Showing posts with label Wales 2026. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wales 2026. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales

Gord and I spent the last week at the Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay and I would not recommend this hotel.


We booked and paid for our vacation in January. At approximately $368 per night, the hotel was neither the most expensive nor the least expensive option available. One of the reasons we selected it was because a complimentary breakfast was included.

Upon arrival, we were surprised to discover that our room had two single beds rather than one larger bed. I immediately contacted the front desk to request a room change but was informed that the hotel was fully booked and no alternative rooms were available. A larger bed would have been preferrable but it wasn't a big deal.


The room itself was uncomfortably warm and stuffy the whole time. Although the window could be opened slightly, it provided very little ventilation. There appeared to be an air conditioning unit in the room and an air exchanger above the door so I contacted Reception for instructions on how to operate them. I was surprised to learn that neither unit was functional. I again requested a room change but was told this was not possible. The hotel did offer a fan, which we accepted the next day.

Unfortunately, the room never cooled down, even during the night. Both of us experienced restless, uncomfortable sleeps due to the heat. The bedding consisted of duvets in covers, with no separate sheets provided. We eventually removed the duvets and used only the covers but the room remained excessively warm. A few days later, we borrowed a second fan. While the fans helped circulate air, they did not lower the room temperature. Adding to the frustration, each fan had a timer that automatically shut it off after a maximum of two hours, requiring us to wake up repeatedly throughout the night to restart them. Between the heat and the fan timers, neither of us slept well during our entire stay.

Another issue was the shower. Regardless of the time of day, the water pressure was extremely poor.

The staff were friendly. The hotel is in a good spot as it's between the city centre and the Bay (about a 15 minute walk either way). It's in a residential area so there's nothing but housing around.

Monday, 22 June 2026

The Dock, Cardiff Bay, Wales

Gord and I had lunch at The Dock

Rumba, Cardiff Bay, Wales

It was 26C and sunny and Gord and I enjoyed a taste of the Caribbean with an Irie Lager at Rumba. What a cute spot! Thanks, Paul! Cheers! 

The Giant Wheel, Cardiff Bay, Wales

Gord and I did the Giant Wheel in Cardiff Bay. It’s is a 35 metre observation wheel on the waterfront.

It makes 4 rotations. The first time around was kind of scary but the other 3 were okay.

Sunday, 21 June 2026

Newport Castle, Newport, Wales

Gord and I checked out Newport Castle, one of Newport’s oldest landmarks, sitting beside the River Usk. 

The castle dates from the 1300s and was built to guard the river crossing and protect the town. Back then it was a serious fortress, complete with thick walls, towers and tidal defenses. Over the centuries it was damaged, abandoned and partly dismantled so today only part of the original castle survives.

Pen and Wig, Newport, Wales

Gord and I had supper at the Pen and Wig

“This Little Piggy", Newport, Wales

The famous pig statue is called “This Little Piggy.” It’s a life-size bronze pig sculpture that celebrates over 700 years of market trading in Newport. The pig is modeled on a Gloucester Old Spot and carries baskets of fruit and vegetables on its back, reflecting the city’s market heritage. It was created by sculptor Sebastian Boyesen and unveiled in the 1990s. A local tradition says rubbing the pig’s nose brings good luck (we did!).

Hanbury Arms, Caerleon, Wales

Gord and I had a beer on the patio of the Hanbury Arms overlooking the River Usk. 

The building is old … parts go back to the 1500s and there’s a Norman tower (13th century) attached to it. At different points, it’s been a house, a court and a bit of a lock-up for prisoners. Tennyson stayed there in the 1800s while working on “Idylls of the King”. Cheers!

Ye Olde Bull Inn, Caerleon, Wales

Gord and I had a beer at Ye Olde Bull Inn, is one of the oldest buildings in Caerleon, with parts of it dating back to around the 1400s. Long before it was a pub, it would have been an inn for travellers passing through the village. It stands on historic High Street, within what was once the civilian settlement outside the Roman fortress of Isca Augusta. Cheers!

Caerleon Amphitheatre, Caerleon, Wales

After we checked out National Roman Legion Museum, Gord and I headed to the Caerleon Amphitheatre, one of Britain’s best-preserved Roman amphitheatres. It was huge and the amplification of our voices was amazing!

National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Wales

After Gord and I checked out the Caerleon Roman Baths, the next stop was the National Roman Legion Museum, which was free and full of Roman artifacts, armour and exhibits.