ZIP by Premier Inn Cardiff

It's a very budget place, and probably does the job if all you need is a cheap bed for the night. The rooms are okay, if a little tatty, and they've made decent use of the limited space. There isn't much room, and there's no tea or coffee setup in the room. I didn't realise there were no windows when I booked, and that really isn't for me. The lightbox is nice, but gives the room a strange false daylight feeling, almost like sensory deprivation. Extra towels and pillows cost more, which feels a bit cheeky even at a budget hotel. RyanAir has a lot to answer for with this kind of pricing. Staff were generally friendly.

For the price and what it's meant to be, I was pretty impressed. It worked well for an overnight stop on my own, though I'm less sure how it would be for two. The location suited me, it was quiet, and I had everything I needed except another pillow. Staff were really friendly, and the food was inexpensive and good for the price.

For a short stay in Cardiff, this is a clean and convenient place to sleep without spending much. The compact rooms are thoughtfully laid out and have air conditioning and lighting you can adjust. It's not a luxury hotel, but I found it good value for money for an overnight stop while exploring the city.

The room felt like being in a caravan indoors. My single bed was tiny, really a sofa being used as a bed, and I had two uncomfortable nights. On the first night I nearly fell out once. The fake window looked onto a service corridor, and lights coming on and off there kept disturbing me. I didn't like the hotel at all and won't return. Two nights cost £95, which wasn't even cheap. It is next to a gym, if that's something you like.