Cardiff hotels

Tucked away in the 1920s Dominions Arcade along Queen Street, Hotel Indigo is a celebration of all things Welsh. From the giant print of Dame Shirley Bassey to the cwtch wall and bore da cushions, it's quirky, colourful and full of character.

The 116 guestrooms are designed around three themes: Made in Wales, Welsh Industry and Music. But this doesn't detract from the essentials, with plush bedding, spa-quality Welsh Mydafai toiletries, powerful showers and attentive service.

The rooftop Lefel 6 bar and restaurant offers panoramic views and takes full advantage of Welsh produce. Meanwhile, Bute & Co coffee house is my go-to for a morning brew, with a “what's on” board highlighting local events. The city's prettiest Victorian and Edwardian arcades are on the doorstep, and the castle and National Museum of Cardiff are less than 10 minutes' walk away.

Once Cardiff's post office and county court, two elegant 19th-century buildings have been thoughtfully combined to create the Parkgate Hotel. This luxurious 5-star city-centre property has quickly developed a reputation as one of the best hotels in Cardiff, winning the coveted AA Hotel of the Year for Wales award.

This hotel is all about decadence, from Champagne afternoon teas to the sumptuous sixth-floor spa, with ELEMIS treatments and a hydrotherapy infinity pool looking out over the city. Each of the 170 guestrooms is different, making the most of original features, including the wow-factor Tower Suite in the former post office's bell tower.

With Art Deco wood paneling and chandeliers, the chic Sorting Room restaurant and bar is a destination in its own right. Signature cocktails like Royal Mail and The Letter give a nod to the building's history (though I can never resist their Welsh Black Cherry Mojito).

Get a taste of Spain a stone's throw from Cardiff Castle at Parador 44, one of the most unique hotels in Cardiff. This boutique property is the brainchild of two Iberia-loving brothers, who've created a Spanish parador inside a three-story Cardiff townhouse.

There are just nine rooms, decorated in simple Andalusian style. Think white walls, vintage Spanish fabrics and reclaimed wooden shutters as headboards.

The suntrap terrace is a winner on a summer's evening. Or there's a restful lounge where you can help yourself to wines, beers, liquor and Spanish snacks from the honesty bar. Don't miss their unusual take on Welsh cakes, infused with sherry.

Food is at the heart of this hotel, with the cozy Asador 44 restaurant tucked away downstairs. This popular dining spot specializes in charcoal-grilled meat and fish, cooked in the open kitchen—their del dia weekday lunch menu is particularly good value.

With its eye-catching, sail-shaped roof and glass-walled atrium, the 5-star Voco St David's is one of the best hotels in Cardiff Bay. Its luxurious, contemporary style fits in perfectly among the modern buildings of the city's rejuvenated docklands.

Guestrooms are spread across seven floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the views along the coast to Penarth. Scandi-style furnishings, murals of crashing waves and abstract coastal artworks bring the outdoors inside.

The hotel houses one of Cardiff's top spas, with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and 15-metre pool with bay views. Treatments use OSKIA and seaweed-based ishga products—their deep-tissue massage left me walking on air.

Start the evening with a sunset cocktail on the bar terrace before heading to the classy Tir a Môr (Land and Sea) restaurant, which makes creative use of local ingredients, from Brecon lamb to Blas y Tir leeks.

Leafy Pontcanna is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Cardiff. Independent stores, delis and gastropubs give it a village feel, but it's only a 20-minute walk across Bute Park to the city centre. It's also where you'll find one of the best hotels in Cardiff.

Coffico Hotel is a Victorian townhouse-turned-hotel, run by a local coffee company. The hotel has eight rooms, plus two apartments and a self-contained two-bedroom cottage in the garden. Rooms are decked out in restful grays and silvers, with high ceilings and natural light flooding in.

As you'd expect from a coffee company, it's easy to get a great cup here—either try the in-room espresso machines or pick up one from the coffee shop to drink in the garden. Although there's no restaurant, you're spoilt for choice nearby: The Pontcanna Inn and Thomas by Tom Simmons are my top picks.

A sophisticated, modern hotel with an arty side, the Park Plaza has a prime location next to the New Theatre and a few minutes' walk from Cardiff's city centre attractions. It's also one of the best hotels in Cardiff for spa lovers, with a 20-metre pool, eight treatment rooms and a two-storey gym.

Coming into the bright gallery-style lobby, you're immediately struck by the wall of glass birds, which look like they're moving as the light changes. The artworks—created by artist Izabella Leszczynska—continue through the hotel's 129 guestrooms.

I like to while away the evening in the Laguna Kitchen and Bar, with cocktails in the bar's snug booths and Welsh dishes with an international twist on the tree-lined terrace. Having the city's top nightlife right outside can mean some noise, so ask for a room to the rear for a restful night’s sleep.

Cardiff's Royal Hotel comes with a historic pedigree—in 1910, Captain Scott held a farewell dinner here before his fateful Antarctic expedition. It's still welcoming visitors today, with 60 guestrooms spread across five floors. And although its grandeur might have faded a little, it remains an affordable, central spot.

The location makes it one of the best hotels in Cardiff for exploring, just 300 metres from Cardiff Central Station and the Principality Stadium. It's at the heart of Cardiff's nightlife too, a short walk from some of my favourite bars like the speakeasy-style Dead Canary.

As well as standard double, twin and triple rooms, you can upgrade to superior rooms with bathrobes and complimentary wine. Or book one of their “Cinema rooms” with 75-inch screens, PS4s and Star Wars murals. I love the Bee Kind toiletries, made using honey from bees living in hives on the hotel rooftop.

As the name suggests, this opulent hotel is housed inside Cardiff Bay's former Coal Exchange. Once, 10,000 merchants passed through the doors of this Renaissance Revival building each day—and it was where the first-ever £1 million (1.78 million CAD) cheque was signed.

The hotel has combined heritage features with modern luxury to create one of the best hotels in Cardiff. At its heart is the Grand Hall, the former trading floor with its original balconies, frescoes and chandeliers. The lavish decor extends to the guestrooms, with colourful wallpaper, velvet walls, antique furniture and spa baths. I recommend the fabulously over-the-top Presidential Suite if you want to splash out.

Aura Brasserie and Bar carries on the heritage-luxe feel, with deep red walls and leather chairs. Their bottomless brunch is a weekend favourite, serving up comfort food classics and quirky takes on Welsh classics like Nduja rarebit.

If you're planning an extended stay in the Welsh capital, Staybridge Suites is one of the best hotels in Cardiff for long-term visitors. The 73 bright and modern suites overlook Bute East Dock and all come with fully equipped kitchens and living areas so you can really make yourself at home.

Choose from studios or larger one-bedroom suites with balconies. There's also a host of useful facilities, from a fitness centre and laundry to a coffee shop and The Pantry, where you can stock up on essentials. I think their Happy Hours are a great idea, especially for solo travellers. Here, you can meet other residents over free drinks and nibbles.

The hotel sits between the city centre and the bay, with restaurants and attractions within 15 minutes' walk. Transport links are excellent too, with Cardiff Bay station 800 metres away and convenient on-site paid parking.

If you're looking for a good value, comfortable and central base, I don’t think you can beat Sleeperz—it's also one of the best hotels in Cardiff for families. With its bright and breezy black, white and red colour scheme, this hip hotel is part of a small chain of city centre hotels that get the basics just right.

It's a convenient spot with Cardiff Central station just outside and the castle, museums and parks less than 800 metres away. Light, modern, wooden-floored rooms range from compact cabins to more spacious superior and family rooms, all carefully designed to make the most of the space.

There's a comfortable lounge bar to relax in, serving teas, coffees and pastries in the morning and beers, wines and liquor later on—with an open fireplace to warm you up on cooler nights.