Cardiff's hotel scene delivers serious capacity when you need it. The Mercure Cardiff Holland House leads with its Calon Suite accommodating 700 theatre-style, making it Wales' largest hotel conference facility. The Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff Bay offers the historic Grand Hall for up to 500, whilst voco St. David's Dylan Thomas Suite handles 400 delegates with those spectacular bay views. For city centre options, both the Hilton Cardiff and Cardiff Marriott can host 350-400 in their main ballrooms. These spaces regularly host everything from medical conferences to tech summits, with most offering partition options to create multiple breakout zones.
Cardiff's competitive pricing makes it attractive for UK-wide events. Day Delegate Rates start from £30 at voco St. David's for their Lite package, whilst Future Inns Cardiff Bay offers full DDR from £36.95 including parking. City centre properties like the Radisson Blu and Hilton Cardiff typically charge £45-70 per delegate. For smaller spaces, room hire alone ranges from £50 for a basic boardroom at Clayton Hotel to £6,000+ for grand ballrooms at peak times. The sweet spot for value sits around £40-50 DDR, getting you quality catering, AV basics and often some nice perks like spa access or parking.
Location matters when delegates are travelling from across the UK. Clayton Hotel Cardiff wins for proximity, just 2-3 minutes from Cardiff Central Station. The Cardiff Marriott on Mill Lane and Radisson Blu at Meridian Gate both sit within 5 minutes' walk. For those driving, Village Hotel Cardiff near Junction 32 of the M4 offers 380-capacity meeting space with abundant parking. Future Inns Cardiff Bay combines free parking with a 5-minute stroll to Cardiff Bay station. Most city centre hotels connect to both Cardiff Central and Queen Street stations within 10 minutes on foot, crucial for London Paddington arrivals.
Beyond standard conference facilities, Cardiff hotels pack some surprising extras. The Parkgate Hotel's Postmaster Suite occupies a beautifully restored Victorian post office with original features intact. Park Plaza Cardiff pairs meeting rooms with an on-site Laguna Health & Spa for post-meeting relaxation. The Hilton Cardiff's ballroom sits beneath a dramatic seven-storey atrium flooding the space with natural light. voco St. David's promotes 'Meeting for Good' packages supporting local charities. For something different, Hotel Indigo's rooftop at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse offers exclusive hire combining meetings with panoramic city views.
Multi-track events find their home in Cardiff's larger properties. Mercure Cardiff Holland House operates 14-15 rooms across dedicated conference floors, perfect for conferences needing simultaneous sessions. Village Hotel Cardiff provides 13 spaces centred around their Inspiration Suite, with a communal break-out hub keeping delegates connected. The Cardiff Marriott offers 10 rooms totalling 542 sqm, whilst Leonardo Hotel Cardiff manages nine spaces mixing heritage boardrooms with modern suites. These hotels excel at assessment centres, training academies and conferences where different departments need separate spaces whilst maintaining event cohesion.
Cardiff Bay's regeneration created a cluster of waterfront meeting hotels. voco St. David's leads with the Dylan Thomas and Roald Dahl Suites offering bay views for up to 400 delegates. The historic Coal Exchange Hotel on Mount Stuart Square brings Victorian grandeur with its Exchange Grand Hall. Future Inns Cardiff Bay provides eight practical rooms with free parking, whilst Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay covers smaller meetings with two 20-person spaces. The area works brilliantly for companies wanting to combine meetings with waterfront dining or team activities around the barrage and Mermaid Quay.
Not every meeting needs a conference centre. Hotel Indigo Cardiff near Queen Street offers an intimate 10-person boardroom with boutique design touches throughout. The Royal Hotel's Captain Scott Room accommodates up to 130 in heritage surroundings on St Mary Street. Park Plaza Cardiff blends boutique style with practicality across 11 rooms, the largest holding 160. Staybridge Suites' 'The Den' creates a homely atmosphere for 10-person board meetings. These smaller venues excel for executive retreats, client entertainment and high-stakes negotiations where atmosphere matters as much as AV specs.
Multi-day events benefit from Cardiff's strong residential meeting offerings. Future Inns Cardiff Bay quotes 24-hour packages from £154pp including accommodation, whilst Village Hotel Cardiff starts at £144pp for overnight delegates. The Leonardo Hotel promotes 24-hour rates from £120pp at their Park Place property. Most major chains like Hilton, Marriott and Mercure create bespoke residential packages combining meeting space, meals and bedrooms. The city centre concentration means delegates can walk between hotel, meetings and evening entertainment, particularly valuable for team-building events and extended training programmes.
Successful training demands the right environment and Cardiff delivers options across all budgets. Clayton Hotel Cardiff designed their seven-room meetings floor specifically for training, complete with 'wireless waiter' call buttons and built-in AV. Village Hotel Cardiff's 13 rooms clustered around a break-out hub suit multi-day academies. Novotel Cardiff Centre's Warehouse space accommodates 200 for large-scale training whilst smaller rooms handle breakout sessions. Holiday Inn Cardiff City's Academy-style conference centre opposite the castle provides 10-11 flexible spaces. For value, Future Inns Cardiff Bay combines competitive DDRs with abundant natural light across eight rooms.
Parking can make or break delegate satisfaction. Future Inns Cardiff Bay includes free parking in their packages, a major draw for drive-in meetings. Village Hotel Cardiff near the M4 offers extensive parking as part of their suburban advantage. Mercure Cardiff North on the A48 corridor provides large car parks ideal for regional meetings. City centre hotels typically charge £10-20 daily, though some include parking in DDR packages. The Hilton, Marriott and Radisson Blu all offer on-site or nearby NCP arrangements. For pure convenience, New House Country Hotel and Manor Parc Hotel in Thornhill provide ample free parking with their countryside settings.