Staying in Cardiff

Fen1

I'm planning a a week's trip to Cardiff/Borders,and wondered if there were any really nice ( not exorbitant )places to stay in the city for the first part of the break, and further East for the second leg. Also any good places to eat. Budget's not too tight as have not had a holiday this year - but good value always welcome!
I know that the museums and galleries are free in Wales, but was hoping for a bit more info about what else we can do inside in the city and the area (esp.now it's getting a bit parky).
THanks.

alchemista

I like the Marriott Cardiff, the Macdonald Holland House is also nice inside (not so much outside though). The Hilton has a really nice lobby and pool/exercise.

RedBern

you don't say the dates you're taking your holiday - however, if you want a good day out the Abergavenny Food Fest is on the weekend of 15/16 September. It is the 'Glastonbury of food'! Abergavenny is about 40 mins away from Cardiff - and is the 'Gateway to Wales'. The food festival takes over the whole town - and is a great day out for all the family.......

RedBern

oh, and in terms of what to do in Cardiff - St Fagan's is a must - (and it's free) a rural life museum and you'd probably spend all day there...

Fen1

THanks for the advice. We were hoping to go and see the new Bay development, and places like St. Fagan's already ear-marked. Anybody know if Castell Coch is wheelchair-friendly?

black-saturn

Just be careful. My parents were mugged twice on a recent weekend in cardiff and had the window of their car smashed and their stereo nicked from it.

Other than that they liked the castle.

safesound

LOL! Well as long as they liked the castle....thats okay then.
(I hope they are both okay btw)
They were a bit unlucky BlackSaturn. Just out of interest where were they when they were mugged?

safesound

Nope, the drawbridge is okay to get inside the castle, maybe the coffee shop too but theres lots and lots of stairs to get to the decorative rooms.

shudd1967

We go about three times a year for weekends in cardiff and I love the place. The Holland house hotel is a great place to stay, now owned by Mercure, not Macdonald. I have heard that the Marriott is pretty good too.

For a brilliant Thai meal try The Thai House (think thats its name) and I believe the road is guildford road or Cresent - not cheap but a fantastic unhurried meal. We also like Signor Valentinos for Italian down at the bay.:beer:

Don't know when you are planning on going but be warned when wales are playing at home prices rocket in hotels so try and avoid, they are playing some mathces there in world cup. Do see the Cardiff Blues for a rugby match if you can, good atmosphere and usually a good game.

I love it there close to Xmas when they have the Xmas markets which are ususally very good too.
Enjoy!

black-saturn

safesound wrote: »

They were a bit unlucky BlackSaturn. Just out of interest where were they when they were mugged?

The first time walking past burger king near the train station at about 5.30pm. The second time walking back to their hotel (The marriot) at about 10am the next day and their car was smashed and robbed whilst parked in the hotel car park.

My daughter wants to go to Cardiff to see the doctor who exhibition and various places there but theres no way I'm taking her.

safesound

The Burger King one I understand as the train/bus station is filled with social miscreants (addicts/prostitutes/weirdos etc) but it surprises me they were mugged outside the Marriot as its a nice hotel in its own grounds and that part of Central Cardiff is normally okay.
As for the Dr. Who exhibition, I think if you wanted to take her then maybe staying in central Cardiff is a bad idea, possibly a better idea would be to stay somewhere a bit further out and only come in for the day. That way you'd feel safe (ish?) and she'd still get to see the exhibition.
I've lived in Cardiff all my life and never had a problem, either centrally or locally, but I suppose I grew up here so I know when/where to avoid.