Despite its age and history, Cardiff has only been the capital of Wales since 1955. However recent investment has seen the revitalisation of Cardiff Bay and the waterfront district, the new rugby stadium and the Senedd building, which is the seat of the Welsh parliament. The best places to stay in Cardiff are just as architecturally varied as the rest of the city's highlights, and range from Victorian townhouse conversions to a swanky waterfront hotel and spa that has been designed to look like a cruise ship.

Some of our Cardiff collections:

• Cardiff Hotels with Parking

If you’re in town to see the rugby, then you’ll want to be as close as you can to the Principality Stadium, which is the home of Welsh rugby, and hosted the 1999 Rugby World Cup. It’s very close to the centre of town, at the Cardiff Castle end of Bute Park. As well as sports fans, Cardiff is popular with shoppers, and folk drawn to the buzz of the city and the promise of great live music and a thriving scene for revelry. The best shopping can be found at the top end of Bute Park, on Queen Street, and the best places to go out of an evening are clustered around St. Mary Street and Charles Street.

If you’re fascinated by the history of this youthful capital, don't miss the National Museum of Cardiff, which covers great swathes of history, and is also home to one of Europe’s finest collections of impressionist art. The National History Museum, at St. Fagans, is a vast outdoor museum with a variety of historical buildings brought here from all over the country. This is a great place to learn all about Wales' past.

The best places to stay in Cardiff can be busy year round, especially if there's a big rubgy match or popular musical event in the calendar. So do your research and book well ahead to avoid disappointment.

The Best Places to Stay in Cardiff

For Water Views

• St David's Hotel & Spa is a large hotel on Cardiff Bay. As well as 146 stylish and well-proportioned rooms and suites, the hotel has a great restaurant with a terrace overlooking the water, and a luxurious spa. There’s a pool, gym, 24 hour room service, and parking. When you look out onto the bay you may feel like you’re a world away from the city, but it’s only about two minutes

Best B&Bs

• The Number One Hundred is a family-owned and managed, seven room B&B in the heart of Cardiff City Centre. The rooms are all simply decorated, with contemporary furnishings and colours, and they all have full ensuites.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Cardiff Airport is to the south-west of the city, about half an hour from the centre by train, or about 20 minutes in a car of taxi. If you’re travelling via London, rail is your best bet. You can reach Cardiff in around two hours, leaving from London Paddington.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Cardiff is a proper city break destination, with lots to see and do whenever you fancy visiting. The Cardiff calendar of events and entertainment is awash with carnivals, food festivals, music, art and cultural exhibitions, and all sorts of celebrations. Cardiff is particularly beautiful in the spring, when blooms liven up the city, and you can fit more into the longer daylight hours. Autumn is pretty too. Whatever time of year you plan to visit it’s worth packing your wet weather gear, because like the rest of the UK, Cardiff's weather can be unpredictable!

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Glamorgan or all the best hotels in South Wales
• Refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for. Consider our Gurus' recommendations for the best pubs-with-rooms in Wales
• Consider Cardiff’s neighbours: what about Swansea?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.