Cardiff, 109 Saint Mary Street51.479347,-3.179151(Show on Map)
6.7
Rated
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
Mrs Potts in Cardiff garners mostly positive reviews, largely thanks to its unbeatable central location. Situated in the heart of Cardiff, it offers easy access to major attractions, transport links and vibrant nightlife. Guests appreciate its proximity to Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Central Train Station and the Principality Stadium, as well as numerous pubs, bars, restaurants and supermarkets. Despite being in such a bustling area, many find the hostel provides a surprisingly quiet and comfortable stay. The hostel also receives praise for value for money with clean and tidy accommodations and a hassle-free check-in process, making it a superb base for exploring Cardiff.
The rooms receive mixed feedback. Positively, guests mention spacious, airy and comfortable accommodations with privacy-enhancing features like curtains, individual lamps and sockets. Cleanliness is often highlighted, alongside the benefits of the prime location and affordability. However, some guests report issues such as unpleasant odors, rooms not matching online images, inadequate soundproofing and temperature control problems. Despite these drawbacks, the staff's efforts in maintaining the property contribute to an overall enjoyable stay.
Cleanliness at Mrs Potts is generally well-regarded with many reviews noting spotless showers and toilets, particularly on the upper floors. The atmosphere is described as cozy and comfortable with regular cleaning routines maintaining a good standard of hygiene. Nonetheless, some guests report issues like insects in beds, visible mold and occasional dirty bathrooms, indicating room for improvement in thorough housekeeping practices.
The staff at Mrs Potts receive commendations for their helpfulness and friendliness. Individual team members are often singled out for exceptional service and the check-in and check-out processes are described as smooth and efficient. However, some guests experience inconsistencies with occasional reports of unavailability, rudeness and limited reception hours. Despite these issues, the general feedback on staff interactions is positive.
WiFi connectivity appears to be a significant area needing improvement. Many guests report poor or non-existent signals with reliable internet often limited to the reception area. This inconsistent availability is a recurring complaint that detracts from the overall guest experience.
The beds at Mrs Potts receive mixed reviews. While the privacy pods with personal curtains, reading lights and plug sockets are appreciated for their thoughtful design, the comfort of the mattresses varies. Some guests find the beds cozy, while others report issues with discomfort due to thin or lumpy mattresses. Cleanliness concerns, such as dirty bedding and presence of bedbugs, are also noted.
As an adult-only hostel, Mrs Potts offers a budget-friendly accommodation option with a relaxed atmosphere suitable for backpackers, singles and couples. A female-only floor provides added privacy and comfort, although some guests report issues with mixed-gender occupancy in these dorms. Despite certain drawbacks like cleanliness concerns and inconsistent staff presence, Mrs Potts remains a viable option for economical travelers, particularly those in pairs or small groups. Improvements in cleanliness, internet connectivity and consistency in service could enhance the overall guest experience significantly.
Categories
Adult Only
Sustainability Journey
Cheap
Accessible
Small
Room Types
Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
Single Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room
Guest Reviews
6.7
Rated
Review Summaries
Location
Mrs Potts boasts an unbeatable location in the heart of Cardiff, making it an ideal choice for visitors. Positioned right in the city center, the hostel is a stone's throw away from Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Central Train Station and the Principality Stadium, ensuring easy access to major attractions and transport links.
Guests consistently highlight the convenience of having numerous pubs, bars, restaurants, shops and even supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's within short walking distance. The central location is especially advantageous for those attending events or concerts in the city, as it's just a few minutes' walk from key venues.
Visitors from all around the globe appreciate the strategic placement of Mrs Potts on bustling streets surrounded by Cardiff's vibrant nightlife and historic sites. Despite being in such a prime spot, many reviews also mention that the hostel provides a surprisingly quiet and comfortable stay with thoughtful room layouts and practical amenities.
Moreover, the hostel is praised for the friendly and helpful staff, adding to the overall positive experience. Those traveling on a budget find Mrs Potts offers good value for money with clean and tidy accommodations. The easy access and hassle-free check-in process are added bonuses, making it a superb base for exploring the charming city of Cardiff.
Rooms
The rooms at Mrs Potts have garnered mixed reviews from guests, reflecting both positive and negative experiences. On the plus side, many guests have praised the spaciousness of the rooms, describing them as large, airy and comfortable. The privacy curtains around the beds, along with individual lamps and sockets, have been well-received, adding a touch of comfort and seclusion. Cleanliness seems to be a consistent strength with multiple guests noting the rooms and bathrooms as clean and tidy. Additionally, the central location and value for money are frequently highlighted as favorable aspects.
However, there are several recurring issues that detract from the overall experience. Guests have reported a strong smell of paint and other unpleasant odors, which can be quite off-putting. The rooms sometimes appear different from the images online, leading to disappointment upon arrival. Some rooms were criticized for being small, dark or dimly lit and not offering enough space for the number of guests. Temperature control also seems problematic with some rooms being overly hot or cold due to malfunctioning heaters or broken windows.
Furthermore, there are mentions of inadequate soundproofing, making some rooms noisy and less restful. Shared facilities such as bathrooms and showers have received mixed feedback with some guests pointing out that they are very old-fashioned and sometimes not very clean. The issue of overcrowding appears serious with reports of extra mattresses on the floor and rooms not corresponding to their advertised quality.
Despite these drawbacks, guests appreciate the effort the staff puts into maintaining a good atmosphere and providing a practical stay at an affordable price. It's a property with potential, given the positive aspects, but it could benefit from addressing the frequently mentioned shortcomings to enhance the overall guest experience.
Beds
At Mrs Potts, the bed experience offers a mixed bag for travelers. Many reviews highlight the comfort and privacy of the bed pods with features such as personal curtains, reading lights and plug sockets being well-appreciated for added convenience and seclusion. Guests frequently mention the spaciousness and thoughtful design of these pods, adding to a cozy and private sleeping environment.
However, comfort levels of the mattresses seem to vary significantly among guests. While several reviews praise the beds as comfortable and cozy, others report ongoing issues with discomfort, primarily due to thin, springy or lumpy mattresses. The presence of bedbugs and cleanliness concerns, such as dirty bedding and remnants from previous occupants, have also been noted in some instances, adding to the negative aspects of the bed experience.
Despite the inconsistency in mattress comfort, many visitors found the beds adequate for the price, noting that new bed linen and overall bed structures contributed positively to their stay. The presence of privacy curtains and ample space for belongings further enhanced the sleeping experience for many.
In summary, while Mrs Potts offers well-thought-out bed pods that many find comfortable and private, inconsistent mattress quality and occasional cleanliness issues suggest room for improvement in ensuring a more consistently positive experience for all guests.
Cleanliness
Mrs Potts hostel, nestled in a central location, boasts a generally clean and tidy environment with friendly and accommodating staff. Many reviews highlight its cleanliness with praise for the spotless showers and toilets, particularly on the upper floors. The atmosphere is often described as clean, cozy and comfortable and the hostel maintains a good standard of hygiene with regular cleaning routines. The decor is charming and rooms are frequently cleaned, offering a pleasant stay for guests.
However, the feedback on cleanliness is mixed. While some find the property overall clean and well-maintained, others express concerns regarding persistent cleanliness issues. Reports of insects in beds, visible mould, peeling paint and occasionally dirty bathrooms have been noted. Communal areas, including the kitchen and dining spaces, occasionally suffer from a lack of proper maintenance, which impacts the overall cleanliness perception.
The bathrooms receive a range of reviews, from extremely clean and modern to instances where hygiene standards fall short. Hot water availability and general bathroom maintenance are adequate but could see improvements. Some guests have highlighted ongoing issues with bed bugs and inadequate housekeeping, particularly under mattresses and in other less noticeable areas.
Overall, while Mrs Potts hostel receives numerous positive comments focusing on its central location, helpful staff and generally clean environment, it is apparent that consistent cleanliness remains a challenge. Improvements in thorough housekeeping and frequent checks for cleanliness could enhance guest satisfaction considerably.
Staff
Mrs. Potts boasts a largely helpful and friendly staff, receiving praise for their assistance and warm interactions. Guests frequently noted the team's kindness and attentiveness, highlighting individuals like Vincent, Rami, Julianna and Ahmed for their exceptional service. The check-in and check-out processes are described as straightforward, often facilitated by clear instructions and considerate receptionists. The staff provided solutions efficiently, such as swiftly sorting out room issues and offering detailed room codes.
However, not all feedback was positive. Some reviews mentioned a lack of availability at the reception with the desk often unattended and limited opening hours. Instances of rudeness and dismissiveness were occasionally reported with some staff coming across as strict or unaccommodating, particularly concerning checkout times. There were noted inconsistencies in staff behavior, ranging from highly professional to surprisingly unfriendly.
Despite these occasional issues, many guests applauded the overall friendliness and assistance provided by the staff. Special mentions were given to the owner, Joe, for his accommodating nature and for making guests feel welcome. Overall, while there are areas for improvement, such as better availability and consistent customer service, the staff at Mrs. Potts have left many guests with positive impressions due to their kindness and helpfulness.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at Mrs Potts hotel appears mixed but skews predominantly negative. Many guests reported issues with poor or non-existent WiFi signals, indicating that the internet often doesn't work or is weak and unreliable. A common theme is that Wi-Fi was mostly available only at the reception area and even there, its performance was inconsistent. Guests staying in certain rooms, particularly room 3, experienced better connectivity, but these positive instances were rare. For many, the lack of reliable internet meant having to find alternatives, such as visiting nearby cafes for access. There were consistent reports of the WiFi not reaching rooms, especially those on upper floors or certain areas of the hotel. It's evident that while the hotel advertises free Wi-Fi, its quality and availability need significant improvement to meet guest expectations.
Adult Only
Mrs Potts provides a budget-friendly accommodation option ideal for backpackers, singles and couples. This adult-only hostel features a calm and relaxing atmosphere with an entire floor designated as female-only, which many guests appreciate for added privacy and comfort.
However, some guests have experienced issues with mixed-gender occupancy in female-only dorms, which can be unsettling. The location is decent and the basic amenities help keep costs low. Despite this, there are notable drawbacks, including unhelpful staff, lack of staff presence at night and cleanliness concerns. The absence of proper security measures such as individual room keys also raises safety issues.
While it may be a good choice for those looking for an economical stay, especially if traveling in pairs or small groups, solo female travelers might find other lodging options more suitable due to the safety and cleanliness concerns highlighted by previous guests.
FAQ
No, Mrs Potts doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Mrs Potts.
No, Mrs Potts doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Mrs Potts.
