ML Lodge – the hotel is right in the centre of Cardiff, round the corner from train and bus stations. You actually have to sign in to the hotel over the road, the Sandringham Hotel, as there is not reception area at ML Lodge itself. Pleasant, helpful staff, they let us leave our bags at reception until the room was ready later. But, if you can’t manage stairs, forget it. There is a flight of stairs up to reception at the Sandringham (no lift) and the room is then in the old building opposite – 26 steps as you go in, then another four lots of 13 steps up to the 3rd floor. By this time, we were ready to share my husband’s spray for chest pains and I am reasonably fit! I can’t imagine what it would be like if you had a big suitcase to haul up there. The room was adequate, with tea and coffee, hairdryer, ironing board (that attacked you every time you opened the wardrobe) a decent-sized bathroom and reasonably comfy, though creaky, bed. The water pressure and hot/cold were variable on the shower. But, it was cheap at £76 for two nights in the city centre so you really do get what you pay for. Basically, we planned our day so that we didn’t have to return to the hotel unless absolutely necessary, but it is in an excellent position to start exploring Cardiff.
