MAX Meridian Terrace Cardiff

For a total of approximately £523, I expected more care and consistency than I got during my three nights at Radisson Blu Cardiff. Housekeeping was poor too. We asked for the room to be serviced while we were out exploring the city, but on our return the tissue boxes were left out of their holders, the bedding hadn't been refreshed, and the same sheets and blanket had simply been pulled over rather than properly remade. The room also lacked basic things on arrival: slippers, complimentary water bottles, and a dental kit. I had my own toothbrush, but there was no toothpaste. It took four attempts to get through to staff and request some. That response doesn't fit the reputation Radisson historically carried. At £523, the service and attention to detail were simply absent. I know Radisson may no longer position itself as a top-tier brand, but its pricing should still reflect what it can deliver. The mismatch was stark. The price for the same amount of nights now shows £272.

The public areas and entrance are starting to look tired, and this year was disappointing. We got lucky and checked in early, but a huge queue formed behind us because everything was being done manually. The room was nice enough, though there was no complimentary water as we'd expect. We had that at Marriott earlier this week. When we came back at 11:30pm last night and asked the bar for Bailey’s, they'd run out. They didn't have Tia Maria either. The bar guy offered no apology or alternative, so we left and went to bed. Their loss, really. This hotel used to be good. I wouldn't recommend it now, and would stay at Marriott instead, which is much better at similar prices.

Room service and breakfast were both top-notch, fresh, delicious, and prompt. The room was stylish, comfortable, and immaculately clean, and I genuinely have no complaints. Every part of the hotel looked spotless and well cared for. The staff were welcoming, professional, and friendly from the moment I arrived for work. This ranks in my top five hotels, and if I'm back in Cardiff, it'll be my go-to without question.

At over £400 for three nights, parking at £17 a day felt steep, and breakfast was shockingly expensive at £17.50 per person for the buffet. The food was extortionate too, over £30 for two sandwiches and two glasses of wine. We luckily didn't have a car, but the parking charge seems idiotic at that price. The hotel is literally two minutes from the Utilita arena, which you can see from there. Our room was massive, bigger than my bedroom at home, and accessible, with grab rails and emergency cords. Those features are useful in an emergency, but I can't help thinking the 12th floor may not be the best place for them in a fire. The emergency cord is so near the bed that you risk pulling it if you roll over. There was no shower curtain, so the bathroom flooded each time we showered. The floor stayed wet for hours, with no way to dry it except the towels. The toilet flush was loud enough for other rooms to hear, and the air con/heating was too noisy to sleep with on. Pipes banged every night, lifts clunked and banged whenever used, and damp weather had swollen the doors so the only way to close them was to slam them.