The Old Motor Shop

The Old Motor Shop: Cardiff

Just a fifteen-minute walk from Penarth's seafront, beach and pretty pier, this stylish modern home is part of a period building with a surprising past. A landmark in the town for the past century, it was once a motor repair shop and petrol station. Recently converted to luxury apartments, there's plenty of the Art Deco exterior left for fans of design and architecture – nowhere more so than the communal courtyard to the rear.

Set over two floors, this home boasts panoramic rooftop views from its huge living room windows and a really high-end finish. Styled to perfection with parquet flooring, sumptuous furnishings and a contemporary kitchen, it's a classy home with plenty of room for up to six. We particularly love the bright bedrooms, with their comfy, oversize beds and ensuite bathrooms, and there's even a small balcony so there's somewhere to sip your coffee in the sunshine.

Just a ten-minute drive from the bright lights of Cardiff, there's plenty to see and do just here if you're looking for a seaside break, and there are all sorts of places to eat and drink in the neighbourhood. And if you're missing your fitness routine, this place has the perfect solution thanks to an arrangement with the gym on the ground floor.

Home truths:
*The fifth and sixth guest would be sleeping on the sofa bed in the living room
*This home isn't considered suitable for infants under two
*Perhaps unsurprisingly, there's an underground parking garage in the building – you'll have one allocated space
*The beds are zip and link so you can request them to be set up as twins if you prefer
*The home is spread across the first and second floor
* Gym access is available to all guests over the age of eighteen during normal hours – you'll need to show some identification
*You'll need to be mindful of the neighbours and not make too much noise – quiet hours are between 10 pm and 8 am
*The host has similar homes in the building so get in touch if you'd like to book as a larger group