading towards the university, as they offer better rates while still being a short bus or taxi ride from the centre.