GLAMPING went one step further in 2014, with budget holidaymakers opting for the homier comforts of a poshtel (posh hostel).
YHA (England and Wales) invested £4 million ($6.25 million) in Cardiff, creating a new 92-bedroom, world-class poshtel in the heart of the Welsh capital and set to open in March 2015.YHA Cardiff Central will be one of only a handful of accommodation providers near the centre that has cost-effective group accommodation for schools, colleges or universities with classrooms on site. YHA purchased the three-storey former Mercure Lodge Hotel on East Tyndall Street earlier this year and will be opening the luxury poshtel in spring 2015 following a £500,000 ($780,000) facelift. The new YHA Cardiff Central will also have three fully equipped meeting rooms making it ideal for conferences and school groups.Every room will have en-suite facilities and there will be free wi-fi throughout the building, a secure luggage store, free onsite parking for cars and coaches, and conferencing facilities available for private hire. Catering for travellers of all tastes and budgets, YHA Cardiff Central will also boast a licensed restaurant and a self-catering kitchen.YHA will be retaining the hotel’s upper floor as premium bedrooms, featuring queen size beds and TVs, which will be targeted at the weekday corporate and weekend travel market and city breakers looking for comfortable, welcoming, low cost, centrally-located accommodation.Following the refurbishment of the building, YHA Cardiff Central will join YHA’s 160-strong network of properties throughout England and Wales which provide great value, friendly accommodation for young people, families, groups and individuals.