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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
#11 of 75 hotels in Cardiff
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
In the heart of Cardiff city centre, The Royal is the closest hotel to the Principality Stadium. Just 250m from Cardiff Central train station. All 60 bedrooms have full air conditioning, free WiFi, flat screen Freeview TV's and tea & coffee making facilities. Discounted parking is offered at the NCP car park 250m from the hotel on Westgate Street (opposite the stadium). We are adjacent to the main shopping area with more than 1000 stores and individual outlets. Cardiff Castle is 400m away. Free breakfast included when booking direct with hotel
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Property amenities
Paid public parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Highchairs available
Taxi service
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Baggage storage
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Happy hour
Snack bar
Meeting rooms
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
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Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Room service
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Safe
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
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Room types
City view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
City View
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, Bulgarian, Czech and 4 more
Hotel links
Location
100Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
281Restaurantswithin 0.5 km
96Attractionswithin 0.5 km
Contact
88 St. Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1DW Wales
Getting there
Car HireSee all Cardiff car hire
1672Reviews16Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
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- 280
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- 64
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Most Recent
One day I'll stay in the cinema room! Anytime I visit Cardiff, I always visit the Royal Hotel due to its amazing location, stunning hotel and comfortable rooms. The rooms are hot with great aircon and brilliant pressure showers. A brilliant business stay!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip: There is a lift to take you to reception around from the stairs
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 3 days ago
Dear OwlHoots Thank you for your great review following your latest stay with us. I am glad to hear that you always have enjoyable and pleasant stays with us, and am looking forward welcoming you back soon; maybe next time in one of our cinema rooms. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hotel's Favourite
The outside of this hotel - just a door off the Main Street – is deceptive; inside you’ll find a really nice hotel with nicely furnished rooms helpful staff and the fabulous dining area where a quality breakfast with lots of choice is served each morning. Prices are very reasonable, especially if booked direct. Rooms are spacious and quiet, a good temperature with comfy beds and good amenities. We have stayed in this hotel a few times over the last few months and I’ve been greeted by staff who are always helpful and friendly. On the last visit we even got a free upgrade. I thoroughly recommend this hotel, for its service, quality and value for money. It’s location makes it ideal for a city break, close to the station, castle and shopping and dining areas.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 26 Oct 2022
Dear Tarratbtoo Thank you for taking your time to review and leave such great feedback following your recent stay with us. I am delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable stay with us, and that you were looked after by team. I will, of course, share your comments and feedback with the staff. In the meantime, take care and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was a bit of a strange stay.... we felt like we were the only people staying. During the 3 nights we only saw 2 other couples, which was strange because the car park was full (more on this). The room was clean and quite large compared to more modern rooms. Some of the staff we helpful, other not so much. It did feel like we were like we were inconveniencing them sometimes. We found the hotel entrance hard to find and there wasn't anywhere to drop bags from the car outside. We parked in a NCP car on the hotels advice nearby because the hotel car park was full. Using the car park didn't feel secure and the customary urine soaked corridors made it feel unsafe and everyday I anticipated coming back to a severely damaged or even totally missing car. The hotel us close to the centre of town.…
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Good central position a short walk from the recommended car park. The street originally appeared very pleasant nice shops and bars etc but later in the afternoon/evening lots of drunks appeared and were noisy and intimidating which somewhat spoiled the general ambience. Breakfast was very good laid out in a beautiful panelled dining room. Breakfast staff charming. Reception staff very nice and helpful.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Be careful in the street
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear Comman thank you for your review following your recent stay with us. Whilst I am pleased to read that you had an enjoyable stay, I was dismayed to read about the intimidating behaviour you experienced whilst out and about in Cardiff. These issues have been highlighted by myself to the council numerous times, as I, and my team, realise the negative impact this has on the visitors not only to the hotel, but Cardiff itself. I have shared your comments about the breakfast room and general service with all staff; positive feedback is always very welcome. May I take this opportunity wish you a Happy New Year; and I hope to be able to welcome you back again. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Always wanted to visit Eastern Europe, didn't realise I could find it in Cardiff. The full plethora on display. From the unhelpful staff on the door watching my wife struggle with her luggage, to the salubrious bar, where cocktails are promised but not fulfilled. Unless you just like vodka ones. Loved the faux leather headboards ( havent found the handcuffs yet) and the pretend wooden (plastic) flooring. No water in the rooms which were sweltering, which is surprising in a hotel the boasts sustainability.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 19 Dec 2022
Dear jamesm317 Thank you for your review following your recent stay with us. Following a read of your other Tripadvisor review contributions, I see that not many establishments are able to achieve your expectations, I do not feel so deflated that my staff appear to have failed to attain standards that would not normally be expected of them without request. I suspect that maybe your expectations are not fully in tune with what can be achieved. Mind reading is a particular skill that hotels have been unable to crack so far. We feel we are extremely amenable to all reasonable requests from our guests. We are sorry that your wife did not ask for assistance with her bags. Our staff will not automatically assume that people are incapable, that standpoint often leads to far more offense. We treat people equally and will not demean people during the completion of a simple task. The hotel aims to achieve the healthy room temperature as advised by The WHO, that being 21 degrees celcius in a living area. We set the room temperatures to the recognised healthy temperature prior to guest arrival and then leave the choice to our guests to cool or heat their room to their requirements. I feel that the simplified air conditioning controls in each of our bedrooms are very easy to understand and use. They control the air conditioning units to both heat and cool each individual bedroom to the desired temperature. Yes, the hotel does aim to be sustainable and tries to eliminate waste wherever we can, it is a bit of a challenge in an industry that is expected to provide multiple disposable items to some guests. We do not provide bottled water in every bedroom due to the excessive packaging, the need to recycle large volumes of glass and we do not inflate our rooms rates to include the cost of packaged water. We have bottled water readily available for purchase and do include it in the cost for our deluxe rooms. We feel that the high quality of tap water in Wales negates the use for bottled water and we supply multiple clean, sterilised drinking vessels in each bedroom. We actually find that our hard floors and easy clean headboards are a benefit to the hotel particularly during the continuation of, and current peaks of, Covid infections persistent at the moment. We find that the floors and headboards are easy to clean and sanitise and help us achieve the virus safe expectations of the multiple international guests that stay with us. Whilst we try to respect our guests wishes and respect their privacy, especially whilst in their bedrooms. I am sorry, we do not provide handcuffs. If that is ‘your thing’ then I believe they are much more readily available and affordable in multiple stores following the success of the 50 Shades series. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Located in the heart of St Mary Street, this hotel is such great value for money. The staff are so helpful and efficient, and they're happy to recommend places to eat/drink/visit. Tje rooms are comfortable with good quality bedding. Yes, it's a little bit tired,but it's an old building with heavy footfall. It's very clean and has everything you need for a city stay.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 9 Dec 2022
Dear rhjfoster thank you for taking your time to leave such a lovely review and feedback following your recent stay with us. I am glad to hear that you had an enjoyable stay with us, and I will ensure that your comments are shared with the staff. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed here for the first time on business. Its a wonderful quirky grade 2 listed hotel bang in the last middle of everything you could want. The rooms are lovely, staff are friendly and courteous and the breakfast is amazing. Will definitely be back for both business and personal visits to Cardiff.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 6 Dec 2022
Dear johnB8995CJ thank you for your kind review and great feedback following your stay with us. I am delighted to read that your first visit to our hotel was pleasant, and that you were looked after by the staff. Your comments will be shared with the team. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon, when you are back in Cardiff, either for business or for personal visits. With best wishes,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The royal is a lovely hotel.there are 2 entrances one on the main road is stairs the one at the back is a lift .reception staff fantastic and very friendly and helpful .our room was massive and perfect for us .there was some noise from the street with late night revellers it's the exmas season with work party's.theres 2 bars below the hotel but it didn't effect us .didn't have breakfast or use the bar so can't comment will definitely use this hotel again if you book directly you get free breakfast and a voucher for a drink and its cheaper .we will return thank you all staff 10/10 . Cardiff Castle is a 5 m8n walk up the main street and irs around 5 mis from Cardiff railway station .2 wetherspoons a couple of minutes away .plenty of restaurants and shopping quite close .popped in Gareth bales bar number 11 nothing spectacular locals were friendly despite England beating them the night before…
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 6 Dec 2022
Dear swoods1957 thank you for taking your time to leave your review and feedback following your recent stay with us. I am delighted to read that you had a lovely and pleasant 2 night stay; and I will, of course, share your comments with the staff. My team and I are looking forward to welcoming you back to the hotel in the future. With kind regards,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Positive: fantastic location. Literally round the corner from the train station and it's on the high Street where all the buses pass. There are lots if bars and restaurants directly on the door step so it's location was great for us to get around and sightsee in Cardiff. The staff were friendly especially a lady who maybe the manager during breakfast (she may be south African) she was so nice to me and my mum. We were bed and breakfast. Food was delicious and plentiful. I loved the dining room it's so historic you need to visit just to see and experience it. We bought food outside for dinner and it was a short walk to places like wagamama and to the cinema. Not so positve: unfortunately when we arrived we were given a room that had not been cleaned and reset for new guests. Not what you need after an early start and long train ride. We called reception who apologised and gave us another room. But the hotel is a maze and we had to drag our suitcases up and down stairs to the new room. This room was big but very cold. We couldn't reach the window and the heating wasn't working. We had to complain again as mum was very cold and we were moved again back to our original room! This time it had been cleaned and refreshed. It's a shame because that gave us a bad first impression and I've not experienced being given a room that's not been cleaned or serviced for a new guest before. Apart from that though it was a pleasant stay on the Queens Jubilee weekend. …
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Careful there is only 1 tiny lift so get a room on a lower floor or you'll wait for ages.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 2 Dec 2022
Dear dancinggirl88London Thank you for your thorough review and feedback following your stay with us in June, during the Queen's Jubilee weekend. I am glad that you had a pleasant stay, despite the first bad impression you experienced when you first checked in. Both, your positive and negative, points have been shared and discussed with the team. I can assure you that, since your visit in June, we have improved our service by ensuring that all feedback received is used as an opportunity to learn from it and to ensure that the negative experiences do not happen again. I hope that we get a chance to welcome you back again in the near future. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Excellent location, right in the centre of Cardiff, easy to get to by train so did not use parking arrangements. The hotel is right on the Main Street near bars but was not disturbed by any noise. Well appointed clean rooms, decent residents bar and excellent breakfast. Plenty of restaurants and bars close by to eat in. Book direct on hotel’s website as very competitive prices.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip: Use hotel website to book.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Jon Swingler, General Manager at The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Responded 24 Nov 2022
Dear Anglemist2 thank you for taking your time to leave your great review and feedback following your recent stay with us. I am glad to hear that you had an enjoyable stay with us during your midweek business trip, and I will ensure that your comments are shared with the staff. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future. With best wishes
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$92 - US$151 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
royal hotel cardiff
LOCATION
United KingdomWalesSouth WalesCardiff
NUMBER OF ROOMS
60
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Claim Your ListingTHE ROYAL HOTEL CARDIFF: UPDATED 2023 Reviews, Price Comparison and 563 Photos (Wales) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about The Royal Hotel Cardiff
Which popular attractions are close to The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Nearby attractions include Escape Rooms Cardiff (0.3 km), Escape Reality (0.3 km), and The Bootlegger (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Yes, paid public parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Conveniently located restaurants include Bigmoose Coffee Company, Fresh the Baguette Bar, and Corner Coffee.
Is The Royal Hotel Cardiff located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.4 km away from the centre of Cardiff.
Does The Royal Hotel Cardiff offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, and Bulgarian.
Are there any historical sites close to The Royal Hotel Cardiff?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Insole Court (3.6 km), St Lythans Burial Chamber (6.8 km), and Mansion House (1.0 km).
Does The Royal Hotel Cardiff have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the city view available here.