Hotels in Cardiff

Cardiff, Wales’ capital, is essentially a young city, even though its history dates back many centuries. The development of its docks during the Industrial Revolution for the export of Welsh iron and coal was the basis of its prosperity. Cardiff Castle is part Roman fort, part medieval castle and part 19th century mansion. Its Chaucer Room has stained glass windows depicting the Canterbury Tales. Its Summer Smoking Room has a copper, brass and silver inlaid floor. The castle is the present home of the Welsh Assembly. The National Museum of Wales houses a wealth of exhibits, from impressionist paintings to examples of Swansea porcelain.

The Cardiff Bay development area is very impressive, with dual carriageway access from the M4 (West). The St David's Hotel has recently opened there and two further 5-star hotels have opened in the city centre: The Hilton and Holland House. The Cardiff Millennium Stadium, one of the finest in Europe, plays host regularly to capacity audiences of 70,000. Cardiff is now firmly established as the decision making capital of Wales, following the opening of the National Assembly in July 1999.

The city has facilities one would normally associate with a city of three times the population. On the cultural side the Welsh National Opera and the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestras have their homes there with major conference and concert venues in the St David's Hall and International Arena. It is an important shopping and entertainment centre, the facilities combining the elegance of the old Edwardian arcades with St David's Shopping Centre and the pedestrianisation of much of the central shopping and commercial area.

The city’s links with the rest of the UK are enhanced by the M4, the M50 and the now double Severn bridges. The A470 goes North via Merthyr Tydfil and the beautiful Taf Fawr Valley to Brecon and beyond and there is an international airport just West of the city.

> Staying in one of our Cardiff hotels? Click here for attractions.