Featured hotels in Cardiff

Travel Guide Intro

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Title

Destination Guide: Cardiff, Wales

Description

Top things to do, where to stay, what to eat and how to get around 

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and an easy city to explore on a short break. The compact center brings Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, historic shopping arcades and major sports venues close together. Cardiff Bay adds waterfront walks, cultural attractions and places to eat. Use this guide to plan the best things to do in Cardiff, choose an area to stay and build an fun filled itinerary. 

Plan your trip to Cardiff 

Best time to visit	Late spring to early autumn offers longer days for sightseeing. Rain is possible in every season, so bring a light waterproof layer.
Recommended stay	Allow two to three days for the city center, Cardiff Bay and one nearby day trip.
Currency	Pound Sterling (GBP). Card and contactless payments are common.
Languages	English and Welsh. Signs often use both languages. “Diolch” means “thank you.”
Good to know	Large rugby matches, concerts and festivals can affect room prices, transport and road access. Check the local event calendar before your trip.

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Description: Cardiff combines Welsh history, green spaces, shopping, sport and a lively waterfront. Many leading attractions are close to the city center. 

Explore Cardiff Castle
Visit a landmark with Roman, Norman and Victorian history in the heart of the city. Allow time for the grounds, interiors and views from the Norman keep. 

Walk through Bute Park 
Follow paths beside the River Taff and enjoy gardens, woodland and open lawns next to Cardiff Castle.

Browse the historic arcades 
Explore Cardiff’s Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades for independent shops, cafés, books, gifts and local design. 

Visit National Museum Cardiff 
See art and natural history collections near Cathays Park. General admission is free, but special exhibitions may charge a fee. 

Experience Principality Stadium 
Take a stadium tour or attend a rugby match, football match or concert. Event days can make the city center much busier. 

Spend time in Cardiff Bay 
Walk along the waterfront and Cardiff Bay Barrage. See the Wales Millennium Centre and the Senedd, the home of the Welsh Parliament. 

Discover local history at the Museum of Cardiff 
Learn how Cardiff developed through stories about the people, work and events that shaped the city. 

Visit St Fagans National Museum of History 
Travel beyond the center to this open-air museum, where historic buildings and collections explain everyday life in Wales.

Description

Choose an area based on the experience you want and the places you plan to visit. 

Area	Great for
City center	Best for first-time visitors. Stay close to Cardiff Castle, the arcades, restaurants, nightlife and Cardiff Central station.
Cardiff Bay	Best for waterfront views, cultural venues, family attractions and quieter evenings away from the busiest central streets.
Pontcanna	Best for leafy streets, independent restaurants, cafés and a neighborhood atmosphere within easy reach of the center.
Roath	Best for parks, local cafés and a residential setting with transport links to central Cardiff.
Canton and Riverside	Best for repeat visitors and food-focused trips, with markets, independent venues and diverse dining.

Description

By train 
Cardiff Central is the main rail station. It has connections to cities across Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom. The station is within walking distance of many central hotels and attractions. 

By air 
Cardiff Airport serves the region. Transport routes and schedules can change, so check the airport’s official travel information before you leave. 

By car 
The M4 motorway passes north of Cardiff. Driving and parking can be more difficult during major events, when road closures may be in place. 

Getting Around Cardiff 
Cardiff has a compact, mostly flat city center with large pedestrian areas. Walking is often the simplest way to travel between central attractions. 

•  Use local buses for neighborhoods and attractions beyond the center. 

•  Use local trains for Cardiff Bay and destinations around South Wales. 

•  Check the waterbus schedule if you want a scenic trip between the city center and Cardiff Bay. 

•  Use the Taff Trail and other traffic-free routes for walking and cycling. 

Description: Cardiff has traditional Welsh food, international restaurants, markets, independent cafés and relaxed pubs. 

Look for cawl, Welsh rarebit, Glamorgan sausages, laverbread, bara brith and Welsh cakes. Cardiff Market is a convenient place to browse local food stalls and try a warm Welsh cake. 

The city center and historic arcades have cafés, pubs and restaurants. City Road is known for international food. Pontcanna and Canton have independent restaurants and neighborhood bars. Cardiff Bay offers waterfront dining.

Description: Day 1: City center 
Start at Cardiff Castle, walk through Bute Park, explore the historic arcades and visit Cardiff Market. End the day near the city center or Principality Stadium. 

Day 2: Culture and Cardiff Bay 
Visit National Museum Cardiff in the morning. Continue to Cardiff Bay for the Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd and a waterfront walk. 

Day 3: Choose a local experience 
Visit St Fagans National Museum of History, spend time in Pontcanna and Canton, or take a day trip to Caerphilly, Penarth or the wider South Wales region.

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- Bristol (BRS)

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Cardiff hotel information
IHG hotels in Cardiff	14
Total IHG hotel rooms in Cardiff	1,749
Cardiff hotel price range	$250.93–$272.58 USD per night
Total Cardiff hotel reviews	23,734
IHG Cardiff hotels average review rating	4.37

Cardiff Hotels Frequently Asked Questions

Description: IHG offers many ways for guests to save on Cardiff hotels. One way is by booking now and paying later with our member rate. Members get our lowest rates. Join the IHG® One Rewards Loyalty Program. Another way is by paying using points. One way to gain bonus points is to check out current promotions and offers. There are also last-minute deals backed by IHG’s Best Price Guarantee.

Description: Absolutely! Many of the IHG hotels in Cardiff offer family-friendly amenities such as connecting rooms and kids' menus. IHG has 6 hotels in Cardiff where kids eat free. Check with the individual hotel for more information about their family-friendly offerings.

Description: Yes, 9 IHG hotels in Cardiff are pet-friendly and welcome furry friends! Some hotels offer pet amenities, including pet beds and treats, as well as information about pet relief areas. Select hotels may charge additional fees per pet staying at the hotel. For more information on hotel specific pet policies, visit the amenities page on the hotel's website.

Description: 6 of the IHG hotels in Cardiff offer complimentary breakfast. Check the hotel's website to find out more details, as they may vary by brand and location.

Description: IHG Hotels offer a variety of amenities such as free Wi-Fi, fitness centers, business centers, restaurants/bars, and much more! IHG has 1 hotels in Cardiff with an in-room kitchen and 3 hotels in Cardiff with a pool! Check the hotel's amenities page on their website for more information on the specific amenities offered.

Description: 0 IHG hotels in Cardiff have an airport shuttle available. Please check the hotel’s website for specific hours of operation.

Description: 2 IHG hotels in Cardiff offer complimentary self-parking; however, parking costs may vary by hotel and location. Some hotels may include parking as part of their stay package, while others may charge an additional daily fee. Check the hotel's amenities page on their website for more information on their parking policies.

Description: Yes, most hotels have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to check-in without an adult present. However, some hotels may allow guests under the age of 18 to check-in if they are accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. Check the hotel's website or contact the hotel directly for more information on their specific age requirements.

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Cardiff Hotels

Featured hotels in Cardiff

Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre

Hotel Indigo Cardiff

Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay

Staybridge Suites Cardiff

voco St. David's Cardiff

Holiday Inn Cardiff - North M4, Jct.32

Holiday Inn Express Newport

Holiday Inn Newport

Holiday Inn Bristol Airport

Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre

Holiday Inn Express Bristol City Centre

Holiday Inn Express Bristol - Filton

Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater M5, Jct. 24

Holiday Inn Bristol - Filton

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Cardiff Hotels

Featured hotels in Cardiff

Travel Guide Intro

Best things to do in Cardiff

Where to stay in Cardiff

Getting to Cardiff

What to eat and drink in Cardiff

Itineraries: Explore Cardiff in 72 hours

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Cardiff Hotels Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money booking IHG hotels in Cardiff?

Are there any family-friendly IHG hotels in Cardiff?

Are there any pet-friendly hotels in Cardiff?

Are there any hotels in Cardiff that offer free breakfast?

What amenities can I expect from my stay at an IHG Hotel in Cardiff?

Does IHG have hotels in Cardiff with an airport shuttle?

Do I need to pay for parking at my hotel in Cardiff?

Is there a minimum age requirement to check into a hotel in Cardiff?

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