The roar that went up from Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium when Wales clinched victory in the 2005 Six Nations rugby championship – their first grand slam since 1978 – seems to still echo around the city today. The Welsh team’s return to form gave a massive boost to national confidence, a feeling reflected in the optimistic buzz that makes Cardiff such an appealing place to visit.
Cardiff was shaped in the 19th century by the world’s richest man – John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, third marquess of Bute – whose architectural legacy ranges from the colourful kitsch of Cardiff Castle to the neoclassical elegance of the Civic Centre. But the 21st century is making its presence felt as the sprawling docks that generated the Bute fortune continue their transformation into the glitzy waterfront development of Cardiff Bay, centred on the futuristic flourishes of the Wales Millennium Centre and the Welsh Assembly Building.
There’s plenty to explore in the city itself, but one of Cardiff’s great attractions is the ease with which you can escape the urban clamour: vast acres of parkland stretch north from the castle’s doorstep to the bucolic setting of Llandaff Cathedral, and the Taff Trail cycle route follows a leafy river bank to the fairy-tale setting of Castell Coch.
A short day trip by bus or train will take you to the old-fashioned seaside suburb of Penarth, the gritty industrial heritage of a rapidly regenerating Newport, or the magnificent medieval fortress and cheese capital of Caerphilly.
Hotels
Hilton Cardiff

Central Cardiff's five-star is housed in a new circular building that was built in the traditional style of pale stone, with views over the castle. The rooms are plush and comfortable, there's a lovely pool and a spa, and excellent cooking at Razzi. Only doubles are available at the weekend.
Expedia Description
Location. Hilton Cardiff is located near the beach in Cardiff and close to Queen Arcade, Bute Park, and Cardiff Castle. Additional points of interest include Cardiff City Hall and Cardiff International Arena. Hotel Features. Dining options at Hilton Cardiff include a restaurant and a coffee shop/café. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, a sauna, a fitness facility, and a steam room. Spa amenities include massage/treatment rooms, beauty services, and a hair salon. This 5.0-star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, a meeting/conference room, and secretarial services. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) is available in public areas. This Cardiff property has event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Business services, wedding services, concierge services, and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is limited, and available on a limited first-come, first-served basis (surcharge). Additional property amenities include valet parking, a concierge desk, and multilingual staff. Guestrooms. Air-conditioned guestrooms at Hilton Cardiff feature minibars and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers and hair dryers. High-speed Internet access is available. In addition to desks and fax machines, guestrooms offer multi-line phones with voice mail. 32-inch flat-panel televisions have cable channels, video-game consoles, and pay movies. Rooms also include safes and complimentary newspapers. Guests may request in-room massages and wake-up calls. Guestrooms are all non-smoking. Notifications and Fees:There are no room charges for children 17 years old and younger who occupy the same room as their parents or guardians, using existing bedding. The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out. Valet parking: GBP 17 per day The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Source:
cardiffconference.com
Hilton Cardiff
Kingsway, Cardiff, United Kingdom CF10 3HH
Tel: +44-2920-646-300 Fax: +44-2920-646-350
Copthorne Hotel Cardiff Caerdydd
Welsh Life and Victoria Park. Other area points of interest include Llandaff Cathedral and Millennium Stadium. Hotel Features. Copthorne Hotel Cardiff Caerdydd's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a health club, a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness facility. The property's full-service health spa has body treatments, massage/treatment rooms, and beauty services. This 4.0-star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, a meeting/conference room, and secretarial services. Wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas (surcharges apply). This Cardiff property has event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. Wedding services and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include a rooftop terrace, a coffee shop/café, and a concierge desk. This is a smoke-free property. Guestrooms. All guestrooms at Copthorne Hotel Cardiff Caerdydd feature coffee/tea makers and safes. Accommodations offer lake views. All rooms include separate sitting areas. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. In addition to fax machines and complimentary newspapers, guestrooms offer direct-dial phones. Televisions have premium cable channels and pay movies. Also included are windows that open and welcome amenities. Guests may request in-room massages and wake-up calls.
Copthorne Way
Culverhouse Cross
Cardiff Caerdydd
CF5 6DH
United Kingdom
Sights in Wales
Transport Wales