No.10 Cardiff

A Victorian red brick building that formerly housed an architect’s office, Jolyon’s at No. 10 scores points for charm from the exterior alone. Inside, Florentine nesting tables and tufted green velvet sofas fill the tiny reception area. Mauve hallways lit with funky chandeliers and white staircases with books and quirky trinkets on their landings keeps the hotel’s otherwise old-fashioned decor from looking too dated. A rustic garden in the backyard, framed by a stone studded half-wall and featuring a cherub water fountain, is a cozy escape. The bar and restaurant is a maroon-walled space furnished with rococo chairs, candle chandeliers, and a dark wood counter bar. Common areas are small, though, and guests wanting to lounge may be better off doing so at the bar and restaurant. The regular flow of non-hotel guests in and out of the bar can make the noise level more akin to a buzzing hostel than a quaint boutique hotel, but doesn’t seem to significantly impact the mix of business and leisure travelers that stay here. 

Jolyon’s at No. 10’s location is a good choice for anyone looking to be in the heart of Cardiff. It's on a busy thoroughfare bordering Cardiff’s Bute Park and a rear door actually opens out onto the park’s Sophia Gardens. Major tourist attractions like the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Castle, and Cardiff Market are all within a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The National Museum of Cardiff is a 15-minute walk away. The popular Cardiff Bay waterfront is a 15-minute water taxi ride away. There are also several bus stops within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and the Cardiff Central train station is a 15-minute walk away. 30 minutes on public transport will bring passengers to sites like the Wales Millennium Centre and St. Fagan’s National History Museum. Cardiff Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

Room decor here is as varied as the rest of the hotel. Suites are an extension of the endearingly quirky common areas, featuring vintage Italian chests and four-poster beds. Compact Rooms have tiny single beds and minimal floor space. Views from room windows are also mediocre, as most look out onto office buildings or the main road. Several guests have also noted that rooms can get uncomfortably warm from the lack of air-conditioning (though small fans are provided).All rooms include a decent range of amenities, and the waiting plate of free chocolates and homemade shortbread upon arrival is an especially thoughtful touch. Compact Rooms come with tea-and-coffee making facilities, safes, wall-mounted plasma screen TVs, and ironing equipment. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms. Deluxe Rooms offer similar features in larger spaces that incorporate more period furniture pieces. The spacious suites, playfully named after duck breeds, are impressively efficient in design, managing to tuck kitchenette facilities (microwaves, coffeemakers, mini-fridges) inside wardrobes. Accessible Deluxe Rooms are also available.Bathrooms are small. These include modern features such as light therapy or Japanese plunge pool tubs with rainfall showerheads. Luxury Elsyl bath products and hairdryers are also provided. 

As with most boutique hotels, the features here are quite limited. A daily breakfast is served in an event room. Options include a small continental spread as well as hot items (including a full Welsh breakfast). Breakfast costs extra. Aptly named Cwtch Mawr (Welsh for “big hug”), the bar and restaurant welcomes hotel guests and the public alike for drinks and casual dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. While the combination of music and young clientele can be fairly loud, the atmosphere is inviting. Guests can order room service and avoid the crowd. Two indoor meeting rooms accommodate either large functions or smaller gatherings. Weddings and private events can also be arranged at The Courtyard, the hotel’s intimate outdoor space. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel offers dry cleaning services. On-site self-parking is available at no extra charge, but space is extremely limited, with only five spots that tend to get booked quickly.