Elska x Cathedral 73

I arrived early in Cardiff, too early to check in to my hotel, so I found a café in the neighbourhood to wait and work in. Brød, an authentic Danish bakery was my bliss; but not wanting to outstay my welcome with one coffee for hours I moved on, next stumbling across Lufkin Coffee Roasters, hidden in a Pontcanna alley called. How was Cardiff out-hipstering Shoreditch? I moved on toward the hotel, stopping to peer into an estate agent’s window, half thinking about leaving London for Wales.

And then I arrived at Cathedral 73 Hotel. It felt like I was home. I had been expecting an old school B&B but it was thoroughly modern, stylish, sumptuous and fully worthy of the boutique hotel monicker. I didn’t expect to get such a spacious room either, complete with separate bedroom, huge bath and even a full kitchen (perfect for baking a frozen pizza after a very full day of shooting). Then a proper Welsh breakfast in the charmingly period restaurant in the morning was all you could ask for.

Of course I had to do a shoot here too, and I even ended up photographing three guys at Cathedral 73, a couple just for fun, because I was so comfortable here and the light was too seductive. This is absolutely where I’ll stay if I ever come back to Cardiff, and I’m sure I will.

CATHEDRAL 73 HOTEL: 73 CATHEDRAL RD, CARDIFF, CF11 9HE, CATHEDRAL73.COM, +44 29 2023 5005

Elska Boy: Oliver D

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Photographer: Liam Campbell

Issue: Elska Magazine Issue (07) Cardiff

#CardiffWales