Name: The Coal Exchange Hotel
Address: 4-5 Mount Stuart Square 4-5 Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, GB
Price range: $56–$339 per night
Rating: 8.35

What guests think

At The Coal Exchange Hotel, travelers praise the building’s rich history and convenient Cardiff Bay location, often enjoying large, characterful rooms—many with jacuzzi baths—and friendly, helpful staff who make check‑in smooth and the stay welcoming.

Common downsides include dim room lighting, dated or tired decor, and temperature control problems due to limited central heating and no air conditioning. Cleanliness and maintenance are inconsistent, with repeated mentions of dust, stained or unclean bathrooms, and occasional faults with fixtures, TVs or hot water. Breakfast and the on‑site restaurant are frequently enjoyed but quality varies, and some guests report noise from the bar or events, patchy Wi‑Fi, and messy or construction‑affected areas around the building. Expect memorable character and value near the Bay, with trade‑offs in polish and modern comforts.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Historic property with on‑site bar and restaurant; parts are under renovation and the rear/exterior can be messy. Parking exists nearby but can be confusing, and climate control often relies on portable heaters with no air conditioning.

Related guest reviews

6

Karen

Nov 5, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

website information should be updated to inform guests that half of the hotel is "under renovation"

10

Gareth

Jan 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely stay for one night. Fantastic hotel close to the bay. Parked right outside and not too expensive. Had some drinks and a bite in the bar, delicious. Barman was superb. Will definitley stay again.

6

FT

Aug 7, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Back side of hotel totally derilict. Parts of it don’t even have a roof . Very very messy on the perimeter of the hotel , it’s been like that for years .

8

Susan

Sep 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent stay. Customer Service Good. Couldn't use the pre-booked parking ticket though.

8

Nicky

Aug 13, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Fabulous building and nice restaurant, bar a bit poor and surrounding area very messy Room very dark

10

Nicola

Jul 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location In a quiet part of the town yet only 10 mins walk to mermaid quay with all the shops restaurants and attractions of Cardiff Bay . Beautiful Hotel with plenty of history and character but still retaining a touch of class. 😊 Staff very friendly and welcoming. The only moan i have is we ordered prosecco and it didnt come in an ice bucket and was a bit warm when we arrived as our train was delayed.

6

Fred

Jul 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The Coal Exchange is an historical building in Cardiff, Wales, but it is in an old area of the city and the streets around thus hotel is not being maintained by the city and is a disgrace. Trash everywhere around the building except for the very front of the building. Air conditioning is non existent and replaced by fans.

6

Luke

Jul 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Stayed here for our anniversary. Room was very dark & quite dated. Tv did not work & music was a definite no no. Jacuzzi bath tub was a nice touch & made our stay. Not how I thought the hotel would be, given being down the bay. Upon arrival to our stay we walked around culleys bar and restaurant back way and was greeted to smashed windows & demolished back end of the hotel. Was not great & will stay elsewhere in future.

10

Alpha

Oct 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A wonderful amd beautiful hotel. Everything great, nut you should know that the heating is proved by oil heaters plugged into your room, so if you get cold, ask reception for an extra heater

6

Jack

Jan 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room 137 directly above restaurant/bar - noisy until well after midnight. Great breakfast and comfortable otherwise - just asknif your room is above the bar!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Feedback is inconsistent: multiple reviews cite dust, dirty or stained areas, and residue in jacuzzi jets, while others found rooms clean. Maintenance issues like mildew, worn finishes, and broken fixtures also recur.

Related guest reviews

6

Zac

Jul 30, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was really good size, staff were good however my only issue was the room conditions. Was covered in dust including the kettle and the bathroom floor had junk stuck to it when we got and looked like it needed a good clean

10

Richard

Nov 23, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Please was beautiful, staff were really friendly and helpful. The rooms are lovely but lighting is a bit of an issue, quite dark in the rooms. The rooms could do with a bit of TLC, they are a bit tired looking. The jacuzzi bath wasn't very clean when we arrived and when we uses the jets, a load of gunk came out from stagnant water, which would suggest it's not used frequently and they don't do regular cleaning/maintenance. Overall though, was a lovely stay.

6

Mrs Sheila

Nov 12, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Convenient to city centre. Short drive away. Decor could do with updating. Attention to cleanliness could be better

6

Amy

Jun 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Greeted well, friendly staff who took our bags to our room when we had to pop back to the car for bank card. Lovely decorated old hotel with lots of history about the hotel around the place. Room was clearly not hoovered and had not been dusted for some time, bathroom door had dust all over it and other areas such as on top of cupboards thick with dust. Room was clean but needs a good deep clean. Big brown stain on the curtains and net curtains. Gorgeous jacuzzi bath and shower but the tap was broken so the only boiling hot. Had to run a bath and wait 3 hours for it to cool down. Grimey around the fixtures and jets in bath. Wifi was very confusing to get connected so gave up with this in the end. Didn’t use the restaurant or bar, but bar was open till 2am. Hotel was very quiet and no issues with noise. No air con due to the age of the building but a fan was provided. I didn’t bring any of the issues I had to reception as we had a long day and wanted peace and quiet but I’m confident they would have been very helpful had I done. I would still recommend and return and thought the hotel was lovely, rooms just need a little more attention from the housekeeping staff.

8

Donna

Jan 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

On arrival the hotel looks very impressive, reception was very grand and welcoming, a very friendly helpful lady on reception. On first appearance the room looks great but it wasn't as one would expect, a gathering of dust behind the bathroom door, the tiles around the sink needed a clean toothpaste/watermarks, soapscum in the bottom of the bath. Tea/coffee stain on the tv wall. Overall a bit tired. The staff at the Hotel were all great, very friendly helpful, the house keeper was very informative about the building we enjoyed talking to her about the history of the building. A great location for visiting the bay, a short walk to car parks.

4

Lowri

Sep 20, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I had high hopes for our night away here as I used to come here for music concerts and events and know how impressive the location is. I'm familiar with Cardiff Bay and know that it's not the most illustrious of locations, but the approach to the hotel was surrounded by metal barriers, you could see the building work going on and the overall effect was really offputting. Staff were pleasant enough, however, the hotel was tired, shabby. We had a quadruple room and although the beds were comfortable, the rest of the rooms was not up to scratch - stains on the carpets, panelling coming off the wall and mildew on the bathroom ceiling. Certainly not worth the £270 price tag I paid through Expedia.

4

Kayleigh

Nov 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff on front desk were very friendly. Checked in early and left bags at reception. Bags were up in room when we came back which was helpful. However, room was a disappointment. It smelt of wet dog. Clumps of hair in the bath, a safety pin was left on the desk, kettle covered in dust. Stayed in the presedential suite and wish we hadnt. Wind whistled through the windows all night. Beds were uncomfortable and hard. Breakfast wasnt great either, items had been there a while and the bread was stale from being left out for so long. Stayed a few times previously and had no problems before. Staff were friendly and helpful, but the room needs a good clean.

8

Georgina

Dec 30, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was okay for 2 nights in Cardiff but a little rough around the edges, the bathroom wasn’t clean and there were tobacco leaves on the dresser, not to mention a rip in the bedsheets, so better cleanliness is needed.

8

Mary

Jun 6, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The Coal Exchange is a beautiful old building with gorgeous ceilings and dark wood throughout. Our rooms were spacious and comfortable. The place could use an update (pretty dusty, old paint, the wifi didnt work? But it served our needs. The restaurant is fabulous!

8

noreen

Sep 2, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

Second time staying at this hotel, both times we booked the same rate/size room but the stays varied massively. This time the room was ground floor round the back of the hotel, opposite a building site and very noisy day/night. At night there were cars outside with loud music blasting until early hours. During the day, builders looking into the room (no privacy film on windows) so we kept curtains closed. Carpet was stained and dirty, furniture, skirting, everything was dusty. No working fan (no window either) in bathroom so very steamy after a shower. First stay was fantastic. Lovely clean room on first floor, clean bathroom, on the front of the building so no noise. Very disappointing second time round especially as we paid almost £900. However, the staff we have met have been consistently lovely. The ladies who greet and serve breakfast are such lovely, attentive and kind women who always made an effort to speak to us and greet our daughter with nothing short of kindness. I didn’t get their names but they were both absolutely lovely! Thank you for taking the time to talk to our little girl and make her feel very special. Staff at reception were also friendly. Great location. The bay is a couple of minutes walk away and there are plenty of parking options. Lots to do locally.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are generally large and characterful—often with jacuzzi baths—and many guests slept well. Drawbacks include very dim lighting, dated decor, inconsistent temperature (portable heaters, no air‑con), occasional noise from bar/events, patchy Wi‑Fi, and sporadic TV or hot‑water issues.

Related guest reviews

8

jane

Jan 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The Coal Exchange is a unique hotel in a very convenient spot for Cardiff Bay. Steeped in history. Good value. Downside for us was room was very dark and whilst there was a dressing table there was no stool nor light so you couldnt use it... it was so dark in that part of our 3 people room ( 102) . There were also no extra pillows as you normally would have. Some of the staircases needed a good hoover and clean. Its such a lovely place just needs tlc and attention to those details that matter. Breakfast was nice.It is a good value place to stay though so dont let those points put you off just maybe ask for a brighter room.

8

David

Jan 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was nice and big with a comfortable bed and a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath. We had a good night’s sleep and felt rested in the morning. Very convenient location for the WMC and the restaurants in the Bay.

10

Simon

Nov 28, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great to see an old historic building with modern rooms. Very comfortable, massive spa bath and quiet

8

Rosaleen

Dec 4, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely and quirky hotel. Spacious rooms and comfortable beds.

8

Gary

Jul 8, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

No Wi-Fi signal in room, could not use my data either because signal was so bad!

2

Kristen

Oct 19, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was hot, no matter what we did with the air con. There was very little lighting in the room. The corner near the window was pitch black. There should have at least been a lamp there. The room was dirty. No battery case on the tv remote. And the electrics went completely off during the night so our phones didn’t charge and we had to have showers in the dark. Breakfast was cold and no option for eggs other than scrambled. This was a shared birthday night away and we were not comfortable. Glad to get home. Place has gone downhill.

6

Fred

Jul 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The Coal Exchange is an historical building in Cardiff, Wales, but it is in an old area of the city and the streets around thus hotel is not being maintained by the city and is a disgrace. Trash everywhere around the building except for the very front of the building. Air conditioning is non existent and replaced by fans.

6

Ken

Jan 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was very cold, was very small oil heater and large room we slept in our clothes and considered going home. There was no hot water also. The TV was not working also. We told reception and nothing was done

10

Alpha

Oct 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A wonderful amd beautiful hotel. Everything great, nut you should know that the heating is proved by oil heaters plugged into your room, so if you get cold, ask reception for an extra heater

6

Jack

Jan 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room 137 directly above restaurant/bar - noisy until well after midnight. Great breakfast and comfortable otherwise - just asknif your room is above the bar!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Service is widely praised as friendly, helpful and accommodating. A few guests reported lapses such as billing or allocation errors, uneven restaurant service, and disruption during events or filming.

Related guest reviews

10

stephen

Apr 9, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Its our 3rd time staying here and we absolutely love it. The staff are always super polite and helpful. They really go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Paul the manager also did an amazing job of rectifing a minor issue we had on a previous stay. We will definitely be staying again. Its our go to hotel now whenever we stay in Cardiff

10

Mark

Jul 2, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful building,spacious rooms.The nicest staff i have ever looked after us.Four different people on reception with excellent customer care and friendly.Breakfast staff coudnt do enough for you went above and beyond.Made my birthday stay extra special .Thank you.

4

Phil

Nov 5, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Unfortunately there was an event on and the morning after rigging/ Camara crew were so noisy in for breakfast Restaurant staff were inexperienced and why have spoons left in mugs that are taken from the table filled then brought back with spoons still left in them, food mediocre and lukewarm On check in put monies on room but at the small bar the bar staff could not work till so I paid with card and then on check out reception tried to make me pay again for the drinks. It was only when I showed him on my phone that the money had been taken from my account and wanted to speak to a manager that he conceded. All round I think there is a need for some training/retraining in some areas. Not one of our best stays.

10

Lo

Oct 12, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed in the Coal Exchange hotel for two nights, the entire staffs team are very friendly, helpful.

10

Cathy

Sep 4, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful building and room. We did have a slight problem with the hot water in our room. This was immediately investigated by the really helpful receptionist, and as it could not be resolved straight away, we were offered an alternate room (which was even lovelier than our first). Great location for all the restaurants in the bay and for the Millennium Centre. If you like older style, historical buildings, this is a great choice. We will visit again.

10

Gareth

Jan 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely stay for one night. Fantastic hotel close to the bay. Parked right outside and not too expensive. Had some drinks and a bite in the bar, delicious. Barman was superb. Will definitley stay again.

10

Jacqueline

Dec 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Grabbed a last minute break away. Staff were friendly and hotel was nice with lots of history. Booked breakfast can’t say it was excellent just average hotel buffet. They could do with labels on maybe a tray to sit tea and coffee jugs on as unless you ask staff you don’t know which is which.

8

Donna

Jan 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

On arrival the hotel looks very impressive, reception was very grand and welcoming, a very friendly helpful lady on reception. On first appearance the room looks great but it wasn't as one would expect, a gathering of dust behind the bathroom door, the tiles around the sink needed a clean toothpaste/watermarks, soapscum in the bottom of the bath. Tea/coffee stain on the tv wall. Overall a bit tired. The staff at the Hotel were all great, very friendly helpful, the house keeper was very informative about the building we enjoyed talking to her about the history of the building. A great location for visiting the bay, a short walk to car parks.

4

Gareth

Nov 1, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

When we checked in, the bbc were filming in the lobby. We were made to feel very uncomfortable from the start with staff stopping our taxi driving to the hotel entrance to drop us off and reception staff said we couldnt check in early and we had to plead with the rude receptionist to allow us to leave our bags so that we could go into town for a few hours and return later. The other staff later in the day were nicer but she was very unpleasant. The filming was happening regularly so we had to be silent whenever near reception. Our room at a glance looked great. Very spacious. But the lighting was poor, very dark with only 2 dim spotlights in opposite corners for light. The bed was a small double, it was a squash for two average height, average weight people. The worst part was how cold the room was. The thermostat kept defaulting to 17, i had to get up multiple times during the night to adjust it as it was freezing. The bathroom fan was not working and as a result there was a lot of damp on the ceiling. Overall a very disappointing stay as the place has real sentimental value to us as a couple but this stay was not to our expectations. We were made to feel unwelcome for the majority of the stay.

10

Janice

Jun 2, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent grand old hotel with superior staff.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Very convenient for Cardiff Bay, Mermaid Quay and the Millennium Centre, with many sights walkable and transport nearby. Some note messy or construction‑affected surroundings and, in certain rooms, street or site noise.

Related guest reviews

10

David

Jul 13, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

This beautifully maintained property was a highlight of our trip. What a lovely job they they done in transforming it into a modern hotel with all of the conveniences. The full breakfast was especially appreciated. It’s located within walking distance of the Mermaid Quay and a number of appealing restaurants.

10

Marc

Jul 9, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location next to Cardiff Bay resteraunts and shot uber to city centre

10

christina

Jun 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is far nicer than it appears. Steeped in history its an honour to be able to stay there. Sadly the area that its in has been neglected for years and years and the rubbish in the streets does it no favours. Its just a short walk to the waterfront which has had a great makeover, or a quick bus ride to the city

6

FT

Aug 7, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Back side of hotel totally derilict. Parts of it don’t even have a roof . Very very messy on the perimeter of the hotel , it’s been like that for years .

8

David

Jan 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was nice and big with a comfortable bed and a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath. We had a good night’s sleep and felt rested in the morning. Very convenient location for the WMC and the restaurants in the Bay.

10

Nicholas

Nov 17, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Enormous rooms, convenient location and friendly staff.

10

Nicola

Jul 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location In a quiet part of the town yet only 10 mins walk to mermaid quay with all the shops restaurants and attractions of Cardiff Bay . Beautiful Hotel with plenty of history and character but still retaining a touch of class. 😊 Staff very friendly and welcoming. The only moan i have is we ordered prosecco and it didnt come in an ice bucket and was a bit warm when we arrived as our train was delayed.

6

Fred

Jul 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The Coal Exchange is an historical building in Cardiff, Wales, but it is in an old area of the city and the streets around thus hotel is not being maintained by the city and is a disgrace. Trash everywhere around the building except for the very front of the building. Air conditioning is non existent and replaced by fans.

10

Deborah

Dec 17, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Location is excellent short walk to the amenities of cardiff bay. Close to train station.

8

noreen

Sep 2, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

Second time staying at this hotel, both times we booked the same rate/size room but the stays varied massively. This time the room was ground floor round the back of the hotel, opposite a building site and very noisy day/night. At night there were cars outside with loud music blasting until early hours. During the day, builders looking into the room (no privacy film on windows) so we kept curtains closed. Carpet was stained and dirty, furniture, skirting, everything was dusty. No working fan (no window either) in bathroom so very steamy after a shower. First stay was fantastic. Lovely clean room on first floor, clean bathroom, on the front of the building so no noise. Very disappointing second time round especially as we paid almost £900. However, the staff we have met have been consistently lovely. The ladies who greet and serve breakfast are such lovely, attentive and kind women who always made an effort to speak to us and greet our daughter with nothing short of kindness. I didn’t get their names but they were both absolutely lovely! Thank you for taking the time to talk to our little girl and make her feel very special. Staff at reception were also friendly. Great location. The bay is a couple of minutes walk away and there are plenty of parking options. Lots to do locally.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast is often praised and the on‑site restaurant receives strong feedback from several guests. However, quality can vary, with reports of average or cold items, burnt coffee, and occasional bar/service issues.

Related guest reviews

4

Phil

Nov 5, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Unfortunately there was an event on and the morning after rigging/ Camara crew were so noisy in for breakfast Restaurant staff were inexperienced and why have spoons left in mugs that are taken from the table filled then brought back with spoons still left in them, food mediocre and lukewarm On check in put monies on room but at the small bar the bar staff could not work till so I paid with card and then on check out reception tried to make me pay again for the drinks. It was only when I showed him on my phone that the money had been taken from my account and wanted to speak to a manager that he conceded. All round I think there is a need for some training/retraining in some areas. Not one of our best stays.

10

Danielle

Aug 1, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Such a beautiful old historic building… we loved our stay. Food was amazing, breakfast was NEXT LEVEL…. Soooo impressed

10

Jacqueline

Dec 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Grabbed a last minute break away. Staff were friendly and hotel was nice with lots of history. Booked breakfast can’t say it was excellent just average hotel buffet. They could do with labels on maybe a tray to sit tea and coffee jugs on as unless you ask staff you don’t know which is which.

10

joanne

Aug 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

beautiful breakfast

10

Jacqueline

Dec 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Weekend away with the girls perfect triple room great location. Comport beds lovely staff. Breakfast superb.

10

Rea

Aug 29, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Myself and my sons thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Room was unique and the jacuzzi bath was an amazing addition. We ate at the restaurant which was stunning. Best food ive eaten in a long time with beautiful surroundings. Very helpful and friendly staff. Cant wait to stay again.

10

Larissa

Nov 27, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The breakfast wasn't great, especially the coffee, which was burnt. The hotel isn't heated, so you have to ask for a portable heater, but I think adding an electric heater to each room should work. Other than that, it was an amazing stay, great comfortable bed, in a striking décor and architecture. The staff were lovely!

4

Kayleigh

Nov 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff on front desk were very friendly. Checked in early and left bags at reception. Bags were up in room when we came back which was helpful. However, room was a disappointment. It smelt of wet dog. Clumps of hair in the bath, a safety pin was left on the desk, kettle covered in dust. Stayed in the presedential suite and wish we hadnt. Wind whistled through the windows all night. Beds were uncomfortable and hard. Breakfast wasnt great either, items had been there a while and the bread was stale from being left out for so long. Stayed a few times previously and had no problems before. Staff were friendly and helpful, but the room needs a good clean.

6

Jack

Jan 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room 137 directly above restaurant/bar - noisy until well after midnight. Great breakfast and comfortable otherwise - just asknif your room is above the bar!

8

Mary

Jun 6, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The Coal Exchange is a beautiful old building with gorgeous ceilings and dark wood throughout. Our rooms were spacious and comfortable. The place could use an update (pretty dusty, old paint, the wifi didnt work? But it served our needs. The restaurant is fabulous!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$96
February	$110
March	$105
April	$91
May	$92
June	$134
July	$116
August	$101
September	$124
October	$125
November	$168
December	$108

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4 $106	5 $186
6 $56	7 $60	8 $83	9 $129	10 $56	11 $105	12 $169
13 $56	14 $135	15 $147	16 $147	17	18 $61	19 $173
20 $70	21 $61	22 $61	23 $67	24 $132	25 $61	26 $149
27 $130	28 $70	29 $74	30 $74

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $142	2 $156	3
4 $339	5 $138	6 $86	7 $86	8 $85	9 $107	10 $169
11 $72	12 $69	13 $82	14 $82	15 $80	16 $129	17 $172
18 $71	19 $135	20 $134	21 $81	22 $84	23 $129	24 $181
25 $70	26 $69	27 $82	28 $82	29 $80	30 $129	31 $173

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Monthly average prices

About this property

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What guests think

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