Pros
- Simple hotel provides a solid value
- Short walk from a shopping complex and Cardiff Bay station
- Rooms are relatively spacious with flat-screen TVs and desks
- Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and Sunday roasts
- Room service available most of the day
- Freebies include Wi-Fi and parking
Cons
- Very basic toiletries in the rooms
- Many rooms receive some traffic noise
- Decor is bland
- No gym (but hotel does provide free passes to one nearby)
Bottom Line
Future Inn Cardiff Bay is a simple, mid-to-budget level chain hotel located in the newly developed Cardiff Bay area of the Welsh capital. Although the immediate area is mostly roads and apartment blocks, there's plenty within walking distance and the city center is a short cab away. Rooms are generally spacious and equipped with flat-screen TVs and desks, although some are prone to traffic noise and decor is bland. Free fast Wi-Fi and on-site parking are bonuses, and overall, if the location isn't a problem, it's generally a solid value. Premier Inn, Travelodge, and Holiday Inn, however, also all provide stiff local competition.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Fitness Center
- Internet
Scene
Simple hotel with unpretentious, chain-style vibe
Fronted by a striking metal sculpture that alludes to the area's industrial past, the Future Inn Cardiff Bay itself is certainly more a symbol of its 21st-century rebirth. Although not the most impressive piece of architecture, the hotel is unfussy and functional, with a contemporary (enough) vibe. Interiors are modern and unpretentious; swathes of lightwood paneling and simple furniture borders on Ikea-like style. A bright polished lobby area extends to the ground floor bar-restaurant that overlooks the hotel's parking lot, and guests are never too far from the muffled swish of passing traffic outside. Although the vibe feels like that of a corporate chain hotel, clientele include a mixture of business guests during the week and leisure visitors on the weekend.
Location
Set in newly-developed Cardiff Bay, a five minutes' drive from the center
The hotel is situated in one of the newly developed and rejuvenated areas of Cardiff Docks, surrounded by A-roads and residential new-builds. Because of the recent and sometimes patchy development of the locale it sits somewhat uncomfortably between Cardiff Bay waterfront and the retail heart of Cardiff city center just to the north. There is the Red Dragon shopping center mall right next door, however, and Cardiff Bay train station is a few minutes' walk away. The city center is a five-minute cab journey away.
Rooms
Unfussy rooms with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi -- though some traffic noise
The hotel has 197 air-conditioned rooms, all of which are decorated in smart, simple styling with thick carpeted floors, plum tones, and natural wood furnishings. Amenities are what you'd expect for this level of hotel, with tea/coffee facilities, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers, while decent Wi-Fi is also free of charge in all rooms. Although free bottled water is provided, rooms lack minibars and fridges. Bathrooms are basic but mostly clean and well-maintained with simple toiletries. While rooms are double-glazed and most are elevated from the traffic, some degree of traffic noise can be heard inmany.
Features
Bar and restaurant open throughout the day and free on-site parking
The hotel's ground-floor restaurant serves a buffet breakfast each morning (not generally included in the rates) as well as a menu of British cooking with some traditional Welsh touches for lunch and dinner. A Sunday roast is also served with kids' portions and unlimited helpings, while room service is available throughout the day. While the bar doesn't have much in the way of atmosphere, a good selection of drinks are served into the evening. Both Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free of charge, and guests have free access to fitness facilities a short walk away.
Related Hotels
Scene
Simple hotel with unpretentious, chain-style vibe
Fronted by a striking metal sculpture that alludes to the area's industrial past, the Future Inn Cardiff Bay itself is certainly more a symbol of its 21st-century rebirth. Although not the most impressive piece of architecture, the hotel is unfussy and functional, with a contemporary (enough) vibe. Interiors are modern and unpretentious; swathes of lightwood paneling and simple furniture borders on Ikea-like style. A bright polished lobby area extends to the ground floor bar-restaurant that overlooks the hotel's parking lot, and guests are never too far from the muffled swish of passing traffic outside. Although the vibe feels like that of a corporate chain hotel, clientele include a mixture of business guests during the week and leisure visitors on the weekend.
Location
Set in newly-developed Cardiff Bay, a five minutes' drive from the center
The hotel is situated in one of the newly developed and rejuvenated areas of Cardiff Docks, surrounded by A-roads and residential new-builds. Because of the recent and sometimes patchy development of the locale it sits somewhat uncomfortably between Cardiff Bay waterfront and the retail heart of Cardiff city center just to the north. There is the Red Dragon shopping center mall right next door, however, and Cardiff Bay train station is a few minutes' walk away. The city center is a five-minute cab journey away.
Rooms
Unfussy rooms with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi -- though some traffic noise
The hotel has 197 air-conditioned rooms, all of which are decorated in smart, simple styling with thick carpeted floors, plum tones, and natural wood furnishings. Amenities are what you'd expect for this level of hotel, with tea/coffee facilities, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers, while decent Wi-Fi is also free of charge in all rooms. Although free bottled water is provided, rooms lack minibars and fridges. Bathrooms are basic but mostly clean and well-maintained with simple toiletries. While rooms are double-glazed and most are elevated from the traffic, some degree of traffic noise can be heard inmany.
Features
Bar and restaurant open throughout the day and free on-site parking
The hotel's ground-floor restaurant serves a buffet breakfast each morning (not generally included in the rates) as well as a menu of British cooking with some traditional Welsh touches for lunch and dinner. A Sunday roast is also served with kids' portions and unlimited helpings, while room service is available throughout the day. While the bar doesn't have much in the way of atmosphere, a good selection of drinks are served into the evening. Both Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free of charge, and guests have free access to fitness facilities a short walk away.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
-
Business Center
-
Cabanas
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Cable
-
Fitness Center
-
Internet
-
Kids Allowed
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Laundry
-
Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Room Service
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Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
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Swim-Up Bar
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Tennis Court
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
