Nadine Aburas, 28, was found at the city's Future Inn on 31 December, 2014.
US national Sammy Almahri, 44, appeared via video link at Newport Crown Court to deny her murder.
He was remanded in custody until a further hearing later this month and a provisional trial date has been set for October.
A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a Cardiff woman whose body was found in a hotel room.