Hotel reviewers are constantly being contacted by public relations people with news about the latest wonderful “boutique” property. If there isn't a sumptuous boutique opening in Athens, there almost certainly will be one opening in Gloucestershire.

Unbelievably, I was once told about a boutique near the gyratory system on the North Circular in Ealing. “It's a really lovely boutique,” the PRs kept telling me.

Jolyon's Boutique Hotel advertises itself as a “premier Cardiff Hotel offering superb luxury accommodation in Cardiff opposite the millinum [sic] centre”. The fact that “millennium” was spelt so badly got my hackles up. So did the anodyne, clichéd hotel slogan: “Arrive a customer, leave a friend.”

This made me suspicious. Was this really going to be a boutique hotel? Boutiques, an expert on such matters once told me, should be small, quirky, stylish and have personal service. Would this “premier, superb, luxury” place fit the bill?

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Well, it was certainly small: only six rooms. It was also personal: Jolyon himself took my booking over the phone, and dealt with check-in. It seemed to be stylish, too.

Jolyon (not knowing he was with Mystery Guest) showed me through a lobby decorated with abstract art and two grey leather sofas and up to my room. When I asked if I should pay in advance since I was leaving early the next day, I was told to “pay the pizza girls”. The pizza girls, I gathered, worked at a pizza bar in the basement.

My room had a big bed, green curtains, a Frisbee-shaped mirror, ornate wooden sideboard, a kettle with fresh coffee, some sweets on the sideboard, and a large tiled bathroom. From my window, I had a view of a taxi rank and a pub called the Packet Hotel.

The windowsill held two small red cacti. In the garden, there was decking for drinkers to spill out on to from the downstairs bar. A pink fairground dodgem car sat near by. All this was quite quirky, so Jolyon's passed this boutique hotel test as well.

Feeling hungry, I tried the pizza bar. The pizza girls were smiley and wore baseball caps. There were red sofas, red candles, modern art and games of backgammon on coffee tables. My pizza was chunky and just what I was after.

As I was eating, a group of revellers entered and ordered cocktails. They began singing songs, in a rather Welsh way. One of the pizza girls looked at me and mouthed: “Sorry.” But I didn't mind. Jolyon's may be just another “boutique”... but at least it's a fun one.

Bottom line Mystery Guest paid £89 for a B&B double

Sampling the fare £10 for pizza and beer.

Best thing Quirkiness

Worst thing No desk in room

Need to know Jolyon’s Boutique Hotel (02920 488775, www.jolyons.co.uk), Bute Crescent, Cardiff CF10 5AN

Room 6.5 out of 10

Food 8 out of 10

Service 7 out of 10

Value 7.5 out of 10

Score 7.25

PUT TO THE TEST: 20 Mystery Guest questions for... Jolyon's Boutique Hotel, Cardiff

1. Do rooms have kettles/coffee makers? And is there fresh milk?

Yes and fresh milk can be requested on arrival or at any other time.

2. Is there a hairdryer, and is it fixed to a wall?

Yes, handheld.

3. Are coathangers metal, wooden, removable?

Wooden, removeable.

4. Complimentary bottle of water?

Yes, on request.

5. Sheets and blankets or duvets?

Either on request.

6. What about a 'pillow menu'?

"Allergy-free pillow" are available.

7. Is lighting good enough for reading?

Yes.

8. Is there a shaving/make up mirror? And is it well lit?

Yes.

9. What about the in-room entertainment system?

IPod docking bays, radio, satellite TV, DVDs on request from reception, PSPs on request.

10. Is there a temperature control panel?

On the radiators.

11. Do the windows open?

Yes.

12. Is there good sound-proofing?

Yes, OK.

13. Is there wi-fi internet access?

Yes.

14. Is there a good place to go jogging nearby?

Along the bay.

15. What is the vegetarian food selection like?

Good. The owner, Jolyon, is a vegetarian.

16. Is there baby listening/babysitting? And are children welcome at adults' evening meals?

No children under the age of 13 accepted.

17. Is there wheelchair access to all areas?

Access by ramp to one downstairs room. "The building is grade II-listed, so access to some parts is difficult".

18. Do you get a free paper in the morning?

If requested.

19. Is there a pub round the corner?

There is a pub/bar in the basement. This was recently voted "bar of the year" in the Western Mail & Echo.

20. Is there free car parking? And is it secure?

"Free parking on gravel path", not secure.

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