The Angel Hotel

The WiFi was strong throughout, the staff were very friendly, and the location by the castle and near the city centre was convenient. I chose the place for its price and location for two January nights, and it was good value in that respect. The building has a charming, elegant feel and potential if renovated, despite the old carpets and quirky layout. What brought the stay down was the room. The hallway door let in a lot of noise, and I felt bad coughing because I knew people in other rooms could hear. The bed was soft, springy, and lumpy. Light from an exterior lamp poured in past the drapes, and there were no outlets by the bed, so devices had to charge at the desk across the room. None of those things was devastating on its own, but together they made for a negative stay.

The room was actually decent, with a spacious bathroom, and I appreciated having no full carpet. I couldn't figure out the light controls, though, and the mattress was too soft and needs replacing. Staff were friendly and the service was good. Breakfast was okay for a 3-star property, but could have been presented better. I booked at short notice after seeing a good price with breakfast on hotel.com, and only stayed one night for a work event. The outside was the alarming part: the building needs renovation and I was dreading going in. For what I paid it was good value, but the exterior and public areas could use some attention.

The hotel's opposite Cardiff Castle, with the station, bus station, and shops all within walking distance. Staff were lovely, especially housekeeping, and the place was clean and tidy. The shower had strong pressure and a great temperature, and the WiFi worked well. The old hotel has a lot going for it, but the lift has apparently been out of order for ages, and guests should be told before booking. The mattress had also dipped quite a bit on one side. Since I was alone, that didn't bother me.

The room on the top floor was much too warm. Two fans, open windows, and turning down the radiators helped somewhat, though it was only a mild day in October. Apart from that, we had a great stay and plan to return to Cardiff. We were four, two parents and teenagers aged 17 and 13, staying for one night. The front desk staff were welcoming, and the family room surprised us with its space: one room had a superking bed, and the other had twin beds. The central location is fantastic, right opposite the castle, close to the high street and Cardiff Uni campus. We booked parking ahead on Greyfriars Road using JustPark, a three-minute walk away, which worked well since we were travelling light. We went out for the evening and didn't try the bar or food, but can recommend nearby Pilgrim Pizza.