Lodging in Cardiff

You don’t say whether you are looking for 5* or cheapo.

Premier Inn on Churchill Way (it is not on Queen Street) offers good value accommodation.

If arriving by train at Cardiff Central and staying at the above hotel, note that it is closer to Queen Street station than Central That being so, buy a ticket to Cardiff Queen Street. On arrival at Central - just transfer to platform 6 where a train going via Queen Street should soon arrive. Alternatively, walk from Central as it is all on the flat.

Note that if arriving by car that parking can be expensive or non existent if choosing a downtown hotel.

Also read what I have written here:> https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/trip-planning-d8d2d7b7-5735-4a38-9c1e-d3bc02c3d61e

Thank you! Looking fora mid-range to quite nice hotel. We will be arriving by train from Heathrow on July 4. During our 2 days, will be looking to tour the city’s highlights. Any suggestions are welcome.

I stayed at Hotel Indigo Cardiff in May 2023 and enjoyed it. It is a little "high end" I guess (for me at least). The location is very close to the castle and museum and not too far from the bus stop to, for example, St Fagans, or the train station. I took the National Express bus from Heathrow to Cardiff, and I had a pleasant 15 minute walk past the castle to the hotel.

Note that the hotel is located within an arcade (kind of like a covered mini mall) on a pedestrian only shopping street. The arcade and the shopping area had numerous vacant store fronts, and there were also people hanging out or living there who approached me to ask for money. It was not a charming atmosphere, but I felt safe and comfortable. The hotel breakfast was great and was served in their top floor restaurant, where I also had dinner a couple nights.

I also stayed at the Hotel Indigo but a number of years ago. Didn't have a problem with anyone approaching me.

Great location.

Unfortunately, Cardiff has seen an increase in vagrants who plonk themselves down in places with high pedestrian volumes in the hope that they will be given money. It is illegal for them to approach or ask for money and the Council have requested that people do not give them money. Cardiff Council was foolish enough to allow homeless hostels to be created just to the south of the city centre whilst had they been some way away, it would have removed them from the central area to some extent.

The city centre is pretty safe - as indeed is the rest of the city. You will find people of all ages wandering around the city centre. In Bute Park - just behind the castle, you will find young women sunbathing in summer. They would not be doing that if they felt it was dangerous.

A refurbishment has taken place of some of the shops near the Hotel Indigo - hence the reason why they were boarded up for a while.

Another hotel to consider - which is just a 4 minute walk from the Central Rail Station is:>https://www.claytonhotelcardiff.com
It has good reviews on Tripadvisor but the street outside can be a bit rowdy at night due to bars. I presume that inside you would be unable to hear the noise from the trains on the south side.