Name: Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay
Address: Schooner Way, Atlantic Wharf Wales, Cardiff, CF10 4EE, GB

6/10

Pleasant

02 Aug 2026

Jon

,

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2026

Dorothy

Lovely location. Clean. Staff on hand if needed. Relaxing

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jul 2026

ANDY

Great room, very clean and well maintained, helpful friendly staff made this an excellent choice for a short stay with great breakfast.
Staff helped with taxis and directions back to the city centre.

8/10

Excellent

24 Jul 2026

Ian

Room was clean and adequate for our needs.
Disappointed with the breakfast, no vegetarian options, I asked for two fried eggs and was told they didn’t offer fried eggs.
Would I use them again ! Shame as the location was perfect.

8/10

Excellent

19 Jul 2026

Hannah

Very clean and staff are fantastic. It is not in the downtown area which was fine for us but it is a walk into town if you’re travelling without a vehicle.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jul 2026

Patricia

Heatwave peak had passed yet the aircon was blowing warm air into the room. Offered a room facing opposite direction towards water of dock and a very good fan, but as windows had limiters didnt benefit us. Had to remove duvet from its cover but still had very restless night due to heat. Staff were excellent and did their very best to support guests. Hotel was busy due to events in Cardiff and the air conditioning couldnt cope with demand. Needs to be modernised.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Jun 2026

Tina

Clean and tidy rooms. First night we were in a Standard room with a double bed. No issues whatsoever. Second night we were in a room with a King-Size bed, except it was 2 twins pushed together and it was uncomfortable in the middle, not great sleep unfortunately 😕
On a plus, we ordered pizza 🍕 on the first evening after we got back from our gig and took it back to the room with wine/beer and it was delicious 😋
All in all a good experience and would return 👍

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Jun 2026

Steven

Nice hotel in a good location. Typical budget hotel. Was very hot during the heatwave with no AC unfortunately. We were provided with a fan but it had minimal effect. Breakfast is very basic but adequate although it took a while for items to be replenished during busy times.

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

29 Jun 2026

Clare

We booked a room for 2 adults and 2 children. Room was advertised as a double bed and a double sofa bed sleeping 4. In reality the bed was a queen and the sofa bed barely wider than a single so could not sleep 2 at all. We purchased and squeezed in an air bed so everyone had somewhere to sleep as there are no roll away beds nor do the rooms have space for one. Rooms dont even have a wardrobe or a chair to sit on. The sofa bed was also rather broken making it very uncomfortable and son fell.thoigh it twice. The water pressure in the shower was a little more than a trickle and trying to rinse off soap and shampoo was near on impossible. The shower was also mouldy. The room was unbearably hot, can blow harder than the aircon vent. So awful nights sleep and headaches by morning. Breakfast is included but the trays were mostly empty and when topped up we witnessed about 8 rashers of barely cooked bacon being put out out for 15 waiting people. And what we did get was very poor quality. There are only about 15 tables for a hotel that must sleep 150 plus people so you are very lucky to get a table to eat and we witnessed people stood up trying to eat. Would definitely not stay again even as a last resort on a concert night. We would brave out the trains etc and stay further afield if all other cardff options are full. Staff however are lovely and can't fault them.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

28 Jun 2026

Steve

I arrived in time to get a parking space but am not sure what i would have done if it was full. At the moment access from hemingway road side is closed due to building work. I had to back off considerably for my sat nav to find an alternative way in.
Staff v friendly and facilities were excellent for the price I paid

Self

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jun 2026

Jodie

Expedia and Holiday inn in separate emails stated that check in was 2pm. Arrived at 2 , to be told check in was 3pm, despite emails stating different.

8/10

Excellent

21 Jun 2026

Shelly

Simple clean room and bathroom, a little outdated but perfect for a night or two.
Bed was comfy
Room was warm,
Staff were lovely
Good breakfast and coffee included
Parking £10 a night
Location - 15-20 min walk into the city and same to the marina.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jun 2026

Stephen

Well presented,polite friendly staff, clean, comfortable room, good breakfast.Easy check in and check out. On site parking a bonus, walking distance to town centre, highly recommend and would use again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2026

Jackie

Good location staff were friendly

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2026

neil

Pleasant stay a few minor issues . Tape over crack in shower and nowhere to sit for breakfast as was very busy and not enough staff to cope but they worked very hard and did their best to replenish items

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jun 2026

EIRIAN

Hotel was very busy especially during breakfast. Food slow being replenished. Tables not being cleared
All staff were friendly and helpful

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2026

Gabriel Henrique

The hotel is perfect. Gently staff. Room was very clean. Very good breakfast. Me and my partner had a great stay. I highly recommend.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Cory

My family of 5 stayed for 2 nights and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Staff were friendly, helpful, and interested in our travel plans since we're from Canada.
The waterside walkway was a highlight, and enjoying sunset on the outdoor patio was quite nice.
Thanks!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2026

Woon-yin

reasonably clean room, helpful staff, good breakfast, parking available onsite (£10 per day) useful

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 May 2026

Veronica

Parking was good but only because we were arrived early on our arrival day. The parking throughout the weekend was difficult for those arriving later in the day. Breakfast good but basic. Poor in room facilities, only 2 x small milk portions for two people for two night stay and 2 teabags per room. No complimentary biscuit, no lass or plastic beakers in bathroom. No room service during weekend stay. The staff were helpful and polite. But understaffed at times too. Ideally suited for a one night stop over not the best if looking for a weekend getaway. Pricey for what you get.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 May 2026

Lina

Checking in here was an awful experience. We were working locally and had a lot of equipment (three large heavy cases + multiple bags) with us to bring in so parking is a big part of choosing a hotel. When we arrived the car park was full so I went to reception to ask what we could do. The person checking in ahead of us had just left their car in a non marked spot, so I asked if we could tuck in next to them and we're told no, that they would be asked to move (so why not say that why they were checking and they'd asked where they were parked?) Then we were told the lift was out of order but our room was on the 4th floor. I asked if we could move to a lower room. She said our room type was only on the 4th floor. I offered to pay extra, she said they were fully booked. So we had to drag all of our luggage through reception to the bottom of the stairwell, then take it up in stages. The staff member never offered any assistance in any way. Yet 2 kind guests did. We work in the hospitality sector and personally would have found a colleague to help if it was me. Then my husband had to drive off an find parking elsewhere. We had to of course repeat the game to get everything back down the next morning.

Everything else was fine, room was spacious, bed comfortable enough, and breakfast was nice, but that awful check in experience told us alot about the 'service' here and we won't stay again

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2026

Paul

Food good, hotel very clean. Excellent location for city centre and Bay Area.
Staff were excellent.

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2026

Tanja

Nice quiet location. Easy walk along the canal into town centre

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2026

Sapphire

In great location lovely staff and really tasty breakfast

Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 May 2026

william

breakfast not very good Only scrambled egg.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Chris

Very clean room
Quiet hotel
Pleasant staff
No faults to find

Self

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2026

Shaun

Parking was excellent plenty of spaces. Room was clean and functional though i found the bed very hard. Receptionist was a joy, very pleasant and helpful. Excellent role model. Barman was slow. Breakfast was fine, no complaints and the restaurant staff was very polite and professional. Overall a good stay. I will definitely stay here again.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

21 Apr 2026

riaz

The room was clean and well-maintained, and the staff were excellent—friendly, attentive, and professional throughout our stay. The breakfast buffet was a highlight, with a great selection; my children especially loved it.

Parking can be a bit challenging if you arrive late. There is free street parking available overnight, but charges apply after 8:00 am, so it’s worth planning ahead.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2026

Emily-Ann

Friendly, helpful staff. Great location to get into city centre. Good breakfast.

4/10

Poor

11 Apr 2026

Wing Hung

Poor hotel conditions. Booked 3 bedrooms and the air conditioning is broken in all of them. We’re forced to keep the windows open and use fans.

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2026

Hayley

Great hotel, staff were fab especially lady on reception late on Easter Sunday Eve who was very helpful with parking issues for me & my daughters. We were very grateful. Restaurant staff very helpful too.
Great value for money

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

05 Apr 2026

Akinwale

Good location.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Apr 2026

Shawn

The breakfast plates were dirty. Saw this on another review also, so think they should look into it. The location is between the city center and the Bay. Can walk to either. It is a revitalizing area. They are building a stadium nearby, but there are also industrial areas nearby. Overall, good location. The parking is not guaranteed, and if you go out with your car at night, might not be a place to park when return. Breakfast has variety. Welsh breakfast, not special, but can do worse. Overall, the value is good. It is a nice, newer building in a good location with parking that is price economically.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2026

John

Good breakfast selection well-cooked. Friendly staff although possibly not enough for a busy hotel. Bed quite firm. Shower was ok but water pressure was variable

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 Mar 2026

Sian

Hotel was lovely however our room was not ready for 2pm check in and we were told it was actually 3pm and hotels.com had given us incorrect information!

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

21 Mar 2026

miroslav

It is last minute no other choice expensive order; if the price was 1/3 would make perfect sense the location, the size room, the room facilities, the bad quality, the size of the bath, the variety of th foods do breakfast. If someone pays you - no issue but if you pay yourself stay far away.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2026

Andrew

Great room with water view. Breakfast good, nice bar area. Staff helpful and engaging. Generally happy, as previous.
Expedia need to sync check-in time I.e they state 1400, hotel practice is 1500.

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2026

Alison

Everything was excellent including the cafe/bar menus. Breakfast was extra special. Information was readily available in the tv screen opening screen. The room itself was spacious, bright and housekeeping should be acknowledged for their great work in replenishing towels and coffee/tea supplies! If there was one puzzling surprise in the midst of this it was the poor mattress quality… a rather crucial item. Or was it just this room? Otherwise a good find.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Mar 2026

ALAN CHARLES

No lake view
Clean room
Staff nice

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2026

Tibor

On the way out from the car park I didn't know the code.
There was two ladies at the reception when I have given the room keys back at checkout , either one said anything about the code exiting the car park so I had to walk back to reception to get it, bit disappointing.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2026

Maria

Hotel was lovely, staff very friendly and welcoming. Evening meal tasty, breakfast good quality and plentiful. Ideal location to city centre. parking available.
waterfront room provided a lovely view. Would recommend.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Mar 2026

Mandy

The room was clean staff friendly and helpful
Easy to park
Breakfast ok not much choice for veggies

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2026

Andrew

A great stay. Decent size room. Clean and tidy

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2026

neil

Excellent hotel very very pleasant and helpful staff. Excellent location for Cardiff Bay

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Mar 2026

James

Great stay. Basic but clean and modern. Special shout out to the wonderful lady running the breakfast service; cheerful, helpful and charming.

Partner

4/10

Poor

01 Mar 2026

Kathryn

Room wasn’t clean mold on walls by the window, on ceiling in bathroom. Dirty shower black grime on inside of the shower

6/10

Pleasant

25 Feb 2026

gary

Room needs treating for mould around windows

8/10

Excellent

24 Feb 2026

Gordon

Yes everything was great. Staff were very helpful and polite. Room was clean and tidy.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2026

sharon

Room was well presented, compact but with everything that was needed, very clean. Breakfast was also good.

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

13 Feb 2026

Martin

Pleasant staff, and food was OK, but my room had problems: heater controls not working; TV didn’t work properly; bathroom extractor fan didn’t work; one reading light didn’t work reliably; there was some sticky goo on the table.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

12 Feb 2026

Alan

Sign post better from Cardiff Central Station

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Feb 2026

wai ming

Yes

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Feb 2026

Wayne

Very clean room, courteous staff

Business

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2026

Cleyson

Nice place, amazing staff. We had a good experience.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Jan 2026

Nina

The staff were friendly and helpful. The bed was comfortable and the room a reasonable size. There was an iron, ironing board and hairdryer. The shower was a good size and worked well. The breakfast was ok, a usual fry up, croissants, cereals, fruit juices and tea and coffee.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

25 Jan 2026

Kelly

Room was clean and well equipped. Staff friendly and helpful.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jan 2026

Kerri

Staff were really friendly, for the price the room was ok but the shower did have stains/mould and so did the carpet in the main area.
The breakfast was good considering it was free, but there were yoghurts that were 2 days out of date in the fridge which I almost ate so that wasn’t great

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2026

Bianca

The whole place was great. Room was clean and tidy. We had a room over looking the water which was nice. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. The only reason it drops a star is the noise from the road on the opposite side of the water is loud especially when motorbikes or loud exhaust cars go along it. I did worry that the road noise would keep us awake but luckily it didn’t

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2026

Deana

Very clean. Friendly staff.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Jan 2026

FIONA

Friendly helpful staff, quick check in, spacious clean room and great breakfast. Will book again

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2026

Philip

We have just arrived home from our stay in Cardiff. We chose the Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay because of its location and we are extremely pleased that we did. Choosing a hotel can be a bit of a lottery and we certainty got the jackpot. This is a modern building located not far from Cardiff bay, about a fifteen minute walk to the bay itself with restaurants and some shops. On arrival our reception was warm and welcoming. We were help be the young receptionist with directions to the Millennium Centre and to Cardiff City centre which was about a twenty five minute walk from the hotel. There is a public transport bus into the centre but we enjoyed the walk. Our room had all that we needed for the three nights that we were there and was exceptionally clean and comfortable. Breakfast was included in our payment and was hot, plentiful with a good range of choice. But I cannot praise the staff sufficiently. From our receptionist to the lady who serviced our room, to the staff helping at the breakfast buffet, they were polite, helpful and good humoured. Why aren’t all hotels like this?

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jan 2026

Alison T

music in the common area was awful

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2025

Thirumala

.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2025

Ali

Good Overall

8/10

Excellent

23 Dec 2025

Michael

Check in was quick and efficient and the room was clean albeit cold due to a draught from the window.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

Darryl

Great place friendly and clean

Business

8/10

Excellent

19 Dec 2025

Wayne

Room was quiet and beds were comfortable.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Dec 2025

Peter

Staff very friendly , room (109 ) clean but carpet stained and pedal bin broken . Breakfast was a let down unfortunately as not very well cooked and barely warm .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Dec 2025

Tracey

Only thing we found disappointing was petrol cars parked in the charging points so we were unable to charge car

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

15 Dec 2025

Fernando

Better maintenance needed. The radiator had a little control panel that seems to have a battery. It wasn't working well and it was making a constant noise at regular intervals similar to the noise of a fire alarm unit whose battery needs to be replaced. VERY ANNOYING.
Cleaning could be better. the fan in the shower was cover in a nasty amount of dust that was blocking almost the total area of the fan air flow.
The breakfast buffet was very basic. The coffee was AWFUL. Both coffee machines had notes on them about failures. DISAPPOINTING.
Parking was very limited. Even main road parking was limited. NOT GOOD.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2025

Stuart

great room

Business

10/10

Exceptional

11 Dec 2025

Victoria

Really good value for money. Staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good. Quiet location but within walking distance of city centre. Parking was a bit of a pain, not always spaces - but they refund you if you are unable to park. Overall, nice experience - would stay again if I went to Cardiff Bay.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

10 Dec 2025

Rachel

Nice woke up at 5am constant tapping noice that you could even hear in the hallway reception didn’t know. What it was

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Dec 2025

Owen

no fried eggs or mushrooms

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

02 Dec 2025

Caroline

We were disappointed that the hotel does not offer blue badge holders a

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2025

Brian

Great room and great staff

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2025

Duncan

Room spotless. Front desk and breakfast staff friendly and helpful,

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Nov 2025

Amanda

The hotel was lovely. Very clean. Rooms were comfortable and again very clean. The staff were so helpful and friendly always smiling. Nothing was a problem for them. Breakfast was really good. Nice choice and tasty.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2025

Faheem

Clean room close to all amenities

Business

6/10

Pleasant

24 Nov 2025

N

The mattress wasn't too comfortable. Didn't sleep that well on either night. Room was clean and a decent size

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2025

Sian

As soon as we entered the hotel we were hit by a lovely clean , fresh smell :)
Room was clean, breakfast we great. All food was fresh and of high quality. Staff were very helpful and warming . Would highly recommend this hotel.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Nov 2025

Donna

Staff very friendly

4/10

Poor

21 Nov 2025

Angela

You can check in at 2pm and when we arrived we were told our room wasn't ready, nearly 2:30 before we could check in, although they were very apologetic they could of at least offered a coffee while we waited. The outside of the hotel nearest to the river was in a state, there were weeds everywhere and even big buddleias growing out of the cracks in the ground which looked like they had been there for over a year, the whole outside needed a good tidy up to make it welcoming.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2025

Ann

Great stay near bus into Cardiff city.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Nov 2025

stephen

Good

8/10

Excellent

12 Nov 2025

Ruth

Very comfy bed, and good housekeeping. There were 3 teabags, 4 coffee sachets and 4 milk cartons in the room, which I found to be budget standard not reflecting the room price. Breakfast giid but kor sorcual

Business

8/10

Excellent

10 Nov 2025

Gwyn

Quiet area
Helpfull staff
Clean room

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

10 Nov 2025

WEN-CHENG

FRIENDLY STAFF CLEAN ROOMS NICE HOTEL

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2025

Mark

Lovely hotel.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2025

Robin

Spotless room staff very helpful and friendly

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

31 Oct 2025

Fiona

Something wrong with the drainage system in the bathroom- the toilet and sink kept filling up.
Staff not always on front desk to report. Room number 12

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2025

Violet

Yes

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

25 Oct 2025

Richard

Room was fine, but check in is at 3pm, not 2pm as advertised

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2025

Lisa

Great service, lovely friendly staff. Clean rooms and great breakfast.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Oct 2025

Jacques

Could not fault it.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

Bernard

I spent four nights for business trip. Polite and friendly staff and warm welcome. Room clean, comfortable and pleasant. Parking not a problem
The location was perfect for getting to my workplace. Breakfast was excellent, tasty and provided a great start to the day
Thank you, great job!

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

11 Oct 2025

Randolph

Our accessible room had a wet room. The water did not drain very quickly which resulted in the whole floor becoming very wet. Also, the toilet took a lot of flushing to clear. Other than that the room was very convenient, close to the lift. The beds were very comfortable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2025

Matthew

My partner is NCGI so when we asked for gluten free stuff for breakfast they were more than accommodating

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Oct 2025

Stephen

All good and easy parking