Jolyon's at The Bay

We really enjoyed our long weekend in this quaint hotel. Mermaid Quay’s bars and restaurants are just a few metres away, and the lively city centre is a short bus ride or boat trip away. Our room was spotless, the bed was extremely comfortable, and the staff were so welcoming and friendly. Thanks for a great stay.

Cardiff Bay nightlife is right on the doorstep, and the Bar Cwtch downstairs served excellent food and drinks. Go out the back door to the patio and you might spot a familiar blue police box painted on the door. The staff were welcoming and helpful, with plenty of suggestions for nearby things to do and see. I stayed three nights in September 2012 and loved it. My room had a large private balcony, was quite cozy, and came with a luxuriously huge bathtub.

The rooms are lovely, and the bathrooms have spacious bathtubs. The location is really good, too. What made things frustrating was self check-in: the booking didn’t include the right information. The front door and room codes come by email when you book, and it’s easy to work out the codes for other rooms as well, so don’t leave your key card in the key box when you go out for the day. Check-in service was poor, or nonexistent, though I assume it may not be like that every time.

Ask for an upstairs room if you can, since the downstairs area can get noisy in the morning as guests head to breakfast. The beds are very comfortable and the facilities are nicely decorated. The hotel is in an amazing spot, directly across from the millennium theatre and beside several restaurants, bars, and shops.