Novotel Cardiff Centre

I paid for the room and included the option to cancel up to the night before. I received an email a few days before arrival to check in on-line. When I followed the link to do this, I got part way through, then the web-site kept throwing an "Oops there's been an error" message, and it wouldn't let me complete. So I rang the hotel and checked in that way - no problem.However, when we got to the hotel and spoke to the receptionist to organise access to the room, she informed us the room had been locked for some reason by the lady who I rang to check us in. This was a little inconvenient as time was running short for us to get to the concert we'd booked, in time for the start. It was then they promised to sort it out, and offered us a drink in the restaurant / bar. It was here we were introduced to Anthony, and can't praise the guy enough. Not sure if he was bar manager or something else, but he listened with an interested and sympathetic ear. He instantly authorised a couple of pints of beer (on the hotel) for us, and a little later, when myself and my girlfriend decided to eat there, he even told us not to worry about paying for the meal! Amazing service. He then gave us a sending off gift of another free drink each. So cannot praise Anthony enough. We went from feeling a little glum and let down, to very happy. Well done Anthony and well done Novotel - you need to hang on to this man!

Liked: Room; staff.
Disliked: Room was locked on arrival.

Very good

Do not waste your well...

Liked: The swimming pool sauna and jacuzzi breakfast was nice
Disliked: We was told the room was superior it wasn't and didnt feel like superior the description of the room was misleading the staff were rude arrogant and ignorant from beginning of stay throughout the sheets were filthy there were stains everywhere along with hairs and stains on the curtains and when reported was told that housekeeping wasn't available was told different things about using my accor membership card with them there was a crack in the shower tiles and was unsafe to stand in bathtub to shower as there was no bathmat the tv was constantly going on and off throughout our stay and when reported the staff did not care and had lack of empathy and customer service the fact that we paid over a grand for a 4 night stay was gutwrenching with the way we was treated we attended the bar one evening to buy drinks just before closing and other guests were doing the same and the girl behind the bar got into a flap and said she couldn't serve anybody even though it didnt close till 11 she wasn't very pleasant and shouldn't be in a customer service based job the manager of the bar didnt understand how the membership card worked and didnt have a clue what he was doing he was then rude and arrogant at breakfast time in the morning there was also another girl at breakfast hovering around tables whilst we was eating which is beyond rude trying to rush people along the air con in the room wasn't working again reported to incompetent staff who did not resolve the issue again hence the price we paid this should of been addressed one of the lifts was out of service throughout the duration of our stay which added to the inconvenience of what was supposed to be a nice relaxing stay to claim that this is a four star hotel is a joke and they should be downgraded below is just a few photos there are loads more

Probably wouldn’t stay again.

Liked: Comfortable bed after long day at a concert
Disliked: The reception staff clearly don’t like anyone that’s different, lots of families greeted so nicely, heavy metal fans there for Slayer however, were met with nothing more than a grunt.

Pleasant

Liked: Restaurant was very nice, breakfast was excellent. Gym and pool included in price is great.
Disliked: Room was really quite poorly equipped for the price. One single, quite dim lightbulb in the main part of the room seems poor. The bathroom was adequate but no more. The lack of plug sockets or charging points by the bed seems inexcusable for a modern hotel. For a hundred pounds less it would be fine, but the price suggests a much better room than I found.

Good

Superb

Lovely comfortable stay close to...

Liked: Was close to the centre and train station. The room was spacious and clean. We had breakfast at the property which there were plenty of options. Lunch / main menu options plenty of choice and we really enjoyed the steak sandwich and fish finger sandwiches and also the loaded fries! Bar staff were so friendly and helpful too.
Disliked: Nothing to complain about we had a nice comfortable stay and would come again.

Wouldn’t pay to stay there...

Liked: Good location
Disliked: Rooms were very worn out, the shower leaked through to the bedroom wall. Walls were marked and cracked.The bed was two singles pushed together with no cover cover on it, the beds weren’t made.

Very good

Liked: Nice well equipped hotel close to city centre