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.

Conveniant and comfy with great...

Liked: The location and facilities were perfect for our short stay. Perfectly positioned between city centre and harbour
Disliked: Check-in took an age. Additional (steep) fees for parking were not obvious pre-booking.

Nice stop over

Liked: Pool was greatRoom was spacious and comfortable
Disliked: Had to pay extra for parking - not mentioned when booked.Corridors could do with a refresh

A lovely place to stay....

Liked: Lovely food, and lovely people
Disliked: To hot in the room

Brilliant!

Liked: Swimming pool, spa & sauna was awesome and very relaxingThe breakfast was awesome and the check out at 12am was very convenientThe hotel staff was friendly & helpfull

Would not stay again as...

Liked: Location, Breakfast & Pool area
Disliked: We stayed as a family of four—two adults and our 10- and 13-year-old children. The room had one queen bed and one sofa bed. Unfortunately, the sofa bed was very small and broken. We ended up having to take the mattress off and place it on the floor. Given what we paid, the accommodation did not meet our expectations. It was very uncomfortable.

Good

Liked: Comfortable bed. Quiet room. Decent breakfast.
Disliked: Air con in our room wasn't working. Spoke to others on the same floor and theirs weren't working either. Asked for a fan. But for one of the hottest days of the year, for a 4 star hotel you'd expect better.

Very underwhelmed

Liked: Comfortable bed
Disliked: The reception staff were so unwelcoming and hardly acknowledged us - given a room with no shower and the most basic room - when complained begrudgingly gave a better room with empty shower gel in shower - was told could get reduced rate parking by message - nothing offered until asked again two hours after checking out!

Good

Frustrating and disappointing on this...

Liked: Location always good. Pool always nice, though no time to use on this visit.
Disliked: Staff disinterested and had no knowledge of Cardiff when seeking basic travel info for uni open day. Staff advised we could leave car with no issue while at uni, they failed say charge me £24 for it. Breakfast was not included and was very expensive for what it was. Dining room not open so squashed in bar, and breakfast not what it used to be. Beans and egg sloppy and cold. Eve of arrival happy hour and awful singer so had to go out for food when planned eat at bar. Not how it used to be at all. Overnight, room road facing. Multiple fights outside and no sleep