Melissa Barker reviews voco St David's in Cardiff

Melissa Barker reviews voco St David's in Cardiff.

Some things are just meant to be. After a stressful few weeks of house hunting, my partner and I were in desperate need of some R&R, so a visit to the five-star voco St David's in Cardiff was just what the doctor ordered.

The venue's impressive glass exterior and sleek, modern décor were complemented by the warmth of the receptionist, who offered us complimentary Welsh cakes, which I was more than happy to sample!

Our room went beyond our expectations, with a super-king-sized bed, a TV, grand windows that overlooked the bay and an en suite, boasting a walk-in rain shower, heated towel rails and a fabulous bath.

After a few hours' rest, we were introduced to the lovely Amy, the wedding coordinator at the hotel. She showed us the facilities and impressive wedding spaces. We both fell in love with the gorgeous Penarth Terrace, which is available for al fresco drinks receptions and blessings. There were a variety of rooms located inside the hotel, all of them beautifully decorated and catering for nuptials of all sizes. At the end of the tour, we visited The Admiral St David restaurant, where we enjoyed prosecco and afternoon tea – yum!

To dine for
After lounging around in our white fluffy robes on our unbelievably comfortable bed, it was a struggle to drag ourselves out of the room for dinner – even though I couldn't wait to taste the food I'd heard so much about.

We both opted for the chicken satay to start, and it was so lovely I could have easily eaten a second serving! The delicious and ideal-sized catch of the day was my choice for main, while my partner went with the vegetable curry. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I finished with the banana bread. It wasn't too heavy, and I could have happily eaten more. The service was impeccable, and the staff went out of their way to ensure we were enjoying ourselves and had everything we needed.

Pure indulgence
We awoke the following morning feeling like royalty. We had breakfast in the restaurant, where there was something to suit everyone, from pastries and cereal to a full English. We both opted for the delicious continental option; there was so much food that I think I ate enough for two!

At that point, I couldn't wait any longer – it was time to visit the spa. We went straight to the 15-metre indoor pool and were pleasantly surprised to find that, despite the large number of guests visiting the hotel, it was lovely and quiet. We made full use of the pool, sauna and relaxation room, which had cosy blankets, sofas and soothing music – a must see if you're staying at the hotel.

On our second visit to The Admiral St David restaurant for dinner, I opted for the Welsh beer-battered cod, and my partner chose the Chicken Laksa, which he was still raving about it the next day! For dessert, I couldn't say no to another helping of the banana bread. My partner, meanwhile, chose the apple crumble, which was so delicious it inspired me to try baking my own sweet treats.

It's always the sign of a great trip when you leave wishing that you could stay there longer. It's safe to say we're planning on visiting again soon!

To find out more, visit www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/gb/en/cardiff/cwlcd/hoteldetail or call 02920 454 045.