Premier Inn Cardiff East

The Beefeater next door was fantastic for both dinner and breakfast. I slept really well during my business stay, and the room was clean and tidy. The reception staff were polite and friendly. An Asian gentleman greeted me when I arrived. He was busy checking guests in but still gave great customer service. I’ll stay again.

The room met my basic needs, but I wouldn’t stay at this Premier Inn again, and I’d eat elsewhere. Melissa at the front desk was helpful, and the place was scrupulously clean. Despite the very cold weather, the room was warm, with an extra portable heater available. The bed was comfortable too. But the room was tiny, especially once our suitcases were in, and the depressing brown decor throughout made it feel even smaller and gloomy. Breakfast at the neighbouring Beefeater was really poor. The coffee machine was out of order, and the alternative was hot water with the same tubes of Nescafe instant coffee as in the rooms. There wasn’t much choice: the white bread was dry and had a plastic-like texture, blackcurrant was the only jam, and the bananas, the only fresh fruit, were discoloured, as if they’d been kept in the fridge. There were also single portions of honey, marmalade, Nutella and Marmite.

The room was clean and good value, though some areas could use a touch-up. The shower was good, but the toilet and shower room felt a little cramped. Corridors were clean, parking was ample, and access to transport links was good. Staff were polite and helpful, gave us a good welcome at check-in and clear directions. The onsite pub was easy to get to for food and drinks, and there’s a vending machine too. My only gripe was that the pillows were a bit flat, but it didn’t spoil the stay. I’d come back.

I’ve only just arrived and I’m already regretting booking here. The room is tiny, the shower room is tiny too, and there’s a general smell. The decor is tired and in places looks dirty. The bed mattress is awful, thin and squeaky, and both pillows are very flat. The doors are so thin I can hear every word people say as they pass. It’s really noisy, so I don’t expect much sleep. The car park was empty when I pulled in, which doesn’t surprise me now. Looking at the reviews, they’ve had this feedback before and ignored it. This feels like a hostel at best. I’ll never come back. Avoid!