The location: This serviced apartment block, with one- or-two bedroom options, is housed in a grand restored Victorian townhouse in the city’s lively Pontcanna district. Set on a busy street, the apartments back almost directly onto Sophia Gardens, home of Glamorgan County Cricket Ground. Access is easy: it’s just a ten-minute taxi ride from Cardiff Central train station, ten miles from the M4 motorway and 12 miles from Cardiff International Airport.
The check-in: Arriving around 7pm on a foul night of persistent heavy rain, we appreciated the quick and seamless self- check-in. In advance of our visit, we were sent a list of instructions, which included a door code for the main entrance. Once inside, we entered another set of numbers to get our room key.
The apartment: We had a two-bedroom apartment, both of a reasonable size, the largest of the two – much larger than most hotel rooms – featuring a king-size bed, small table and TV and an en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom was smaller and had use of a bathroom immediately outside its door.
The main living area was spacious, with two couches – one of which transforms into a ‘sleeper’ – a TV with various satellite channels, large mirror, and large dining table and chairs. The kitchen was equipped with an oven, microwave and fridge, which was stocked with milk and two bottles of water. The living area features original bay windows with high ceilings and huge drop curtains.
The facilities: There’s free secure parking at the back of the apartment and internet access (charged and via a cable). In the Pontcanna district itself, there is a range of independent shops, street cafes and restaurants, plus two nearby pubs.
THE VERDICT: This is a homely, clean and functional, if unspectacular, accommodation in a good location, within easy walking distance of the city centre, railway station, Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium
THE DETAILS: 74-76 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, Wales CF11 9LN. Unlike some serviced apartments, single nights are available. For stays of between one and six nights, rates start at £137 for a one-bedroom apartment and £167 for a two-bedroom apartment. This falls to £93 and £130 respectively for stays over seven nights. www.sacoapartments.co.uk Steve Hartridge
