susan300

We will be in Cardiff three nights making day trips from there. Can anyone suggest a nice B&B and/or guesthouse that is centrally located. We will be there mid-April. We would like to spend no more than $125-150/night if possible. We do not want to stay in the chain hotels. Thank you.

Ackislander

The answers to this question will be interesting because most people don't think of Cardiff as the kind of place where you would find B&B's with any charm/interest. I hope I am wrong. They have good music there, and I might want to visit someday for that.

oliverandharry

We have spent a lot of time in Wales, although mostly in the north. We really like Cardiff, although it has been a number of years and the waterfront/Bay area was only beginning to develop. We stayed several days in a B&B on the Cathedral Road, where there are many such accommodations in Victorian townhouses. One called Lincoln Avenue gets great reviews on TA. The Castle is terrific and there is a spectacular art museum. Our B&B hosts recommended St. Fagan's National Museum Park, which is absolutely not to be missed if you have the time. We went for two hours and stayed all day. Also the Jacob Epstein sculpture at Llandaff Cathedral just north of Cardiff is magnificent. Retrieving these memories makes me want to return!

spaarne

I stayed at Preste Gaarden, also on Cathedral Road. Very nice and way below your budget. Great breakfast included. http://www.cosycardiffhotel.co.uk/.

tahl

I like Cardiff, and have been there twice in recent years, but stayed at the big hotels that you say you want to avoid, mostly so I could have a good central walking location to the city center. In case you change your mind, I much preferred the Hilton (by the Castle) to the Radisson Blu.

I second Oliverandharry's recommendation of St. Fagan's (aka the Museum of Welsh Life), and right around the corner from it there's a *fantastic* pub called the Plymouth Arms, with excellent food, a huge & lovely garden for nice weather, and warm cozy fires indoors for nasty weather.

If you're in Cardiff and the weather is pleasant, have a leisurely dinner outside either at Cardiff Bay or at the strip of restaurants just beside the Library (near the Marriott and Radisson Blu).

susan300

thank you - looking forward to the trip.

JGreen7

You may want to take a look at www.southwaleshotels.co.uk, it goes a little broader than just Cardiff but it covers everything from 5 Star chains down to little B&Bs.

I'd recommend you check out Cardiff Bay too, particularly if you know any Doctor Who/Torchwood fans as it's been used for a lot of filming locations, there's also an exhibition that lets you see some of the props from the show. There's a lot of options for food there too with a lot of nice restaurants around.

Hope that helps

flying_tinkerbell

You can also try this if you decide to switch to a hotel http://www.cardiffhotelscentral.com/ Hope it helps

susan300

We've decided on the Lincoln. Appreciate everyone's suggestions. Any restaurant suggestions?

LaKate

I spend a lot of time in Cardiff and frequently stay at the new pub/B&B The Maltsers in Llandaff. The old pub has been renovated with wood floors and comfortable armchairs and sofas. Its easy to get into town, you are right by river and the Cathedral and it is has some superb restaurants on the High Street. Food at the Maltsters is good too and the included breakfast highly recommended.

caroline_edinburgh

I have only stayed in hotels there (8 so far I think !) so can't recommend a specific B&B, but I'd second the recommendation of the area northwest of the Millennium Stadium along the river up towards the cathedral (Llandaff) where there are lots Victorian (/?Edwardian) houses converted into B&Bs.

I don't think you'll find anything like you want down towards or at the Bay as all the hotels there are modern and/or chain hotels. Well, the Novotel is in a converted brick warehouse type building (and I like it) but it's still a chain hotel.

caroline_edinburgh

P.S. Well, one exception at the Bay is Jolyon's (in a converted Victorian/Edwardian house) which describes itself as a boutique hotel but is really an upmarket-ish B&B with an attitude (not a good one IMO). You'll find those who've loved it and those who've hated it on Tripadvisor. We stayed there once which was OK (although overpriced for what it is) and a second time which was not good, so I don't recommend it.

caroline_edinburgh

Sorry, don't know how I missed your posting that you'd decided on accommodation.

For restaurants at the Bay, Woods Brasserie is quite nice (don't know when you are going but if the weather's good it's nice to sit out on the terrace) and we've had a very good meal at the Bosphorus Turkish restaurant which is built on a pier out over the water. There are also all the usual chains there - Wagamama, GBK, Pizza Express, Harry Ramsden's, etc - and a decentish Chinese 'The Pearl of the Orient' (went to Chinese friend's wedding banquet there, which was quite something !).

There's also a small Chinatown north of the city centre and there's a very authentic restaurant we always go to for dim sum Sunday lunchtime, when in Cardiff - I don't know the name but can find out if you are interested.

The city centre has some nice traditional pubs, some of which do decent pub grub - the Goat Major springs to mind.

Also in the centre, in Castle Arcade, we like this cafe which does some traditional Welsh food - http://ceginyddraig.co.uk/default.aspx

I'd describe Woods as midprice, every else as quite cheap. Haven't been to anywhere posh in Cardiff for a long time so not up to speed there.

Just wondering now how many day trips you are planning, given you'll only have 2 full days ? There's plenty in Cardiff itself to occupy longer than that. I particularly recommend the tour of the Millennium Centre (not the Millennium Stadium which I've never done as I'm not interested in sport, but if you are the tour is supposed to be very good). You need to book the MC tour but could combine it with lunch at the Bay.

(Mucky, where are you ?)

Mucky

Hi Susan 300,
Sorry only just seen this

Cardiff is a magnificent City. The capital city of Wales.We have a fabulous City center and bay area for you to enjoy.
There are masses of hotels now all hoping for a share of the growing popularity of this beautiful city.

Looks like you have already chosen the Lincoln B&B. I have not stayed there of course because I live here in Cardiff. The Location of the Lincoln is perfect. Cathedral road is just a few minutes walk from Cardiff Castle and has some very nice interesting B&B's with lots of Character.
Sophia Gardens is just behind and the new SWALEC Cricket stadium is there too.
Cathedral road ultimately takes you to Llandaff Cathedral.

Across the road is the famous Millenium stadium, built on the site Cardiff Arms Park alongside the river Taff.

As for restaurants, you have some great suggestions so far. What are you looking for?

Jamie Oliver has just opened his own restaurant in the City center, not been there yet but it's supposed to be very good.

Here's a few secrets, don't tell anyone though.

My favourite restaurant in the City center is the Madeira Restaurant. Fabulous place but you need to book.

http://www.madeirarestaurante.co.uk/

My favourite (and little known Italian Restaurant) just outside the center of town, just a short taxi drive away is
Merola's
181 Clare Road
Cardiff CF11 6QS
029 2039 8803
This is a family run restaurant, very personal and friendly. Beautiful food too.It's not in the prettiest part of town but well worth a visit.
Couldn't find their web address, booking recommended.

Another favourite restaurant, of me and Mrs Muck is just outside Cardiff, for something a bit posh is Called Junction 28.
http://www.junction28.com/

You need to get a taxi or drive from Cardiff, its about 25 mins from Cardiff city center. Booking required, cheaper menu before 7pm.


If you have any questions about Cardiff don't hesitate to ask.

Hi Caroline !!
Mrs Muck was in Edinburgh the other day with work and did a cartwheel on the Murrayfield turf. She is now a legend !!

Lol

Muck

tahl

Agree on the Millennium Centre tour being fascinating if you have an interest in the performing arts and/or in contemporary architecture. We wandered backstage among the rehearsal rooms while the Welsh National Opera was rehearsing -- what a thrill! I didn't have to book in advance when I went last May, btw; I just called that morning to find out if there was space on the early-afternoon tour.

The very modern Senedd building where the Welsh National Assembly government meets is just around the corner and also well worth a visit.

And even if you don't have time to go in either of these buildings, you can enjoy seeing them from the outside -- they are both very striking -- if you go down to the Bay for a meal.

You never know, you may back in Wales someday. I fell in love with the Welsh language a couple of years ago and have been studying it pretty intensively ever since.

susan300

we actually have three full days there, so hopefully we'll get a taste of it. The suggestions are fabulous. Thank you!

caroline_edinburgh

Oh yes, forgot about the Senedd - you can also take a tour of that.

(Hi Mucky ! I'm most impressed just by Mrs Muck being able to do a cartwheel ! We are down for Spring Bank Hol (seeing 'Turandot' on the Sat), but P's parents have now decided they are coming too, so don't know if we'll be free for any other socialising We are adding to our ever-expanding list of Cardiff-hotels-stayed-at with the Mercure as it had a vg rate and the Novotel was full.)

Mucky

Caroline,
Mercure city centre ? or Holland house?

Location ok for both. You may need to get a taxi to the theatre though if the weather is bad, it's a bit of a walk. Enjoy.

Muck

caroline_edinburgh

Hi Muck. City centre - it's near the Novotel isn't it ? We've stayed at the Novotel a couple of times and liked it. We got a bus down to the WMC one evening when it rained but I think they stop before chucking out time.

Mucky

Hi Caroline,
Yes it's about 100mtrs away. I forgot, your fitter than me .


Muck