Barry's Hotel, St. Mary Street, Cardiff - An engraving taken from 'The Ports of the Bristol Channel' published in 1893. which also describes the hotel thus : -
Barry's Hotel, St. Mary Street, Cardiff. Proprietress : Mrs. M. A. Barry. - This establishment was opened in 1888, and the business has been carefully and successfully developed until it is now an important and leading one of its kind. The hotel occupies a prominent position, and is conveniently located for all classes of visitors, being close to the Great Western Railway Station. The premises consist of an imposing stone structure of four storeys height, built of Bath stone and ornamented with polished red granite columns, and having a frontage of sixty-feet into St. Mary Street. Proceeding by the main entrance on the ground floor, one comes to an extensive and exceedingly handsome restaurant. This apartment is about sixty feet long by twenty feet wide. The floor is paved with mosaic tiles, and the walls are paneled with painted tiles representing romantic and picturesque places and artistic "bits" in various parts of the Kingdom. The room is magnificently fitted up with mirrors, glass, sideboards, marble-top counter, and silver grill, while a fountain imparts a delicious coolness to the place. Adjacent is the dining-room, which is sixty feet by twenty feet in dimensions, has fine stained-glass windows, and affords ample accommodation for one hundred and fifty guests. A fountain is likewise playing here. Close at hand is the carving department, fitted up with the newest things in carving and heated tables. The commercial-room is on the first floor, and is charmingly upholstered in saddle velvet, and adjoining is a nice writing and reading room. The coffee-room is furnished in the antique style, and the tables are tastefully ornamented. This room is lighted by four fine windows, and splendid views can be obtained of the Bristol Channel and the surrounding neighbourhood. The smoke-room is large and comfortable, and is provided with chess-tables and every requisite and convenience. The bedrooms on the second floor are about forty in number, and are neatly furnished in the same comfortable manner. The kitchen is on the roof, whereby the objectionable smell of cooking which pervades some hotels is altogether avoided. The kitchen is forty feet square, and built entirely of white vitrified bricks. The hotel offers every convenience both to commercial men and private visitors, and neither in excellence of service or moderate charges can "Barry's" be readily beaten. The catering leaves nothing to be desired, all the delicacies of the season being every day provided. The department is presided over by three experienced chefs, while the wants and wishes of the guests are attended to by a well-trained staff of close upon forty waiters and waitresses. The sanitary arrangements of the establishment are perfect. A hydraulic lift by Waygood, of London, conveys persons and luggage from one floor to another, and the entire premises, from roof to cellar, are illuminated by electricity, no gas being used. Mrs. Barry, the genial and able proprietress, spares no pins to give satisfaction to her patrons. Without being obtrusive, her influence is felt in the management of the hotel down to the smallest detail, and to her care, forethought, and administrative skill the marked success and increasing popularity of this hotel is mainly due.' [316]
