**Cardiff’s Copthorne Hotel Set to Welcome Guests Once Again After Four-Year Closure**
The Copthorne Hotel, a prominent establishment situated in Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff, is preparing to re-open its doors to the public, following nearly four years of closure. The venue, which once bustled with holidaymakers, business travellers, and locals, had been out of public service since summer 2021 after being repurposed as temporary accommodation during a critical period of social need.
Initially, the Copthorne was enlisted by the Home Office to provide sanctuary for asylum seekers, a role it took on shortly after Covid-19 restrictions first eased. The pandemic, alongside increasing arrivals via Channel crossings and a significant backlog in UK asylum applications, led to unprecedented numbers of people requiring short-term housing. The hotel’s 135-room capacity made it a suitable option for meeting these emergency demands.
This regional situation was not unique to Cardiff. Across the United Kingdom, hotels became a common solution for housing those displaced by global crises, as well as those affected by domestic pressures on housing and social services. Locally, Cardiff Council found itself under increasing strain, as the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living issues sharply boosted homelessness rates throughout the city.
From September 2023, the Copthorne transitioned to another vital community role — acting as a temporary home for many homeless families in Cardiff. This initiative came in response to what authorities described as an “unprecedented demand for homeless services.” A spokesperson for Cardiff Council explained at the time that securing the Copthorne offered better value and more consistent provision compared to booking hotels on a case-by-case basis. They acknowledged the urgent need to increase accommodation capacity while families waited for transitions into permanent housing.
During this period, the hotel’s everyday functions as a leisure and business hotel were paused, with its facilities solely focused on offering safe, short-term shelter. Authorities stressed that utilising the Copthorne allowed them to offer an improved and more stable service to those in crisis, compared to the scattered, reactive solutions previously available.
Now, after extensive refurbishment works, the management has revealed that the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff-Caerdydd is set to reopen to the public on Monday, 19 May. The venue aims to greet guests with reinvigorated rooms, a refreshed restaurant and bar area, and a newly curated menu. Announcing the news, the hotel expressed their enthusiasm: “After a thoughtful refresh, we’re ready to welcome you back with the warm hospitality you know and love — now with revitalised spaces and enhanced service.”
While many of the Copthorne’s signature offerings are set to return, it’s worth noting that the hotel’s gym and swimming pool facilities will remain closed until further notice. There has been no firm timeline given for when these amenities might re-open, with management pledging to keep the public informed as developments occur.
The return of the Copthorne Hotel is likely to be greeted with interest and relief from both Cardiff’s hospitality sector and the wider community. As local residents look forward to a favourite venue reopening, the council and community groups reflect on its crucial service during a challenging period. The story of the Copthorne mirrors wider social changes in the UK, spotlighting how familiar local places have provided the backdrop for responses to extraordinary events.
For now, the hotel’s reopening marks not just a return to normality for guests and staff, but also a reminder of the multifaceted roles such venues can play beyond tourism and hospitality. The Copthorne stands as a testament to Cardiff’s adaptability and collective effort in times of crisis, as well as a fresh beginning for hospitality in the region.