🇬🇧 Cardiff, United Kingdom
The Riverhouse
📍 59 Fitzhamon Embankment, CF11 6AN
Photo: official website
tu estancia — The Riverhouse
Pronóstico en vivo para sus fechas · qué hay en · Calidad del aire y polen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cardiff.
La propiedad — The Riverhouse
The Riverhouse is a tidy three-star just east of Cardiff's centre, all low-key practicality and views over the Taff. The lobby is small, clean and unpretentious — a carpeted reception with a settee, a tray of leaflets, and a door that opens onto a riverside path. It suits travellers who want a solid, quiet base within walking distance of the stadium and the castle, and who don't need frills.
Crónicas de Cardiff
Cardiff grew from a Roman fort into the world's biggest coal-exporting port by the 1900s, its docks crammed with steamers. The Victorian-era civic centre — Cathays Park — is a stone ensemble of white Portland stone buildings that replaced the medieval slums. After the coal crash, the city reinvented itself as a devolved capital, with the Senedd (2006) and the Wales Millennium Centre anchoring a revived Bay. Today it's a compact, bilingual city where rugby matches still outdraw everything else.
El mejor momento para visitar
Guía completa de Cardiff →Los mejores meses
May–June: warm (17–20°C), long evenings, and the crowds haven't peaked. September also works – good weather but quieter after summer holidays.
Peak / Festival Surge
July–August and December. July sees the National Eisteddfod (moves location yearly) and summer festivals; August's Pride is big. Hotel prices can jump 40–80% on match weekends or major events at the Principality Stadium.
La temporada del hombro
April and October: prices drop 20–30%, temperatures hover 12–15°C, and you get the city without the queue for the castle keep.
Tiempo y embalaje
Cardiff's climate is famously wet but mild — no extremes of heat or cold. Pack a waterproof jacket (not an umbrella; it gets windy) and a mid-layer: even July can deliver a cool evening or a sudden shower.
Briefing en vivo de la ciudad — Cardiff
- Cardiff Bus has extended the free City Circle service (routes 6/6A) through summer 2026, covering the station, Bay, and city centre — useful for reaching The Riverhouse without a taxi.
- The new 'Taff Promenade' cycle and walking link between the hotel's riverside path and Bute Park is fully open, making a traffic-free route to the castle and university.
- Prince of Wales pub on St Mary Street reopens after a refurb in spring 2026, known locally for its cheap pints and pre-match atmosphere — expect busy weekends.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Riverhouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms ending in 04-08 on floors 3-5, facing the River Taff side (south-west). These offer quieter positions away from Fitzhamon Embankment traffic and a view of the river and County Hall. Higher floors (4-5) reduce street-level pub noise from The Corporation bar on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 and any room ending in 01-03 facing Fitzhamon Embankment. These suffer direct traffic noise from the dual carriageway, especially during rush hour. A50-A55 rooms near the lift shaft also get elevator clatter.
Best views
South-west facing rooms (towards River Taff) offer the best view of the river and County Hall. Avoid north-east facing rooms that look at the office block opposite. River-facing rooms on floors 3-5 get sunset light and seagulls, but no constant drone.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are quietest. The building has 6 floors, so these are above street-level disturbance and below the roof plant machinery.
🔊 Noise notes
Fitzhamon Embankment is a busy A-road (A4161) for Cardiff Bay traffic – expect constant drone from floor 2 and below. The downstairs bar (The Corporation) has live music Thurs-Sat until 23:00, audible in east-facing rooms. Early morning bin collection outside the hotel entrance at 06:30 on weekdays.
Insider tips
1) Free parking is limited – arrive before 15:00 or use the NCP car park on Fitzhamon Embankment (£8/day). 2) Request a kettle in your room at booking – some rooms lack them and the front desk charges for in-room tea/coffee. 3) If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs for the lift noise – it's a 1970s concrete hotel with thin walls.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Instalaciones hoteleras — The Riverhouse
Free basic 15 Mbps for all guests (no login, just accept terms). Premium 50 Mbps available at £5/day via voucher from reception.
Single lift serves all four floors (guest rooms and ground-floor lobby/bar). No stairs-only sections.
Free digital access to PressReader (30+ newspapers) via hotel iPads in lobby; no physical papers delivered. Building is a converted 19th-century river warehouse – original exposed brick and wooden beams in bar area.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop from 10:00 at front desk (free). Late check-out until 12:00 on request (no charge); after 12:00 £30 until 14:00, subject to availability
Free same-day storage at reception (no tag/locker system, just behind desk). Not available for overnight.
Step-free access from street via ramp at side entrance (call ahead to unlock). Main door has 3cm lip. Lift is 75cm wide (wheelchair accessible). No adapted bathrooms or grab rails in standard rooms.
On-site car park (14 spaces) £12/night, first-come first-served (no booking). Nearest public car park is Fitzhamon Q-Park, 200m away, £18/24hrs. No EV charging points.
Tarifas, Impuestos y Depósitos
City / tourist tax: None (no tourist tax in Cardiff for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; £50 pre-authorisation hold on credit card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary cerca de
- Gurdwara: Sai Dasmais Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Bhatra Sikh Centre (364 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: The City Temple (476 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Shiloh Pentecostal Fellowship (540 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Rabbaniah Islamic Cultural Centre (555 m · ~7 min walk)
Estilo de vida y recreación local
Stadium Plaza — 405 m · ~5 min walk
Despenser Gardens — 221 m · ~3 min walk
Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier — 656 m · ~8 min walk
Millennium Music Hall — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Parc Mackenzie Playground — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5 minutos de radio esenciales
Nearest — 311 m · ~4 min walk
Boots — 605 m · ~8 min walk
Al Islah Foods — 282 m · ~4 min walk
City Centre Water Bus Stop — 435 m · ~5 min walk
Dinero y moneda
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at Cardiff Central station or the airport as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard contactless widely accepted; Amex less common. Mobile pay works in most shops, cafés, and pubs.
Not expected. Round up the cab fare or leave small change (5-10%) in restaurants if service is good. Tipping for hotel staff is rare.
Comer, comprar y viajar en un presupuesto
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or an americano from any café, about £2.50-£3.00.
A sandwich or panini from a grocery or bakery, around £4-£6, or a supermarket meal deal at £3.50-£4.00.
A main course at a pub or chain restaurant, £10-£14.
Cardiff Market (indoors) has stalls for pasties, curries, and wraps; street food vans appear at the Riverside Market on weekends.
Tesco, Sainsbury's Local, and Lidl are all within CF11. Aldi is a bit further but cheaper.
Primark, New Look, and charity shops on Cowbridge Road East for low-cost basics.
Day bus pass £5.50 on Cardiff Bus app; from the airport take the T9 bus (about £8 one-way, faster than the train combo).
Buy a refillable coffee cup for discounts at many cafés. Walk between most city centre points in CF11 – it's flat and compact. Eat lunch specials before 2pm at pubs for lower prices.
bueno saber — Cardiff
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
CardiffFor police, fire, or ambulance in Cardiff, dial 999. For non-urgent police matters, call 101. For medical advice, call NHS 111. The local police force is South Wales Police.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cardiff, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Riverhouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 311 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Boots — 605 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →En torno a
Find train tickets →Cardiff Airport (CWL) → Leonardo Hotel Cardiff (City Centre)
💡 Book in advance through your hotel concierge for better rates; avoid peak times (8-9am, 5-6pm)
Cardiff City Centre → Various attractions (local transit)
💡 Excellent for exploring city; Day Rover covers unlimited city centre travel; Leonardo is on the main bus circuit
Cardiff Airport Station → Cardiff Central Station (then walk to hotel)
💡 Direct connection available; train is fastest option; hotel is 10-minute walk from Central Station
Cardiff Airport → Cardiff City Centre (Central Station)
💡 Most economical option; Leonardo Hotel is 5-minute walk from Central Station; buy tickets on board
Sobre Cardiff
Wikipedia ↗
Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of 383,919 in 2024 and forms a principal area officially known as the City and County of Cardiff (Welsh: Dinas a Sir Caerdydd). The city is the eleventh largest in the United Kingdom. Located in the southeast of Wales and in ...
Preguntas frecuentes
What are the best rooms at The Riverhouse?
Request rooms ending in 04-08 on floors 3-5, facing the River Taff side (south-west). These offer quieter positions away from Fitzhamon Embankment traffic and a view of the river and County Hall. Higher floors (4-5) reduce street-level pub noise from The Corporation bar on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Riverhouse?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 and any room ending in 01-03 facing Fitzhamon Embankment. These suffer direct traffic noise from the dual carriageway, especially during rush hour. A50-A55 rooms near the lift shaft also get elevator clatter.
Is The Riverhouse noisy?
Fitzhamon Embankment is a busy A-road (A4161) for Cardiff Bay traffic – expect constant drone from floor 2 and below. The downstairs bar (The Corporation) has live music Thurs-Sat until 23:00, audible in east-facing rooms. Early morning bin collection outside the hotel entrance at 06:30 on weekdays.
Which rooms have the best views at The Riverhouse?
South-west facing rooms (towards River Taff) offer the best view of the river and County Hall. Avoid north-east facing rooms that look at the office block opposite. River-facing rooms on floors 3-5 get sunset light and seagulls, but no constant drone.
What are insider tips for staying at The Riverhouse?
1) Free parking is limited – arrive before 15:00 or use the NCP car park on Fitzhamon Embankment (£8/day). 2) Request a kettle in your room at booking – some rooms lack them and the front desk charges for in-room tea/coffee. 3) If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs for the lift noise – it's a 1970s concrete hotel with thin walls.
What time is check-in at The Riverhouse?
Check-in at The Riverhouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Riverhouse have Wi-Fi?
Free basic 15 Mbps for all guests (no login, just accept terms). Premium 50 Mbps available at £5/day via voucher from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Riverhouse?
None (no tourist tax in Cardiff for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near The Riverhouse?
A sandwich or panini from a grocery or bakery, around £4-£6, or a supermarket meal deal at £3.50-£4.00.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Riverhouse?
Day bus pass £5.50 on Cardiff Bus app; from the airport take the T9 bus (about £8 one-way, faster than the train combo).
When is the best time to visit Cardiff?
May–June: warm (17–20°C), long evenings, and the crowds haven't peaked. September also works – good weather but quieter after summer holidays.
Principales atracciones en Cardiff
💡 The rooftop café has views over the civic centre and is usually quieter than the ground-floor one.
💡 Enter through the gate by Cardiff Castle for the best route; the Secret Garden cafe near the north entrance does good parkin cake.
💡 Tuesday afternoons the gallery often has artist talks. The cinema matinee tickets are £5 (cash only) before 5pm.
💡 Walk from the city centre via the Taff Trail path – takes about 20 minutes and passes the 17th-century Blackweir weir.
💡 Arrive when gates open at 10am to see the blacksmith light his forge; the cockle-picking shed on the lake has free tasters of Welsh laverbread on some weekends.