Citrus Hotel Cardiff, previously known as the Big Sleep Hotel, has been renovated so shiny, new bathroom fittings and comfortable furnishings. Reception staff are very helpful, and as I booked through booking.com as a regular, I had free early registration – perfect to coincide with my train arrival. You can help yourself to a fresh orange from the counter, and there is a drinks dispenser for wine, beer, soft drinks as there is no bar on site.
The hotel is in an ideal position near the main train station, Cinemaworld, Motorpoint Arena, and St David’s shopping centre, so plenty of restaurants nearby including Zizzi, Café Rouge and Frankie & Benny’s and lots of other big names. As I was staying for 5 nights, it was interesting to see what it was like for a longer stay rather than a quick stopover, so I was pleased that it was quite quiet with vague traffic noise in the background – not enough to keep me awake.
A couple of nights there was a bit of door slamming as a chap moved from one room to another at 1.30am (back to his own room maybe?!), and a touring “Elvis” show across the road in Motorpoint Arena which I was dreading, but thankfully their soundproofing system clearly works extremely well.
Around 1.5 miles to walk down to Cardiff Bay and with flat, wide paving all the way, it is easy for a wheelchair. There is a regular bus service, of course, and a train from the city centre if the distance is too long on foot.
Citrus Hotels have other locations – Cheltenham, Coventry, Eastbourne – and lots of adverts dotted about the hotel suggesting it is cheaper to book directly with them online so I may try that next time. This is a comfortable place to stay, ideal location close to all amenities, and a reasonable price at £324 for a double room for 5 nights.