Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A holidaymaker was left furious after a hotel near Cardiff Aiport tried to charge him nearly £1,000 for parking because of the Champions League final.

Glynn Williams, 46, flies every year at the start of June and normally books a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Rhoose for the night before his trip – as well as a week’s parking for when he’s on holiday.

But this year he was left devastated when he was told his booking hadn’t gone through and if he wanted to park at the hotel he’d have to stump up £950 for a one-night stay.

Glynn, from Cardiff, said: “I was told it was £550 for the room and parking when I phoned up in March, so I just took the parking which cost £50.”

He said the hotel staff took his name and email but when he went to pay they said there was no need as he could do it nearer the time.

But when he phoned up recently before his trip to Benidorm with partner Nigel he was told there were no details of his booking – and he’d have to pay the increased price if he wanted the room for the night and would be able to park for the week for free.

He said: “I spoke to the manager and he remembered taking my booking but said there was no parking available as there was no room as they were fully booked.

“I went quiet and then started panicking.

“What would have happened if I turned up in June? I would have missed my flight.

“The manager just laughed when I said that and said I wasn’t the only person this has happened to.

“They said there’s nothing they can do. It isn’t right.”

A spokeswoman for Holiday Inn Express said: “To make our car park more convenient and easier to use we have recently updated our parking policy so that the facility is only available for use for guests staying in the hotel.

“In this instance Mr Williams asked to reserve a space after this policy had been activated and was quoted a cost that took in to account one night’s stay in the hotel, parking facilities, and complimentary shuttle to and from the airport.

“As the night in question is on the day of the Champions League final, our daily rate has increased due to high demand and reflects other hotel rates in the area on the same day.”