The Royal Hotel Cardiff

Hotels
8.2 (3582 reviews)
88 St Mary's St , Cardiff , gb

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Children allowed

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Safety deposit box
Non-smoking throughout
Private check-in/check-out
Fruits
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Good location
Friendly staff
Comfortable beds
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Broken lift
Noise disturbances

Categories

Cleanliness
7.16
Several mentions of grim conditions and sticky floors.
Service
8.63
Staff were friendly and helpful, with several positive mentions.
Location
9.17
Consistently noted as excellent and very central.
Room Quality
7.62
Rooms are mentioned as comfortable but with some issues like soft mattresses.
Amenities
8.15
Standard amenities for this hotel tier; some complaints about lift functionality.
Value for Money
8.11
Good value for money, particularly with breakfast options.
Food and Beverage
8.66
Breakfast was noted as good value and enjoyable.
Overall Experience
8.13
General consensus of enjoyment despite specific issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 11:56

Property Description

Victorian Charm with Modern Comforts

Historic Elegance: Step into the past at The Royal Hotel, housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building dating back to 1866. Enjoy the blend of historic charm and modern amenities, including air-conditioned rooms with LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi.

Unique Dining Experience: Indulge in a delightful breakfast at the Oak Panelled Scott Room, steeped in history and capable of hosting weddings and events. Immerse yourself in the ambiance where Captain Robert Falcon Scott once dined before his Antarctic expedition.

Cosmopolitan Convenience: Located just minutes away from the Principality Stadium and the train station, The Royal Hotel offers a prime location for exploring Cardiff. Unwind at Fitz's bar with a variety of light meals and handcrafted cocktails.

Book your stay now at The Royal Hotel Cardiff for an unforgettable experience!

Important information:

Parking is available at nearby NCP Westgate Street, CF10 1DZ. Unfortunately, we don't have an on-site car park, but our guests receive a promotional code for the local NCP Westgate Street, CF10 1DZ, which is a short walk from the hotel. This costs £14.95 per 24 hours; this is via a promotional code given to you via reception at check-out, and then you pay at the car park.

Guests with heavy luggage or disabled access requirements are recommended to arrive via the Westgate Street entrance, CF10 1TL, which is step free.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: CWL

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not possible) and costs GBP 14.95 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for £10 per person per stay when using an available cot.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.2
Based on 3582 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.16
Service: 8.63
Location: 9.17
Room Quality: 7.62
Amenities: 8.15
Value for Money: 8.11
Food and Beverage: 8.66
Overall Experience: 8.13
R
Ryan • family_with_children • gb
8
2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
L
Leonie • family_with_children • gb
9
Would stay again
Pros:

Bed was really comfy, great location, staff really friendly and nice. Everything thing was clean and tidy.

Cons:

A bit slow with refreshing the hot food breakfast, although food was good just wasn't amazing.
I did love that there was a lot options though and plenty of fresh juice.

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
9
2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
T
Trevor • couple • gb
8
Great place for a stay
Pros:

Friendly Welcome and a very spacious room with comfortable bed

2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • couple • gb
9
Pros:

Central location to the city centre

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
S
Stephen • couple • gb
8
Very pleasant- and in fact we’ve booked to stay again later in the year
Pros:

Traditional, polite and comfortable

Cons:

Access to the property

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
M
Mary • solo_traveller • gb
9
Clean comfortable. Slept well
Pros:

Comfortable bed, clean quiet room. And a pleasant bar to relax at the end of the day. The central location made it easy to find.
Worth taking the lift up to reception on arrival.

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
R
Rachel • couple • gb
8
2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • couple • gb
7
Great location for a short stay
Pros:

Location was excellent - central and close to every main attraction
Breakfast - we didnt take up that option as it was about £16pp per night
The room was large and comfortable

Cons:

The reception smelt very damp

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
P
Parkinson • family_with_children • gb
10
Lovely hotel, great staff!
Pros:

Lovely hotel and staff and within walking distance of utilita arena

Cons:

Nothing

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
C
Charlotte • extended_group • gb
1
Awful - not coming back & would not recommend
Pros:

Location central & 5 mins walk from train station

Cons:

Steps outside of hotel are very slippy & dangerous! No attempt to mop up rain. Steps do not have grip strip.
Do not eat there - hygiene rating of 4!
Weatherspoons 2 mins walk & half the price!

2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
J
Jeffrey • couple • gb
8
Stayed here quite a few times in the past and would have no hesitation in doing so o.
Pros:

Location to the rest of the city is excellent.

Cons:

No dislikes as such. Early check - ins could be more helpful, in terms of the additional costs for the service.

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • couple • gb
10
Excellent location and very friendly staff
Pros:

Great location right in the centre of Cardiff, with everything within easy walking distance. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Would happily stay again

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
S
Sofiane • solo_traveller • fr
10
Lovely hotel
Pros:

Prefect

Cons:

Everything

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
W
Watts • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-01-28 • via Nuitee
S
sarah • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Friendly staff

2026-01-28 • via Nuitee
C
Clare • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-01-26 • via Nuitee
N
nicola • couple • gb
1
Avoid filthy sticky bedroom floor staff didn’t care
Pros:

The location is the only good thing

Cons:

The property was dated wallpaper peeling the hygiene poor they manually took all my card details before I was allowed to check in forcing me to cancel my bank card because they were so weird I can’t trust them. The bedroom floor was sticky gum the shower door wouldn’t close and the room hot and noisy. AVOID- staff not interested

2026-01-26 • via Nuitee
P
Phil • family_with_children • gb
7
A few faults but we didn't complain and would stay again.
Pros:

Location was great. Room was good.

Cons:

No fridge.
Wasn't told in advance it was nsp carpark. Did get 50% off with code from reception though. About £15 for 1600 to midday..
At breakfast coffee machines playing up no bacon or mushrooms. Staff slow to keep food topped up. What was there was good.

2026-01-26 • via Nuitee