Havannah Street, Cardiff, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Strikingly modern
hotel popular with visiting celebrities
Cardiff Docks
setting with scenic views over the bay
Renovated rooms are clean and contemporary with luxurious bedding
Most rooms open to bay-view balconies
Outstanding spa
with pools, sauna, and treatment rooms
Fully equipped gym with cardio and weight-training machines
Decent restaurant
with terrace for alfresco dining
Meeting rooms available
Free high-speed
Wi-Fi throughout
Outside the
city center
Many rooms in
need of and awaiting makeovers
Breakfast not included in standard rates
Fee for parking, which can be hefty
The St. David's
Hotel & Spa, overlooking Cardiff Bay, combines high-end amenities with striking architectural design. While it has an impressive spa complete with hydrotherapy pools and some excellent views, many of the 142 rooms still await makeovers, and rates tend to reflect that the luxury hotel might have lost some of its sheen. Although the property is within walking distance of Mermaid Quay and Wales Millennium Centre, it's a 15-minute drive to central Cardiff. Guests who want to be closer to the city could consider Le Parc Hotel -- it's hard to get more central than that.
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Scene
Striking contemporary architecture with fine views, and the odd celebrity guest
With more than a
passing resemblance to the architecture of a ship -- complete with a sail-topped
roof -- this striking piece of contemporary design is aptly perched overlooking
the waters of Cardiff Bay. Although built at the turn of the millennium as the
first five-star hotel in Wales, the glass-fronted facade -- while still impressive -- has started to show signs of wear from the elements. The soaring
lofty atrium lobby, however, has pristine white walls and minimal decor that
feel cool and contemporary, or clinical and frosty, depending on perspective. A
few funky furnishings and splashes of contemporary art in the
reception area and throughout the property tend to soften the look. While stunning views can be found from many vantage points, there's also the chance
to glimpse the occasional celebrity who passes through this luxury hotel.
Location
Overlooking Cardiff Bay and docks, around a 15-minute drive to the city center
The hotel sits in
a recently redeveloped area of the old Cardiff Docks that overlooks Cardiff Bay in
the south. While the surroundings are newly paved and secluded,
they lack the bustle and energy of the city center, which is a 10- to 15-minute drive away. The waterfront shopping and leisure of Mermaid Quay, however,
is within a 10-minute walk, and the Wales Millennium Centre is five minutes beyond that.
The hotel also offers unparalleled views across Cardiff Bay to the Bristol Channel, where the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm can sometimes be seen.
Rooms
Most rooms have bay-view balconies, but many rooms need makeovers
The hotel's 142
rooms are spread over seven floors and personify clean, contemporary
styling but have a warm, almost homey, feel -- with maritime-hued tones in some and fluffy pillows and bed-toppers in others. Most rooms have superb views over the
bay, while many feature floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open onto
wooden-deck balconies. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with free Wi-Fi,
flat-screen TVs, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, but there are no minibars in standard-level rooms. Bathrooms include
telephones, heated towel racks, shower/tub combos, and high-end White Company toiletries. Only the renovated rooms are photographed, and those awaiting makeovers have begun to look tired, and they're in urgent need of a refresh.
Features
Outstanding spa facilities, including a selection of pools
Breakfast is available, though it's not included in the standard room rate, and guests have complained that it's overpriced for the quality. The Tempus at Tides Restaurant also offers a la
carte menus for lunch and dinner, and it has an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining
(weather permitting). Room service is also available around the clock -- though
the overnight menu is limited. The hotel's spa stands out as one of the city's
best, with an indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pools, sauna, and attractive
treatment rooms. The pool has dedicated swim times for kids, while a modern gym
offers lovely views over the water, along with free weights, exercise balls, and a full array of cardio- and strength-training equipment. Several meeting rooms are on-site for business travelers, and catered lunches can be arranged. High-speed Wi-Fi is also free of charge, but on-site parking can be pricey.
