Where:
Bute Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 2FE
The reason i decided to book a room at the Big Sleep Hotel in Cardiff was that my boyfriend and i had tickets to see the Sterophonics in the CIA and this hotel was located opposite the building. I'd heard this hotel to be innovative and very trendy whilst being very cheap. So i booked.

Booking:
I Booked online at http://www.thebigsleephotel.com.
The booking form was very easy to use and it took no time to book myself in.

Arrival:
We drove to the hotel which is quite difficult to find if you do not know the area very well. cardiff is notoriously difficult to dive around due to its many one-way streets. But we found it eventually, (the website contains a print out map to help you find it). It may be useful to note that the hotel is only a minute walk from the train station and only 13miles from the airport.

Car Park:
The hotel claims to have carparking but in fact its car park can only hold up to twenty cars, which was dissapointing. However the hotel suggests you park in the multi-storey car park around the corner and they will refund you for any costs you incurr which was a relief as it is quite expensive to park in cardiff city center. However they will only do this witha particular car park and so you will have to wait for a space on busy days. also its a bit of a pain to have to pay to park then drive back to the hotel to be refunded. When i check out of a hotel i dont usually intend to go back straighaway.

Location:
Situated on a busy road but has plenty of light crossings. This hotel is very close to the Millenium Stadium, CIA and Cineworld and Vue cinemas. This hotel is also very close to the main shopping area situatated around Queen street and all the clubs, pubs and wine bars around Mary Street.

Appearance:
*Outside: The hotel looks pretty standard from the outside, i understand that it used to be a block of offices, but the Big Sleep sign is clearly visable.
*Inside: The bright use of colours will dazzle you but - in a good way this hotel looks very trendy and attention to detail is paramount, for example orchids on side table and beautiful paintings in the hallways.
*Room: Okay i booked a standard room but i was quite dissapointed. the room did not reflect the innovative design and style of the lobby and hallways. The room had a suspended ceiling and strip flourescent lighting which made me feel as though i was just sleeping in an office room with a bed. The decor was plain and the furniture was really cheap looking double bed, wardrobe, desk and tv- thats it. The bathroom was pretty standard the bath was too small to lie down in though. All in all i was let down by the room but it was clean and fresh- i suppose you get what you pay for. The one thing i loved about my room was the huge officestyle window which provided fabulous views over Cardiff.

Resturant:
My package included bed and breakfast (which ended at 8am, far too early). The resturant consited of a small room which plastic colourful furniture. The breakfast was below standard; just cereals (not branded) and toast with Jam. All in all it was okay and an added bonus fr the price.

Bar:
The hotel included a small bar on the ground floor which was okay, more of a lounge area with a small bar it closed at 11pm.

Rates:
Budget Rooms range from £45 and Family Budget from £50 per night which is an excellent rate for a hotel located in the center of city. This hotel also has Executive and penthouse suites in which prices start from £99 per night which is still pretty good.

Offers:
Check the website for daily offers which include exursion packages, discounted rate room and meal options.

Awards:
*The Big Sleep Hotel was voted 1 of 25 coolest hotels in the World! by Conde Nast Traveller magazine - May 2001, the other 24 winners were 4-5 Star Hotels in locations such as Marrakech, Rome, Udaipur and St Tropez.
*The Big Sleep Hotel was also 1 of only 3 British hotels featured in Herbert Ypma's book, Hip Hotel - Budget.
*The Which? Hotel Guide, 2003 Edition - one of 30 favourite places to stay, special feature.

Recommendation:
This was a funky yet cheap hotel that was good for a stay over. It isn't the highest quality but it serves as a good, fun hotel. I'd reccomend this hotel to thses looking for a cheap hotel to stay at in central Cardiff, however if your used to chocolates on your pillow and complimentry toiletries then this is not for you.