Staybridge Suites Cardiff by IHG

I'm sad to say this, as we'd stayed here a few times and it was our go-to for a child-free break. It used to be spotless and perfect, but this visit fell short. The shower head was badly scaled, the glossy bedroom doors were smeared, the pans in the drawer were dirty, and there was thick dust on the pictures. The unit under the TV had spill marks in its slots, and the sofa had a big pen line with stains on the footstool. We also felt a draught from the curtain, so I turned on the heating, but it didn't work. I reported both the cleanliness and heating to reception. The man there fiddled with something in a room behind reception and got the heating going. He said they were booked up, so moving rooms would be difficult, and offered beers from the fridge as an apology, but gave us a prosecco instead. The room warmed up, so we made do. Before heading out for food, I tried to shower. The bath was greasy and slippery; I fell awkwardly and only caught myself from hitting the floor by grabbing the radiator. My back is in bits today. It was such a shame, and now we'd have to consider staying somewhere else.

The best part was that everything felt new. I was surprised, since I thought I was checking into Holiday inn. It's a lovely new build, with a very spacious studio room, kitchen and big bathroom. I used the gym and the electric car charger too. For an evening meal, I'd skip the bar food from the place across the way, since it could disappoint; better to take an Uber somewhere else. Staybridge Suite gets five stars from me for the stay.

We'd have liked to stay longer than one night because the accommodation was really nice. The suites are spacious, with a bedroom, living room, entry area, kitchenette and two TVs. The decor is modern and lovely, and it was clean. Staff were friendly, and they held our luggage. Breakfast was included as a buffet, with hot and cold options: fruit, oatmeal, Weetabix, full English, muffins, croissants, yogurts, a fancy coffee machine and OJ. It's about a 20-minute walk to both the town centre and waterfront, which was fine in summer, and the quieter layout suited us because the bedroom isn't near the hallway. The bathroom lighting was a bit dim. Parking costs extra, £10 in summer 2025, and the lot fills up quickly. Some people parked outside the marked spaces. We arrived early, left the car there and our bags at reception, and didn't move the car during our stay. The location is a little away from things, but manageable for an average person, and that seems reflected in the price. We'd stay at Staybridge Suites Cardiff again. We're from California and in our early 50s.

The gym was the best part. Parking costs another £10, and the room was clean and modern, but the lighting felt harsh. It was basically a small hotel room with an oven and fridge and very few utensils. I expected a bit more. I'd avoid eating at the Holiday Inn next door: it was some of the worst food I've had away from home. Usually food at their other hotels is a high standard, but here it was a basic bar menu and badly cooked.