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
J
Julian • couple • gb
7
A good solid spot right near the station
Pros:

Well situated and good rooms

Cons:

A bit hard to enter up stairs

2026-03-12 • via Nuitee
L
Li • family_with_children • se
10
2026-03-12 • via Nuitee
J
John • family_with_children • gb
7
Comfortable Stay
Pros:

Perfect location in Central Cardiff, only 5 mins from the rail station and the Stadium. Room 501 (superior) was fine and well appointed, if a little tired in places. The bed was very squeaky so we feared it would be uncomfortable but actually it was really good and we had an excellent night's sleep. Lovely friendly staff. And seriously nice breakfast in the Scott room, with beautiful panelling. We've stayed before and will stay again.

2026-03-11 • via Nuitee
R
Robin • extended_group • gb
9
Great central location, comfy bed, and hearty breakfast, what’s not to like?
2026-03-11 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • couple • gb
7
Good hotel, comfortable room, noisy location
Pros:

Bed was comfortable, room was good and it was great to have a bath in the bathroom. Breakfast was good, plenty of choice.

Cons:

I didn't realise how close the hotel was to the nightlife, which continued until the early hours. It disturbed our sleep at times.

2026-03-10 • via Nuitee
K
Keith • couple • gb
10
If we ever stop in Cardiff again we would look to stay here again. Thank you very much.
Pros:

The location was excellent. Right in the centre of Cardiff and only a five minute walk from the train station.
Even though it was in the centre near all the nightlife the soundproofing was brilliant and we had a really good nights sleep.
The room was spacious, clean and comfortable as was the bathroom. One additional bonus was that at the moment I'm not that mobile after breaking my hip and there are hand rails and mobility aids around the bathroom and toilet which if you don't need them they are not intrusive.
The staff are really friendly and accommodating.
You can leave your bags there if you've not going home straight after checkout as we did with no issues.
The building itself is impressive as it's a listed building.
If we ever stop in Cardiff again we would look to stay here again. Thank you very much.

Cons:

Nothing really to not like about the place.

2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
A
andrew • couple • gb
9
Pros:

nice room great location and very good breakfast

2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
O
Oliver • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
C
Carlos • couple • pt
7
agradável
Pros:

Otima localização

Cons:

Hotel antigo mas funcional

2026-03-08 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • gb
8
Centrally located hotel with standard comforts
Pros:

Excellent location, room spacious, bathroom clean and recently refurbished with proper bathtub, staff welcoming, plenty of storage space for clothes, secondary glazing for quietness, working safe, properly warm duvets and comfortable bed, recharging points near bed

Cons:

Building a little shabby outside but clean inside, rooms a little dark due to small windows which are rather grimy, shower nice and hot but a little weak. A rug would have been nice.

2026-03-08 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • couple • gb
10
Everything was easy thank you
Pros:

Central location but somehow quiet.

Cons:

Slightly cold bathroom?

2026-03-07 • via Nuitee
N
Nick • couple • gb
9
2026-03-07 • via Nuitee
R
Rashmi • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • solo_traveller • gb
10
Perfect
Pros:

Everything

2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
L
Lee • couple • gb
7
Overall it was ok
Pros:

Hotel was clean staff were brilliant

Cons:

Window didn't open room was very stuffy making it difficult to get off to sleep

2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
K
Kirsty • extended_group • gb
4
Disappointing and dirty
Pros:

The location

Cons:

The room was dark, tired and dirty. My feet stuck to the floor.
The lowest temp on aircon was 19.

2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
A
Adith • couple • gb
8
2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
J
Joanne • solo_traveller • gb
1
Poor definitely would not return
Pros:

Not bad location

Cons:

Dirty
Poor facilities
Befrooms

2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
C
Crouch • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
H
heather • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-03-05 • via Nuitee