Mercure Holland House (Macdonald Holland House Cardiff)

Member Name: channic

Product:	Macdonald Holland House Cardiff
Date:	30/08/08 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: This hotel is really well styled and you can get a bargain

Disadvantages: Some rooms are very expensive

I have stayed at the Macdonald Holland house about three times over the past few years. Recently though it has changed to the Mercure Holland House but apart from the name there really isn't any difference.
The hotel is situated on Newport Rd in Cardiff city centre and as it is located towards the end of this road it's a great location for the city. If you were staying here you would be situated near the top end of Queen Street where Sainsbury's is located.
The Hotel is a large 16-story building with a blue tint to the windows; it has 165 en suite rooms, leisure club spa meeting rooms and underground parking. As well as having even larger suites above the 14th floor.
The hotel front has a large foyer, which is well lit and looks very impressive, especially at Christmas when they put up two very large trees on either side of the entrance.
It's an ideal location for weddings and I have seen a few there but also you can book a whole floor with many rooms in order to have a Hen/stag night, but this is extremely costly.
I have stayed in the standard rooms on the 7th floor and I thought the rooms were outstanding, with a fantastic view. The décor is modern but luxurious with brown tones. The beds are always large and the bathrooms are bright, marbled and very clean. There is a wooden wall unit which holds the tv and mini bar and looks impressive. If you stayed in a 14th floor room the view is a little further but I actually preferred the 7th floor view. I once paid the extra to stay in an executive room which was located on a corner of the 14th floor but this was a little unnerving due to the two main walls of glass looking over the city. So if you are not keen on heights you may want to request a lower floor. The other difference with the room was a little more space and a music player, which played into the bathroom as well. I don't think it was any better than a standard room so I wouldn't pay the extra again.
My sister actually stayed in one of their suites and told me it was enormous. It was the size of three or four rooms and you had sofas and chairs and a living space but this room is very expensive.
I have always managed to get a cheap rate on a Saturday night through various on line companies or even by calling the hotel direct so I would suggest shopping around.
The breakfast buffet is very nicely decorated and a chef is present to cook any special requirements but mainly you just chose from the usual buffet - full English.

Also if you stay ask for a view over the front of the building towards the city centre, as it is much better.

I have stayed in many hotels in Cardiff including the Hilton and this one was by far the best it should be a 5 star not just a 4, in my opinion.

Summary: This is a really wonderful hotel.