Stayed here for 2 nights in July. We had a room at the front of the hotel facing on to the main street. Night noise generally was ok, unfortunately on one night the local road workers decided to dig up the road with a pneumatic drill, starting at 10pm! Not the hotel's fault I know but.... The rooms had what can only be described as secondary double glazing. In between the inside glass and the outside windows were hanging grey (and I MEAN grey, almost black) net curtains. The beds were typical of every hotel I've stayed in in England (I KNOW THIS IS WALES) in that they were extelemy soft to the point where you almost got lost when you laid down on the mattress. The bathroom, although large, was in great need of refurbishment -ceiling tiles hanging down, wallpaper loose, old and dirty paintwork,. mould etc etc.
I've saved the WORST till last - breakfast. If you have the misfortune to stay here do NOT get the "full" breakfast. The fried egg is disgusting as is the bread. The bacon was only marginally heated and the sausage was overcooked. This was served by a very loud girl who kept saying "Awwwwwwww". How annoying.
Only good point is that it is cental.
Agree with other contributor about the key policy, complete pain!! You also have to negotiate a maze of corridors to find the dining room or bedroom.

This is a great value hotel in a fantastic location close to the castle and the Millenium Stadium. The town centre is just a few minutes walk away and there's plenty of places to eat and drink in the locality.
It's probably in need of a little refurbishment to be fair but the rooms are plenty big enough with clean bathroom and linen.
The breakfast is commendable - freshly cooked to order - not tired old buffet style grub.
However, what made it for us was the staff. They are exceptionally pleasant and welcoming. I'd stay here again.

My husband and I were with a coach party for the rugby league weekend. The hotel was slap bang in the middle of everything, the room was a little in need of modernising but spotlessly clean and even had a trouser press,not needed for the shorts.........there is a bar and restaurant downstairs with good food. beds were comfy, shower powerful, plenty of hot water.Only one downsideit was very hot and we could not open the window, there was a fan but it was a bit noisy.

The best bit was the breakfast, everything you could ever want with the friendliest staff ever,we shall definitely be back next year.

The hotel is old and in desperate need of refurbishment. The location is very good, and there are lots of excellent places to eat within walking distance, (especially the Spice Quarter in the Brewery Quarter).
My room was clean, the bathroom was large, but it was all pretty shabby. There is a steep winding staircase to negotiate, so if you have any mobility issues, you should not stay here, even the reception is on the first floor and there is no lift.
What did concern me was that every time you leave the hotel as a previous poster has said, you have to give your key in to the reception. As a woman travelling alone, I did not like having to say my room number out loud to get my key each time - especially as you do not know who is listening as the reception is open to the floor below.
I had a room at the back of the hotel which was quiet but I could not close the window and was concerned as there is a roof at the back which someone could climb. I had to ask the night staff to come and close it for me as it was an old sash style window which appeared to have stuck.
The shower wasn't much more than a trickle and it took a long time to use as it had 2 temperatures- scalding and freezing. The shower curtain smelled of cigarette smoke although it was a non smoking room.
When I got out of bed and put my feet on the floor all I could feel was something shiny and slightly sticky- when I looked it was an ancient smooth patch of black chewing gum.
If you want a newspaper the hotel guide says give 12 hours' notice - not much use when you are staying one night!
Although breakfast was included in my rate, I did not feel like eating in the hotel so checked out and went to Starbucks a short distance away.
There are lots of other hotels in Cardiff, I would not return to this one.