Cardiff Marriott Hotel

The staff were lovely and helpful, and the lobby felt clean and welcoming. We didn't eat at the restaurant, though it was packed each night. We had a drink in the hotel bar on our first night, but it was much more expensive than nearby pubs and bars. The room was only okay and didn't feel up to the hotel's general standard. There were heavy, food-like stains on the carpet and thick mud in a corner, so it seemed not to have been vacuumed or checked properly. It needs a deep clean. The bed linen and bathroom, on the other hand, were very clean. This weekend stay was convenient for the station, shops, restaurants and bars, but the hotel is extremely noisy, just a stone's throw from busy bars and clubs. I'd stay again for the location and friendly staff, but for the price, management should be checking room cleanliness more carefully.

The room felt worn out and the carpet needed cleaning. The bed was awful. It felt uncomfortable when I arrived, but I thought maybe it was just me. After two nights, both of us still had sore backs and sides. I told the desk staff as we left. They said they'd make a note, but I don't think I'll be back. I've stayed here before and loved it. This time wasn't nearly as good. The staff were amazing and make the hotel for me. Breakfast was great, and the waiting staff were helpful.

There were a couple of times when better communication about safety would have helped. Our first-floor room's windows normally weren't overlooked, but I was startled to see workmen walking past one day while they were doing roof repairs. On Monday afternoon the fire alarm sounded, so I put on my shoes and headed down the stairs. It stopped near the bottom, and I wondered if it was connected to the repairs. The lifts weren't working and had a message about the alarm. I went to the lounge, then the alarm started again. A staff member told me they test it every Monday afternoon. Guests should be told about both situations ahead of time. The location is right in the city centre, an easy walk to the arcades and St David's, about 10 minutes to the castle and 15 to the museum. The car park is easy enough to use, but for longer stays you have to get your ticket validated at reception each time you leave. Staff handled that quickly. Our room was well laid out and had a very comfortable sofa, though the bed was very hard. Reception kindly added a topper, which helped, but it was still hard. Staff were good throughout, especially Zsofia and Tam at reception and Ben in the executive lounge. Housekeeping did a great job. The gym was always clean, with a good range of equipment. I especially liked the step equipment and the smaller weights. Breakfast in the executive lounge was average, and the mid-afternoon cookies weren't very good. Evening drinks ran from 17:30-21:00, a nice long stretch. Ben kept things running well and was pleasant with everyone, and Jenna was good too. Snacks were served 17:30-19:00. There wasn't much: soup and two hot dishes in ramekins each night, one of them often plain, dry rice. There was also cheese and crackers, usually a fruit cup or salad, and small desserts. The desserts were the best part. All in all, a solid Cardiff option.

The hotel itself is okay, and its staff are great. Breakfast was good, but the restaurant, which isn't part of the hotel, is only about a 2/10. The real problem is that the hotel is attached to a nightclub. Expect drum and bass from around 10pm until 4am every night, so you won't sleep. I wouldn't stay here for business.