While this waterfront hotel is rightly celebrated for its marine spa offerings, the on-site restaurant is far more than convenience dining.This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Despite its location in my hometown, I’ve long had a soft spot for this swish spa hotel where you can enjoy waterside dining.(Image: Portia Jones )
We’re fortunate to have several brilliant restaurants spread out across Cardiff. The Welsh capital is bursting with independent bistros, epic street food eats, and even Michelin dining. One place I love to dine for epic views just happens to be a waterfront restaurant inside a landmark hotel I’ve stayed in many times over the years – Vovo St. David’s by IHG.
Despite its location in my hometown, I’ve long had a soft spot for this swish spa hotel and have had many celebrations there, including milestone birthdays and an engagement shindig. I love having an upscale spa on my doorstep. I can book a spa and lunch day with friends or my long-suffering husband, or even stay in one of their stylish rooms if I fancy a night away.
While the hotel is rightly celebrated for its marine spa offerings, the on-site restaurant, Tir A Môr, is far more than a convenience dining; it’s the place to book if you want dinner with a view and food that combats the usual “meh, hotel dining” stigma.
I’ve stayed in many spa hotels with sub-par food offerings, so finding somewhere decent to eat within a hotel setting is always a pleasant surprise.
This is one of my favourite spa hotels (Image: voco St David’s Cardiff)
Meaning ‘land and sea’ in Welsh, the stylish restaurant and bar takes its inspiration from the bayside location and utilises the best of Welsh produce.
The interior matches the setting with a coastal chic flair and is decorated with deep teal blues, lush leafy plants, and moody lighting near the bar.
The space is split into a bay view section with large windows and sliding shutters letting in natural light; the bar side is moodier, with booths and a dimmer glow, ideal for sipping carefully crafted cocktails. There are wicker chairs that nod to the bay vibe without tipping into kitsch.
I love the views from the restaurant (Image: Portia Jones )
Food-wise, the kitchen creatively twists Welsh dishes and produce. You can expect beautifully presented plates of Welsh beer-battered fish and chips, Cefn Mawr beef chuck burger, and Wild mushroom and shallot tart.
The latest menu is bold without being showy with typical dishes like Hot honey-roasted figs paired with Monmouthshire air-dried ham and Teifi cheese shavings, Grilled marinated spatchcock chicken, and slow-cooked beef and red wine ragu.
For my main, I went for the braised shank of Welsh lamb with tomato and courgette fregola, roasted peppers, and goat’s cheese. The lamb was cooked to pinky perfection. It was tender, rich, and meltingly soft, practically falling off the bone.
The latest menu is bold without being showy(Image: Portia Jones )
Accompanied by fregola, a small, toasted Sardinian pasta made from semolina and water, added a pleasantly chewy texture that contrasted beautifully with the softness of the lamb.
I rarely see fregola paired with lamb, so this plate felt creative for a hotel dish. The roasted peppers brought smoky sweetness and a Mediterranean vibe, while the courgette added subtle freshness. The goat’s cheese gave everything a creamy, slightly tangy note.
Long-suffering husband opted for the pan-roasted cod loin with buttered leeks, mashed potato, and garlic and parsley sauce. The cod was perfectly cooked, flaky yet meaty, with the mild sweetness of the leeks cutting through the richness of the buttery mash. The garlic and parsley sauce added a gentle aromatic lift without overpowering the delicate fish.
I rarely see fregola paired with lamb(Image: Portia Jones )
Desserts here are also pretty decent, with options such as Bara Brith bread and butter pudding and a Welsh cheeseboard with Pembrokeshire biscuits. For dessert, we shared a chocolate fondant paired with subtly sweet cherry ice cream and annihilated it in under 30 seconds.
After a filling dinner, it’s always nice to retire to a room just a lift ride away and have your sugar crash on soft linen. Bliss. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
One of Cardiff’s flagship hotels, voco St. David’s, has a commanding position in the marina, overlooking Cardiff’s cosmopolitan waterfront area.(Image: Portia Jones )
If you’re staying the night here, you have four options, from cosy standard rooms to suites with sweeping sea views. Expect crisp white linens, fluffy towels, and luxe Antipodes toiletries.
Several rooms have fantastic views of the Bay, Docklands and Penarth. The hotel is pet-friendly, and your dog can enjoy a holiday for an additional charge of £35 per room per night.
On our last stay here, we opted for Llawr Bae Teigr, Tiger Bay Floor. This newly offered floor offers an “elevated home-from-home stay” and an added touch of splendour.
Choose from a room, Junior Suite, or Tiger Bay Suite and expect spectacular panoramic views from a private balcony. The rooms and suites feature invigorating showers, upscale furnishings, and cosy bedding made from recycled materials.
voco St David’s Hotel(Image: voco St David’s Hotel)
If you want to splurge, the Tiger Bay Floor is a lovely, indulgent stay with access to the gorgeous spa. No matter what room you choose, all hotel guests have complimentary access to the impressive boutique spa. Here you’ll find a 15m indoor pool with a toasty water corridor, bubbly spa pools, soothing steam and sauna rooms and various treatments.
What I particularly love about the spa is that you can swim in the pool and enjoy fabulous views of Cardiff Bay’s marina. On a sunny day, I feel like I could be abroad as I do barely adequate lengths while looking out at the blue skies. Lush.
Another fun feature is the water corridors. Let the gentle current guide you to swan-neck fountains overlooking the pool. After swimming, unwind in a dry sauna and sweat out all the previous night’s wine.
Fancy a little extra pampering? You can book holistic face and body treatments in advance. All treatments use top-quality products like ishga or OSKIA to leave you glowing.
As a hotel guest, you’ll access the impressive boutique spa(Image: Portia Jones )
There are wellness packages to suit every budget and mood, whether you’re looking for a quick refresh or a full-on spa day. One of my favourite treatments here is the sIhga Deep Tissue Massage.
After spending so much time craning my neck typing travel stories, I found this massage really helps realign the inner, deeper layers of muscles (according to my massage therapist, who applied long, slow, and firmer strokes to a target area, which in my case is my aching neck. Bliss.
I was also reliably informed that the treatment used a “specially formulated Muscle Recovery Oil by sIhga,” a blend of “anti-inflammatory seaweed extract, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint to boost circulation and break down lactic acid.”
I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I always emerge from these massages feeling more relaxed and needing a power nap.
Outside of the hotel, there’s plenty to do in the bay, with an array of restaurants, bars, and cafes lining the waterfront. For culture fans, the Wales Millennium Centre is the national arts centre for Wales and has a diverse programme of theatre and arts events.
One of my top picks of things to do here is the classic Cardiff Bay Trail, offering stunning marina views and plenty of pubs for a cheeky pit stop.
This easy, predominantly traffic-free circular trail spans just over six miles around Cardiff Bay, leading to the chic seaside town of Penarth via Pont Y Werin.
Designed for cyclists and walkers, it’s an ideal route for a relatively simple waterfront wander. However, a small section of the trail, adjacent to Ferry Court, has been closed since 2019, so you’ll need to take a minor detour to complete the loop.
This delightful route takes you around Penarth Marina, over the River Ely, past the international pool and across the River Taff to Cardiff Bay.
You can then return for a restful slumber in one of Cardiff’s best hotels and watch the sun set over our glorious coastline. With a decent on-site restaurant, modern rooms and affordable spa break packages, this swish hotel is definitely one to add to your travel list.
You can check prices book your stay here.
Portia Jones was a guest of Tir A Môr.