I saw Oasis at Cardiff's Principality Stadium - here's one mistake not to make after a gig

Cardiff's Principality Stadium has boasted performances from some of the biggest celebrities in the world, from Oasis, The Rolling Stones, and Beyoncé to homegrown Welsh talent like Stereophonics and Tom Jones, who once staged a show there together. In fact, the Stereophonics even played the venue on the July 11-12 weekend, while it needs no introduction as the historic "home" of Wales's national rugby union team.

With the Welsh capital buzzing on gig nights with over 70,000 revellers, where should you stay? I've picked out three hotels, with the best one to choose depending on both your budget and the popularity of the artist playing, while also advising the one mistake you should never make. When Oasis played Cardiff, it was the band's first gig in 16 years and the reunion no one had thought possible, so hotels in the capital booked up quickly. Those with free rooms quickly raised their prices, often up to quadruple what dismayed punters would normally expect to pay.

Don't panic - the trick with hugely popular shows is to choose somewhere within commuting distance. So a location far away enough to deter the average gig-goer, but near enough to easily reach after the gig.

It took me just 36 minutes on the train to reach Neath, with the three-star Castle Hotel being just a minute's walk from the station. The market town might not be one of Wales's best-known locations, but it's surprisingly lively on weekends, with late nightclubs open if you want to continue the party atmosphere, and plenty of fast food shops for a post-gig re-fuel.

Most importantly, there are bargain prices you'd never get in Cardiff on the night of a major show.

It's even a great way of combining a gig with a weekend mini-break, as Neath is the gateway to the Brecon Beacons, with its famous waterfall and mountain hikes and world-class stargazing. Swansea and the wider coastline is nearby too, with epic beaches like my personal favourite, Three Cliffs Bay, looking more like St Lucia than the UK on a warm summer's day.

If driving, the Towers hotel in Swansea a little further west is even better situated for Three Cliffs - and there's a literal tower guests can stay in, with suites set within the impressive structure just opposite the main building.

If travelling to Neath by train, be sure to get going as soon as the gig is over as a queuing system operates outside the station and delays are inevitable. But if you time it right, you could be cosying up in a four-poster bed at a bargain price that won't bruise your bank balance.

However, if the artist is a little less iconic, or money is no object for this occasion and you want to splurge, the Parkgate Hotel is the obvious place to stay as it's literally right next to the stadium and will get you "home" after the show in record-breaking time.

It took me the best part of 10 minutes just to be able to leave the venue after Oasis, with the swarming crowds hugely slowing down the pace, so to be able to just dive into a nearby building after emerging outside would be a huge relief for any music fan.

You could spend the entire weekend here, with the Michelin Guide-listed and two AA Rosette-awarded restaurant The Sorting Room (set in a former post office) offering delicious meals, and the adjoining bar providing live music on Saturday nights.

The hotel also offers mouth-watering concert dining packages every time a major artist is in town, with a three-course set menu costing a reasonable £45.

Then there's a hidden gem which is perhaps too often overlooked - the Marriott, which is barely a two-minute walk from Cardiff Central train station in case you need to leave early the next morning to get back to work.

It's within walking distance of the stadium too, taking around 10 minutes, while you'll be equally close to the city's castle - a major source of local pride - and plenty of independent shops, arcades and restaurants.

However, fans might want to make their way to Browns Brasserie, which has delicious cocktails and meals and stays open until 11pm, potentially allowing for late-night dining after one of the stadium's shows.

It's a first-class option, but fans should place a booking speedily as soon as concert dates are unveiled to be able to snap up the best prices.