Cardiff International Sports Village hotels in Cardiff, United Kingdom

Cardiff International Sports Village is only halfway to completion, but already boasts Olympic standard facilities that attract both competitors and visitors for its prestige. Staying at a hotel in Cardiff city centre is perfect for visiting a series of events at the village, whether opting for budget accommodation or something more luxurious. Whichever you prefer, Cardiff city centre has a wealth of hotel options.

The Village is one of the highlights of Cardiff Bay and one of the UK’s largest ongoing regeneration projects. The first phase opened with an Olympic-sized 50-metre swimming pool and temporary ice rink on land, while out in the bay there is the white water canoeing and kayak centre. On completion, the village will be able to offer an indoor snow centre with real snow that will be used for both snowboarding and skiing events, along with a hotel.

The Village’s swimming pool, named the Cardiff International Pool, has been open since January 2008. It includes the 10-lane, Olympic-sized pool for serious swimmers, along with a four-lane warm-up pool, water slides and flume rides for family fun, as well as a gym. The temporary ice rink, with a capacity for 2,500 spectators, is known as the Cardiff Arena and is the home arena for Cardiff’s Devils ice hockey outfit.

The village’s white water rafting centre, which opened in 2010, was built to Olympic standard. The course, which winds precariously over its 250-metre length, cost more than £13 million. Crossing the River Ely nearby is the Pont Y Werin, which translates as People’s Bridge. This stunning structure allows both pedestrians and cyclists to travel from the village to nearby Penarth, as the completion of a circular six-mile walk around the Cardiff Bay. Much more development, both residential and commercial, has been proposed to add to the regeneration of the area. There are already two large stores, Morrisons and Toys R Us, established in the village.

The village also boasts a 350-berth marina on the River Ely, with spectacular views across Cardiff Bay and beyond. It offers sheltered moorings for yachts and motorboats in a secure position. There are 200 hectares of fresh water around the marina, with direct access to the Bristol Channel. The marina is not just for mooring a boat, as there is much to explore nearby, such as the nearby Mermaid Quay with its many and varied bars, cafés and restaurants, the Millennium Centre, which offers so much in the way of entertainment, or a short trip to unspoilt Holm Island for some peace and quiet.

This exciting development has already added interest to the regeneration of Cardiff as a cultural, sporting and commercial centre. The village has an exciting future planned that will grow along with the rest of the city and its surrounding areas. Book a hotel in Cardiff for the sensible option for visiting the area, to see what is going on around Cardiff Bay and take a look into the bright future of Cardiff.