The Parkgate Hotel and Spa

First Impressions

Step through the grand hotel door of what used to be the old post office - where the double-height blue vaulted ceiling, white columns and a central statement chandelier set the scene. Inside, there’s 170 bedrooms, The Sorting Room Restaurant and, on the sixth floor, an adult-only spa.

What's on offer?

Take the lift to 6 for The Spa at The Parkgate. We were warmly welcomed at Reception - a calming palate of neutrals, woods and a display of Elemis products to purchase - and led through the pre-treatment waiting area to fill in consultation forms on iPads. Beyond here, you’ll find the changing rooms – where oversized marble-effect white tiles line the floor and walls.

On one wall: a bank of dark wooden code-operated lockers where slippers and white waffle robes with Parkgate logos can be found inside. There’s a bench for changing, supplies of fresh fluffy towels, two loos and two showers behind frosted-glass doors stocked with Elemis White Lotus Hair & Body Wash and Conditioner.

The vanity area – with its blue tiles, large mirrors and stools for two – has Dyson hairdryers and GHD straighteners. Complimentary amenities include Elemis Pro-Collagen Energizing Marine Cleanser, Hydrating Ginseng Toner and cotton pads.

Exit the changing rooms and take a right to find the small but perfectly formed Thermal Suite. Here, the white and grey tiles continue, while floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides allow for far-reaching rooftop views. Along the lefthand wall, you’ll find rainforest showers, an extra-large super-hot steam room – which we had all to ourselves - and a sauna big enough for six.

The hydrotherapy infinity pool at the end steals the show with its heated volcanic zones and two swan neck pipes to pummel tired shoulders. Bubble away while soaking up the city skyline; landmarks such as the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle can be spotted through the floor-to-ceiling glass.

When you’re done bubbling, help yourself to water or order a glass or Prosecco from one of the spa hosts and lie back on one of the six white heated beds – with yet more city vistas.

Fancy a nap? Retreat to the relaxation room with its sage green walls, soothing sounds and four comfy beds with cosy blankets and dividing curtains. Magazines and books are dotted around for your perusal; you can order a choice of herbal teas from the spa staff to sip beside a pretty feature wall.

Along with four treatment rooms, two of which can be transformed into dual rooms for couples, there’s a private Rasul where you can self-apply medicinal chakra muds before relaxing in the steam.

Want to work out? There’s also a Fitness Suite on the first floor for overnight guests to use, with Technogym equipment.

If you’re on a spa break make sure you book a room on the sixth floor so you can saunter along the corridor in your robe directly to the spa (which is on the same floor).

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Parkgate Facial (60 minutes, £89).

My therapist, Meron, met me in the relaxation room and led me through a long corridor to one of the four treatment rooms – a large calming space with dark woods and flickering candlelight. Meron talked me through the personalised treatment, asking about my areas of concern, before leaving me to disrobe and lay face up on the heated bed.

The facial began with a deep cleansing ritual: a double cleanse using Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and Energising Marine Cleanser, followed by a spritz of Rehydrating Ginseng Toner. Meron then applied a skin-tingling Papaya Enzyme Peel to sloth off dead skin cells and, while it got to work, performed an arm massage with long firm strokes – easing out tension I hadn’t realised existed.

After an incredibly relaxing face, neck, shoulder and décolleté massage, Meron applied a Pro-Collagen Marine Mask – with Padina Pavonica, Adaptogenic Noni, Moringa and Argan Tree Oil – then performed a soothing scalp massage. Removing the mask, Meron applied a final slather of Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Serum, Marine Cream and Ultra-Conditioning Lip Balm.

Post-treatment, Meron led me back to the relaxation room and fetched me a cup of lemon and ginger tea. She explained which products would be good for me to incorporate into my routine (Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator and the Daily Defence Shield SPF 30; hello sunnier days). I found my spa partner horizontal on the day bed; her full body massage, with therapist Monica, hit the spot and she was particularly impressed by the leg massage.

The Spa at The Parkgate offers a wide range of facials, massages and signature treatments from Elemis, along with private Rasul Rituals.

Food Facts

Our spa package included Afternoon Tea within the grand walls of the Cwrt Lounge; our friendly waitress presented us with the Welsh Brew board – where a selection of herbal teas in sample tins were ready to be sniffed. After debating over the Lemon & Ginger, Green Tea with Rooibos & Orange or the Fruit Berry, we opted for the latter for its invigorating scent, while our spa partner enjoyed a Welsh Breakfast Tea.

Our feast began with savoury treats – Monmouthshire reared Pork and Sweet Chilli Quail Scotch Eggs and Slow Cooked Beef Brisket Slider – before (almost) too-pretty-to-eat hand-made cakes and pastries, delicate finger sandwiches – Wye Valley Smoked Salmon, Shervington Farm Hen’s Egg, Caws Cenarth Perl Wen Cheese and Coronation Chicken – and freshly baked scones were delivered to the elegant metal freestanding afternoon tea stand.

If you’re staying overnight, don’t miss dinner at The Sorting Room – once one of the grand old post office spaces on the ground floor. We loved the wood-panelled walls, dark blue leather banquettes and rows of long-arm gold wall lights.

Despite the two AA rosette and Michelin listing the brasserie-feel keeps things relaxed and low-key; the staff are friendly but professional. The menu gives a nod to the local Welsh produce, from the Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky Cured Salmon to the Celebration of Welsh - it’s worth noting that portion sizes are extremely generous.

We tucked into the fresh and light Sorting Room Salad with beetroot, radish, deliciously creamy Pant-Ys-Gawn goat’s cheese and pear, followed by a mouth-watering Thirty-Five Day Dry Aged Welsh Reared Beef Rump with Welsh whisky peppercorn sauce and whole roasted garlic. A glass of Argentinian Malbec proved to be the perfect accompaniment.

Despite the temptation of the Welsh Cheeseboard, with Perl Wen, Hafod, Caerphilly and Perl Las blue, we had to decline dessert for lack of space. If you want to make a night of it, check out the Sorting Room Bar’s signature cocktail menu whose mixologists regales the Parkgate’s history with delights such as the spiced rum inspired ‘Air Mail’ or ‘Post Brenhinol’ (The Royal Mail in English) with Kahlua, Creme de Cacao and Mezcal Casamigos.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

Those city views: bubbling in the hydro pool while soaking up stadium and castle views was a little bit special.

Our Parkgate Facial was a good mix of massage and results-driven facial - left us feeling de-stressed with glow-y skin.

Afternoon Tea: feasting beneath the beautiful double-height blue vaulted ceiling and central statement chandelier added a little old-school glamour, while the Pixie Orange crème mousse was a real treat for both the eyes and tastebuds.
 

We didn’t love

Like most city centre spas, there’s no onsite parking; come by train if you can. If you do drive, park at Cardiff Train Station Car Park (£13.90 for 24 hours), a 10-minute walk away.

Who do you think would like it?

Besties: the intimate feel of the spa makes it the perfect place to catch up over a glass of fizz (or two) on the heated beds.

Rugby fans: You can spot the Principality Stadium - home of the Wales national rugby union team - from the hydro pool.

Couples: from the cool design and central Cardiff locale to the dual treatment rooms and Rasul Rituals, The Parkgate Hotel has got the weekend spa break licked.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

We awarded The Spa at The Parkgate a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its intimate feel, city views, down-to-earth staff, tasty food and effective treatments.

Scarlet Spy visited in March 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.