First Winter in Wales – Overnight Stay in Barcelo Cardiff Angel Hotel

First Winter in Cardiff, Wales – Overnight Stay in Barcelo Cardiff Angel Hotel: I am lucky because I was able to visit Cardiff, Wales on a winter. I know that doesn’t sound good to most people residing within the UK since the Britain was ‘Frozen’ during that time. I call myself lucky because I was able to experience how it feels like to gallivant on a winter in a European country.

Last December 19, I accompanied my mom together with Tita Arlyn to fix some important documents. At first, we were a bit hesitant to push through with the trip since cars can’t literally get through the highway. One of my mom’s friend was supposed to drive for us, but she backed out due to the bad weather. We tried the other alternative which is to try our luck in the train station.

From Rugby Station, we went to Birmingham New Street to take a connecting train ride to Cardiff. All in all, it took us 2 hours to reach the place.

Prior to the trip, my mom was able to book two rooms in a discounted price at Barcelo Angel Hotel located in Castle Street, just a few blocks away from Cardiff Queen Street Train Station.

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Outside Cardiff Queen Street Train Station

We arrived there at 8:30PM. We were freezing when we reached the hotel that night. Being the tropical girl that I am, i insisted that we go to the nearest Burger King shop to grab something to eat and drink hot coffee. Man, i never drank hot coffee in Burger King here in the Philippines! I am truly enjoying the fun of comparing the fastfood servings of different countries.

Thanks to the free map found at the train station, we were able to locate our hotel. It is just three streets away from the station (if i’m right LOL). My mom kept on teasing me by asking if I enjoy walking in the white street in Cardiff. I smiled. I’m just glad that I didn’t give in to her request for me to wear high-heeled boots or else i’m frozen dead by slipping in the middle of the street.

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Welcome to Barcelo Angel Hotel

And we found it! Stunned, entering the Barcelo Angel Hotel felt like I am a lead character in a British film in the Victorian setting. There was an ongoing formal gathering in one of the big rooms. I saw some pretty ladies in their best gowns and fine gentlemen in their tuxedo. Is my Prince Charming waiting for me? Oh wait LOL.

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Although my mom never admitted it to me, I have a feeling that she scheduled the trip on purpose (even if it is risky) simply because she wanted me to visit Cardiff. Fixing some important documents in Cardiff instead of London or Birmingham is a good excuse to have a rare mother-daughter bonding experience. I just love it!

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Our Room - Comfy Bed for Winter!
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Toiletries

 

We were happy to see our lovely and cozy room. My mom and I are different in many ways. You’ll rarely see her get out of the house with no make-up on, while i dislike the idea of applying make-up on a regular day. She’s good in mix and match (in short stylish), but i only love matching shirts with shorts or pants. We often fight about my lack of interest in vanity and style, but we still get along. No choice hehe nah, love yah mum! Let’s look for good flights to preveza soon as long as you’ll pay for everything! Hehe just kidding πŸ˜€

Here are some photos of me and mom in the room – like bestfriends πŸ˜€

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Mother-Daughter Tandem
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Strike a Pose
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Thanks, Self-Timer

I guess my mom and I missed each other so much! I am looking forward to the day where we will visit Ireland and Scotland together… then Spain, Croatia, Paris hehe then all over the world with Carlo too under the guidance of Papa Jojo πŸ™‚

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Time to rest and recharge…. Goodnight…

We woke up early the next day to prepare for our appointment, which is scheduled at 8AM. I love Breakfast Buffets and here’s what we had for our morning meal:

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Breakfast Buffet Selection
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My Plate (No Rice LOL)

Woohoo! Cardiff Winter looks lovely from the window, but it doesn’t give you that warm feel once you step outside. Brrrrr!

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Good morning, Cardiff!

We walked for approximately 20 minutes trying to beat the snow to my mom’s appointment. She wanted us to wait for her, but that is just not possible since the nearby coffeeshop is already full. Wow.

We went around the town center the whole morning ’till early afternoon. We went back to the hotel for the check-out, but we asked for a little extension. They agreed since the hotel is not fully occupied that day (or on a winter so they’re ok in giving huge discounts). Thankful, yes we are.

Our stay in Barcelo Cardiff Angel Hotel is quite an experience. If we weren’t that busy that day, I am good with just staying in my hotel room and peep through the window watching kids attempting to build snowman, people still rushing to work and yes, cute Welsh guys hehe. Just kidding.

Barceló Cardiff Angel Hotel
Castle Street, Cardiff South Glamorgan CF10 1SZ United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)2920 649 200 Fax: +44 (0)2920 396 212
http://www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk/hotels/wales/barcelo-cardiff-angel-hotel

11 Comments

  1. Are you sure that is your mother. She looks like an older sister. Looks like a great family adventure in Cardiff. When are you coming to Chicago πŸ™‚

    November 11, 2011
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Ted, you’re not the first person who asked that question! πŸ˜€ Makes me really proud that she’s my mom πŸ™‚ Chicago? I’m hoping soon πŸ™‚

      November 12, 2011
      Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Samuel, yes it is! πŸ˜€

      November 12, 2011
      Reply
  2. ciki said:

    I studied in Cardiff- it is a great place to visit and I will definitely stay at this place you mentioned on my next visit;)

    November 12, 2011
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Hi Ciki! Hmmm that’s pretty interesting! I would like to explore more of Cardiff. Our overnight trip isn’t enough! πŸ˜€

      November 13, 2011
      Reply
  3. dong ho said:

    nice to see you and your mom. kakatuwa ang bonding.

    November 12, 2011
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Thanks Dong! See you next week πŸ˜€

      November 13, 2011
      Reply
  4. Gladys | ByahengBarok.com said:

    wish i could experience a white xmas, too…

    November 15, 2011
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Go Go Go πŸ˜€

      November 15, 2011
      Reply
  5. jade said:

    We love Wales- although we camped out so I can’t say our sleeping arrangements were as nice!

    November 26, 2011
    Reply

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