Hilton International

The Welsh capital may not rank among the UK’s ten most populous cities but when it comes to meeting facilities Cardiff punches well above its weight, says Tim Ware

CARDIFF may be the capital of Wales and one of Europe’s fastest growing metropolises, but it has only enjoyed city status for just over 100 years. The place which gave the world talented divas like Shirley Bassey and Charlotte Church, not to mention countless international rugby players and Terry Nation – creator of Dr Who’s arch enemies, the Daleks – only came into its own at the end of the 18th century when the lord of the manor, the Earl of Bute, built  the Glamorganshire Canal. The idea was to link the then fishing village with the coalfields of Merthyr Tydfil, a few miles to the north.

The rest, as they say, is history: in 1913 Cardiff was the world’s largest coal port, exporting ten million tonnes. The city went into decline in the 1970s and 1980s, but has been revived through the thriving Cardiff Bay waterside development project – shops and apartments, bars and restaurants. The setting up of the Welsh National Assembly here in 1999 added impetus, with many government, business and media organisations subsequently establishing a foothold.

Wow Factor
Name: Park Plaza
Address: Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AL
Tel: 029 2011 1111
Email: ppcres@parkplazahotels.co.uk
Web: www.parkplaza.com/cardiffuk

Park Plaza’s sleek lines and fine food and service have won it the AA Hotel of the Year award for Wales. It has a great position in the centre of the city, close to Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium, and everything the meeting planner needs for a comfortable stay: good facilities and comfortable and well furnished bedrooms. There are nine meeting rooms and one large function room and, when work is done, opportunities to unwind in the Laguna Spa, which has a pool, Jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as eight massage and treatment rooms.

Quirky Venue
Name: Cardiff Castle
Address: Havannah Street, Cardiff, CF10 5SD
Tel: 029 2045 4045
Email: cardiffcastle@cardiff.gov.uk
Web: www.cardiffcastle.com

The 11th century castle is a luxury venue right at the geographical and historical heart of the city. The castle has paid host to royalty (George V, the present Queen, Prince Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, are among those who have been entertained here). Rooms glisten with jewels and precious stones and the Banqueting Hall can accommodate up to 150 people for drinks. Smaller events can be held in the Drawing Room, Library and Guest Tower Rooms, a self contained exclusive suite of rooms for up to 40 people. The castle re-opens after restoration work in March.

Money No Object
Name: St David’s Hotel
Address: Havannah Street, Cardiff, CF10 5SD
Tel: 029 2045 4045
Email: enquiries@principal-hotels.com
Web: www.thestdavidshotel.com

Right on the waterfront, this hotel of distinctive clean lines is Cardiff’s most luxurious.  Everything about it oozes style: the bedrooms are large, the décor understated and, as a bonus, the views over Cardiff Bay are to die for.  There are extensive meeting facilities, whether the need is for a small team-building session

or a 1,000-delegate event. Meeting rooms are equipped to a high standard with the latest technological equipment, offering interactive screens and the latest in broadband intertouch technology. In Tides restaurant, the food matches the views over the bay (try seared scallops with sweet chilli dressing) and when work is done you can ease away the calories
in the hotel’s spa, which has a pool, 14 treatment rooms, two hydrotherapy pools,
a sauna and gym.

New Kid on the Block
Name: The Parc Hotel by Thistle
Address: Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3UD
Tel: 0871 376 9011
Email: cardiff@thistle.co.uk
Web: www.thistlehotels.com

Strictly speaking, it's an old kid revitalised.

The hotel, with its impressive French-styled façade, has been a distinctive landmark in the central area of the city for many years now. The position is superb: it is close to both Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Centre and has easy access to Cardiff Bay. The hotel is due to re-open this spring after a year-long refurbishment programme. The results should please meeting planners: all of the 140 bedrooms have been totally modernised, as have the eight meeting rooms, the largest of which seats up to 300 theatre-style. There are a number of dining and entertaining options and, for out-of-business hours, beauty treatment rooms and a gym.

On a Shoestring
Name: Future Inn, Cardiff Bay
Address: Hemingway Road, Cardiff, CF10 4JY
Tel: 0845 094 5487
Email: sales.cardiff@futureinns.co.uk
Web: www.futureinns.co.uk/cardiff-overview.htm

Canadian entrepreneurs Bruce and Del Brett have extended their successful Nova Scotia hotel model to the UK. The modern building overlooking Cardiff Bay offers comfort, convenience and value. The 197 rooms are furnished simply but stylishly and come complete with one or two features you might not expect to find in a budget hotel, such as free internet access and free local telephone calls. The seven meeting rooms are all on the ground floor, with the largest accommodating 180 theatre-style and 140 for dinner. 

Wired Up
Name: Hilton International
Address: Kingsway, Cardiff, CF10 3HH
Tel: 029 2064 633
Email: reservations.Cardiff@hilton.com
Web: www.hilton.co.uk/cardiff

The 197-room Hilton is the largest city centre hotel, supremely comfortable and at the cutting edge technologically. All rooms are wired for speedy internet access, but also come complete with all the usual creature comforts. Seven meeting and conference rooms are available (the largest accommodating 350 people) and the hotel’s business centre provides IT equipment – including a projector and a scanner – a courier service, ISDN lines and broadband services. Outside business hours, there’s a health centre with gym and pool, modern Welsh cuisine can be sampled in the Razzi restaurant and tapas and speciality cocktails in the bar.

Small but Perfectly Formed
Name: Jolyon’s Boutique Hotel
Address: Bute Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 5AN
Tel: 029 2048 8775
Email: info@jolyons.co.uk
Web: www.jolyons.co.uk

If you’re after personal service, look no further. There are only six rooms, but they are well furnished in contemporary style and enhanced by antique pieces. There is a small meeting room on the first floor which has wifi internet access and comes complete with a real log fire, a bonus in winter when cruel winds are blowing in off the bay. The hotel’s Bar Cwtch – Welsh for ‘cosy’ – can be hired out during the day for meetings.

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