Bunkhouse

The basics were there for a budget stay: a warm bed with fresh sheets and a big blanket, clean facilities, and a friendly cleaning team who were helpful each morning. Towels and laundry were available on site for a small fee. I also made good use of the toaster, kettle and twin air fryer to cook meals with inexpensive fresh food from Cardiff Arcade. The location worked really well. There was one night when the dancehall and bar downstairs were thumping, so sleep was a struggle, but I was travelling around Cardiff on a budget for three weeks. In the same situation, I’d happily stay again. Thanks, Matt, Jade and the rest of the staff!

I arrived after 1 am, and Matt The Proprietor was fantastic. The place is clean, easy to use and well maintained, and it’s good value in an excellent location. I’ve stayed in hostels around the UK and Europe a lot over the past eight months, so I’m speaking from some experience. For a stay of more than a few nights, the communal area makes it easy to be self-sufficient. There’s a Spar and a Tesco Express directly opposite for picking up groceries.

Before the 10:00 AM checkout time, a staff member came into my room and took my personal towel from the bed without asking. That left me feeling that my privacy and belongings weren’t respected. The manager said the towel had been taken by mistake for laundering, but wouldn’t accept financial responsibility or offer compensation. I had to buy another one to continue my trip. Reception was also unstaffed, so there was nobody available to help when it happened. I had a terrible experience and wouldn’t stay here if you care about your privacy and property.

I had a really nice stay, despite the negative things people say. The common room was clean, the shower had good pressure, the Wi-Fi worked well, and the people were nice. My dorm was cold, though. For the price, it was worth it!