Novotel Cardiff Centre

A 4-star hotel with pool between Cardiff’s centre and bay

The Novotel Cardiff Centre is a stylish four-star hotel superbly placed in the Bute East Dock area, between Cardiff’s vibrant city centre and the scenic waterfront of Cardiff Bay. With a heated indoor pool, a full leisure suite, a restaurant and bar, and family-friendly rooms, it makes a comfortable and flexible base for a city break — whether you are here for sightseeing, shopping, an event or a relaxing weekend. It is also dog-friendly, so the family pet can come too.

Rooms and comfort

The hotel offers a range of room types, from Standard and Superior rooms to Executive rooms, Junior Suites and Suites — the larger of which sleep up to four, making it a good choice for families. Rooms are comfortable, modern and well equipped, and the hotel is entirely non-smoking and wheelchair accessible, with room service and a buffet breakfast available.

Pool, leisure and dining

A real draw is the leisure suite: a heated 15-metre indoor pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room and a gym — ideal for families and for unwinding after a day out. Dining is at “The Customs Shed” restaurant, serving local and international dishes, with a bar offering beers, wines and cocktails, and live music at times. On-site parking is available (payable) and free WiFi runs throughout.

At a glance

• Stylish 4-star hotel in the Bute East Dock area of Cardiff
• Heated 15m indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym
• “The Customs Shed” restaurant and a bar with live music
• Family rooms (Junior Suites and Suites sleep up to 4)
• On-site parking (payable); free WiFi; pets welcome
• Between the city centre and Cardiff Bay

Between the city and the bay

The location is genuinely handy: you are about an eleven-minute walk from Cardiff Central station and close to both the city centre and the regenerated Cardiff Bay waterfront. The bay’s Mermaid Quay, with its restaurants, the Wales Millennium Centre and the science-discovery centre Techniquest, is a short hop away, while Cardiff Castle, the shopping arcades and the Principality Stadium are easily reached in the other direction. For more places to stay in the city, see our guide to Cardiff accommodation.

Good to know

A hotel with a pool and full leisure facilities makes a real difference to a family city break — the children can swim and burn off energy, and everyone can unwind after a day of sightseeing without leaving the building. The position between the centre and the bay means you can explore both on foot or by a quick taxi, and the dog-friendly policy adds flexibility for those bringing a pet. Cardiff is busiest and most fun around major rugby matches and arena events, when hotels fill quickly, so it pays to book ahead for those dates. With its leisure suite, restaurant and central-yet-relaxed location, the Novotel is a dependable all-round choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a pool? Yes — a heated 15-metre indoor pool, plus a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym.

Where is it? In the Bute East Dock area, between Cardiff’s centre and the bay.

Is it good for families? Yes — Junior Suites and Suites sleep up to four, and there’s the pool and leisure suite.

Can we bring a dog? Yes — the hotel is pet-friendly.

What’s nearby? Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay, the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium.

How far is the train station? Cardiff Central station is about an eleven-minute walk away.

For a 4-star hotel with a pool between Cardiff’s centre and bay, check availability for your dates using the booking options on this page.