This is the more central of the two Ibis hotels in Cardiff, situated a few minutes' walk from the main shopping street at Queen Street and Queen Street railway station. Although the immediate area around isn't all that prepossessing a railway line, lots of busy roads, tall office blocks you are only a short walk from shops, bars, restaurants and the sights of Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium, and Cathays Park, which contains the National Museum of Wales.
Although the exterior isn't going to win any architectural awards it's modern and functional - the interior is bright and attractive, with a reception, lounge and cafeteria area all rolled into one. The rooms are your basic Ibis type, with comfy king-size beds, a small hanging space, shelf unit and seating area, TV with (expensive) internet and broadband access, and the same carpet you see from Inverness to Bordeaux. The rooms aren't particularly spacious, but are OK for a night or two.
Each room has an en-suite 'pod' which contains a toilet, sink and a surprisingly spacious and powerful shower. Rooms are clean enough, although the 'Guide to Cardiff' in the information display in the bedroom an otherwise attractive hard-back book - had tomato ketchup on the front. Yuk.
Like all Ibis hotels, check on-line for deals, although it may be worth ringing as well. One glitch on our recent stay was that they tried to charge us the same (higher) rate for both nights, even though we had booked the two nights separately to get a lower rate for one of the nights. They sorted it straight away, but we shouldn't have had to challenge them, and it was £20 difference, which in Cardiff pays for an evening meal.
Overall, it's an acceptable (if formulaic) place to stay, but loses a star because for charging the wrong amount. read more