Thistle City Barbican Reviews

second time at the thistle as a place...
second time at the thistle as a place to meet mates, drink and then stay overnight. rooms look a little tired but everything works. friendly, helpful staff. good breakfast but it can get a bit chaotic with the Brits patiently queuing for a table and everyone else just sidling by!
Reviewed by michael senior; Reviewed in May 2010

On arrival at the hotel the reception area...
On arrival at the hotel the reception area was clean, modern and smartly decorated, which gave me some encouragement for my stay at the hotel. The staff were accommodating, friendly, efficient and very helpful but unfortunately that's where my good experience ended. The single room I had booked was very basic, disappointing and not worth the £175 I paid for one night stay. In hindsight I would have been better opting for a cheap B&B which I had considered before choosing the Thistle City Barbican. There was no chair provided to work at the desk in the room and the wardrobe and set of draws were unpolished and looked like they had been in the room for years. No shampoo was provided in the bathroom and the room was very small, claustrophobic and reminiscing of a prison cell.I also paid and additional £10.95 for a buffet breakfast and it was not a pleasant experience. I arrived for breakfast at 9.30am to find a very small selection of fresh fruit, low portions or no selection of mushrooms, eggs and tomatoes. Trying to get a cup of tea was an amusing experience and I’m still yet to find the fruit juice or fresh water. On the whole a very bad experience.
Reviewed by j jamison; Reviewed in May 2010

Overall I was happy but I thought the...
Overall I was happy but I thought the room was a bit small and the decoration a bit dated. We would have liked bedside lamps to read with. The staff tried to help but could not find a solution. The staff were all friendly and helpful and from overseas!Another little criticism, we found it hard to find our room. The signs could be clearer. Also down in the swimming pool area there was no loo paper in the ladies room and it looked a bit run down, ie one shower head was broken.
Reviewed by w savage; Reviewed in May 2010

This is the only hotel I have ever...
This is the only hotel I have ever stayed at in the world where I had to queue for breakfast. The breakfast was self serve & way overpriced at between £10 - £16. People were waiting 20mins for coffee/tea after queuing for 15 mins to be seated. I can see no excuse for this.The room was small & pretty clean looking but the bathroom looked tatty. Certain 'facilities' e.g. iron, didn't work.I have honestly had better experiences in bed & breakfast accommodation at a third of the price.
Reviewed by Jan C; Reviewed in May 2010

Grim - avoid if possible lt br gt...
Grim - avoid if possibleBadly in need of refurbishmentGood location but terrible rooms - shower barely functional.I'm a Brit and I am ashamed that tourists are subjected to this crapFirst time stayed I thought I was unlucky, second time confirmed I would rather sleep in the street!
Reviewed by William C; Reviewed in May 2010

I walked in then walked out It's a...
I walked in then walked out.. It's a hole
Reviewed by John P; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Don't normally fill in reviews but after staying...
Don't normally fill in reviews, but after staying at this hotel in Building 2, I felt I had to. I arrived late at around 11.30pm, and needed bed so did not go down and complan (should have really, but I did in the morning). The corridors smelt and once in the room, the toilet water was light brown, unpleasant to say the least. There is obviously something wrong with the water works, a few people were complaing in the morning also. The furniture is looking tired and looked no way like the pictures! Glad I only payed £100, any Premier Inn is far more pleasant. The breakfast was tasteless, do they use propoer eggs in their scrambled eggs?
Reviewed by Mark N; Reviewed in Apr 2010

I would strongly recommend anyone looking for business...
I would strongly recommend anyone looking for business accomodation in London look elsewhere. The Thistle Barbican provided one of the worst hotel experiences I have had in a number of years. Aside from a ludicrous check in that took over 20 minutes (this, having been told we only had 20 minutes in which to place a food order) the hotel were not able to provide a twin room despite that having been specified and checked at booking. The room that we did get smelt as if someone had died in it and when we went to change it were told 'there was only one room left in the hotel, so if that wasn't to our satisfaction they wouldn't be able to help us'. The food which we had to pleed to get was overpriced and pretty inedible and the whole experience one I am keen to forget. The shower and bathroom were awful - the temperature uncontrollably hot or cold in the shower - neither enjoyable, and they even failed to be able to call a taxi promptly for us in the morning. My advice to others - if you want a good night sleep and a comfortable and clean hotel, then look elsewhere.
Reviewed by Catherine Hawkins; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Modern Hotel central areas clean and bright although...
Modern Hotel, central areas clean and bright although the room decoration was looking a little tired. However it turned out to be a good location for my stay with a good English Pub round one corner and a very good fish restaurant just round the next corner. Would stay again.
Reviewed by F McKee; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Good location smart reception areas efficient reception staff...
Good location, smart reception areas, efficient reception staff. We were in the block across the road from reception and internally it seemed austere and obviously in need of a refurbishment. The lift floor was filthy. We asked for a non-smoking room and were told 'The hotel is non-smoking' but the room stank of smoke. We asked for a different room and reception said they could 'refresh' the room. We insisted on a change which was granted. Our bedroom was fine but one of the sink taps was wobbly. The room was really hot and we couldn't open the window - an uncomfortable night's sleep unfortunatley.
Reviewed by Derek Evans; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Good value for London Friendly staff especially the...
Good value for London. Friendly staff especially the chap in the leisure centre who always makes you feel welcome. I had a very nice room this time; they do vary, some do need a lick of paint and the odd repair, but this is only a 3-star hotel after all (even though the foyer + facilities make it feel like more than that.) Downsides: location is not great - no decent supermarket, shop, pub etc. nearby - but this keeps the price down I suspect. And there is usually a queue to check in & out, allow 5-10 minutes for this. They often don't have your booking, or make mistakes (mine was nearly billed to some other company) so make sure you have your booking details and check your bill. But these things don't detract from this being an upmarket-feeling hotel without the £200+ price tag.
Reviewed by Matthew H; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Great accomodation and the restaurant was better than...
Great accomodation and the restaurant was better than I expected with a varied menu, so no trawling the street looking for somewhere to eat.
Reviewed by B Evans; Reviewed in Apr 2010

This hotel is on a good location for...
This hotel is on a good location for me but it is very tired and I find when booking through an agency the rooms are of a poorer quality. The gym is good but can be busy at peak times
Reviewed by f austin; Reviewed in Apr 2010

I had a lovely room no problems there...
I had a lovely room, no problems there. Have stayed before (and still got lost finding the place!) and booked again so that I could use the swimming pool & facilities - was very disappointed when I found out they wern't available.
Reviewed by Sarah K; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Have to say I thought the accomodation was...
Have to say I thought the accomodation was very substandard and no where near worth the cost. The room was like a shoe box with many faulty bits of equipment and not as clean as I would expect.I would question it's star rating for this hotel.
Reviewed by jaclyn c; Reviewed in Apr 2010

I would rate the Hotel room as most...
I would rate the Hotel/room as most suitable for a short city weekend business/leisure break.Cost with discount included gave good value for money and made the hotel more than competive on price with other hotels of this standard i.e. 3 star. My partner and I would be quite happy to stay at this hotel in the future for a weekend break.
Reviewed by D Bryan; Reviewed in Apr 2010

We booked a Standart room but the room...
We booked a Standart room but the room was ridiculously small, almost claustrophobic! We vividly complained at reception and luckily the staff were nice and put us in a larger room. While I was waiting at reception I saw many other customers complaining about the same and I noticed that some customers were offered a free upgrade to a larger room but others had to pay 20 pounds!Regarding the food... really appalling! Too expensive for cheap, microwaved food! Better to go for a MacDonald's!
Reviewed by Helena d; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Booked very late All staff offered a high...
Booked very late. All staff offered a high quality of customer service. Room clean and functional. Very pleased with the value for money as a late booking.
Reviewed by Alan Jordan; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Well i read reveiws of this hotel and...
Well i read reveiws of this hotel and thought oh no i have made a mistake by booking it. We went down to the hotel around 2 o'clock just to see what to expect. The reception area is very nice and looks like a 4* hotel should, upon check in was also offered the upgrade to superior for £20 pounds for the both us. The hotel had been cheap so i thought why not. So we goes to the room, we were put right next to an emergency exit which the door didnt seem to shut so we thought oh no where going to get a lot of noise, but it was only early morning where we had any noise coming from there. Anyways we go into the room expecting it to be a bit old and shoddy. The room was actually fine a little on the small side but not bad. Ok the room may have done with a lick of paint an a little update, but it was actually a very nice room have no copmplaints about it all. Had a very nice bathroom. There was a very nice telly which all worked perfectly well. The area was fine and no problems at all. Enjoyed the stay got a good nights sleep on a comfy bed and would recommend it for the price i paid (£65 in all). But for those who pay the full room rate of £220 with breakfast maybe a bit disapointing as for the price there is probably a lot more to offer from other hotels in London.
Reviewed by Liam J; Reviewed in Apr 2010

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Reviewed by Ciaran O; Reviewed in Apr 2010

N A ...
N/A
Reviewed by Alison F; Reviewed in Apr 2010

By far the cheapesr decent accom I could...
By far the cheapesr (decent) accom I could find in London this night. Very touristy hotel by great for NE London.
Reviewed by A Thomas; Reviewed in Apr 2010

I think you can get better value for...
I think you can get better value for your money. I had a small issue with my card at arrival and the girl on reception wasn't very accommodating. Room was quite dated and gaudy. Think you can get better value for your money elsewhere. Swimming pool was lovely.
Reviewed by Michelle m; Reviewed in Apr 2010

Nil ...
Nil
Reviewed by N Skelton; Reviewed in Apr 2010

For the price the hotel was very good...
For the price, the hotel was very good, no issues with the quality of the rooms, service etc.It could be a coincidence, but the same night after eating dinner at the hotel restaurant, I suffered severe food poisoning. Suffice to say, I won't be staying there again!
Reviewed by samantha h; Reviewed in Apr 2010

We booked a twin room and got a...
We booked a twin room and got a double bed. The women at reception was not very helpful. She said take or leave it, or upgrade. We booked a Month in advance and were very upset. I don't know how many colleagues want to sleep together in a Double bed.The restaurant was very good and the food excellent. Pity the people at reception are not really happy to help customers.
Reviewed by Z Ahmed; Reviewed in Mar 2010

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Reviewed by A Armiger; Reviewed in Mar 2010

We were impressed and delighted with the service...
We were impressed and delighted with the service and facilities at this hotel. We were given a 6th floor South-facing room where no high-rise buildings obstruct the view. We had full use of an excellent Spa centre with swimming pool. The situation was ideal for walking to the Barbican Centre and the Museum of London and is central to many other London landmarks.
Reviewed by S Haysom; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Having travelled from Manchester I was looking forward...
Having travelled from Manchester I was looking forward to arriving at the hotel. Ariving at Euston I walked down to the hotel in the rain. On arriving at the hotel I was shocked to discover that the hotel did not have a room for us ! This was explained away by 'computer problems'. The solution the hotel was to stick us in a taxi and send us a much inferior hotel near Euston station (The Bloomsbury Park). The hotel we booked had swimming facilities and a spa which we intended to use. The replacement hotel did not. Overall the experience was a disaster and spoiled the trip me and my daughter had so much looked forward to.
Reviewed by patricia B; Reviewed in Mar 2010

was a perfect location for me if you...
was a perfect location for me if you are in city or east end. great value for money, not the fanciest place but all in all a good deal
Reviewed by john m; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Excellent customer service and a very clean and...
Excellent customer service and a very clean and welcoming reception/dining/bar area which has clearly had money spent on it. The rooms however are dated and very tired looking with bathrooms that are just not acceptable in this day and age. The actual rooms are worse than a standard travel inn/lodge or premier inn. Whilst it's always nice to have a leisure complex attached and all the necessary gym equipment was there it matched the rooms in that it was old and tatty. The pool at 15m is more of a plunge pool but the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi where all very good. I certainly wouldn't pay full price for this hotel and would only use it on the fact that has some good facilities but I guess I only needed the room to pretty much crash in!
Reviewed by Damon T; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Good points lt br gt Smart public areas...
Good points:Smart public areasFriendly and efficient staffBad points:Tiny room with a single bed - I couldn't have worked in itBasic tv channels onlyNot particularly close to Barbican despite the nameNot particularly close to any tube station
Reviewed by D Wainwright; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Being the Thistle group my expectations were not...
Being the Thistle group my expectations were not huge but i expected a room on par with maybe a travel lodge/travel inn however the room was decored very old, the water was not hot but luke warm and the bed sheets did not fit to the extent they were nearly on the floor when i woke. I complained and was given a discount straight away which makes me think they are very aware of the poor state of the rooms
Reviewed by k laban; Reviewed in Mar 2010

I was very disappointed with this hotel the...
I was very disappointed with this hotel, the rooms were in need of decorating, paper ripped and damp staining on the roof gave an overall impression of being tatty - Safe didn't work and when we notified reception they said they would send someone but nobody came, so had to carry our belongings with us at all times. The rooms were far too hot but air conditioning did not work in one of our rooms. The staff were however very pleasant and the breakfast was good.
Reviewed by Judith B; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Room was a tad small even for a...
Room was a tad small even for a single room but it was clean and comfortable and the service, food etc. were all fine. Wouldn't have a problem staying there again.
Reviewed by P Brookes; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Dirty bathroom very small room I had to...
Dirty bathroom, very small room. I had to queue for breakfast for 15 minutes. Definately not worth the £140 per night I paid!
Reviewed by T Chapman; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Scruffy tired room and bathroom for ish -...
Scruffy tired room and bathroom for £140ish :-(
Reviewed by Iain B; Reviewed in Mar 2010

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Reviewed by vincent l; Reviewed in Mar 2010

For in London I guess you cannot expect...
For £80 in London I guess you cannot expect too much! The room was small, clean ish but was obviously used as a smoking room as it did not smell particularly pleasant! The worst was the bathroom when you put the shower on, it seemed to be smoking its own cigarette. OK as a place to crash for a night but not where you would like to spend more time. They also need to re-decorate as the wallpaper was peeling off. The bar area was very nice and relaxing however, so not all bad!!
Reviewed by Emma D; Reviewed in Mar 2010

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Reviewed by angela breckenridge; Reviewed in Mar 2010

ok ...
ok
Reviewed by sergio abad escribano; Reviewed in Mar 2010

A very pleasant hotel with lovely receptionist who...
A very pleasant hotel with lovely receptionist who upgraded me to a deluxe room at no extra cost. The hotel is approx a 10 minute walk from Old Street underground station (which looks a bit grim). Lovely pool with steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. Quite a central hotel.
Reviewed by P Close; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Looking at the web site the photos and...
Looking at the web site the photos and information on the site, you think you are going to be staying a lovely hotel... This hotel is in two halves, one side where the reception / pool / bar is, isn't that bad but book with Late Rooms you will get the other side of the hotel which gives you accommodation which is equivalent to a hostel. I was extremely disappointed. Apparently this half of the hotel used to be student accommodation - well you can tell. For £125 if was dirty decor, cold water, no hairdryer, broken locks on doors - to top it off, £8.90 for a glass of wine.... its day light robbery. My advise is - NEVER stay in this hotel.
Reviewed by K Harrison; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Reception could not find our reservation but dealt...
Reception could not find our reservation but dealt with the situation well, honouring the rate and included breakfast.Would not have chosen to have breakfast in the hotel, however the cooked breakfast was very good. Being very busy may have helped with need to refill buffet which was done promptly. Waitress attentive with a great smile.
Reviewed by John G; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Really appreciated the glass of wine on arrival...
Really appreciated the glass of wine on arrival; it was a nice, touching welcome. The service was excellent and nothing seemed too much trouble. All the staff were most helpful - well done. The courtsey car to the City in the morning was well driven and certainly a useful amenity. Many thanks for a short but enjoyable stay in your Hotel.
Reviewed by A Webdale; Reviewed in Mar 2010

Handy having a small pool to relax in...
Handy having a small pool to relax in after a busy day in the city. Most central London locations do not have this. Otherwise, an unremarkable hotel.
Reviewed by Dave W; Reviewed in Mar 2010

The hotel is of star quality Our room...
The hotel is of 3 star quality. Our room was very tired and needed refurbishment. Beds not especially comfortable, but adequate. Breakfast was surprisingly good, although queues were quick to develop. Check in and out were both efficient and staff were very accommodating. The hotel is OK for an overnight stay if the tariff is low, it's not worth paying full rate. The worst aspect is the location which is in a very drab part of the City and some distance from the Tube.
Reviewed by Ian R; Reviewed in Mar 2010

really nice hotel for the price great to...
really nice hotel for the price, great to have full use of sauna/jaccuzzi/pool/gym throughout stay, nice a relaxing. Staff all really nice and helpful.
Reviewed by catherine salt; Reviewed in Mar 2010

We had a very pleasant room in the...
We had a very pleasant room (in the newer part) which was very clean and comfortable. The room was small but then it had everything we needed and it was only for 1 night so the size of the room didn't matter. I had a treatment in the spa which was very good. For breakfast, we ate across the road in the cafe which was very good and cheap as we thought £15 for breakfast in the hotel was a bit much. I would stay there again. Staff were polite. No complaints especially as we got a good deal and it was close to where we needed to go.
Reviewed by Jade C; Reviewed in Mar 2010

The best thing about this hotel is the...
The best thing about this hotel is the staff - they could not be any more charming. All of the standard rooms are in the bit of the hotel other people have complained about. but I was given a room in the main hotel so didn't see this side. My room was very pleasant with the exception of being above a noisy boiler. The food is the worst part - do not eat here - especially not breakfast - you will be disappointed - there are plenty of places near by where you could get breakfast that is hot!
Reviewed by B Robinson; Reviewed in Feb 2010

They just havent got it right I asked...
They just havent got it right. I asked if i needed to reserve a table for dinner; "no". There wasn't one - so I had to wait. Service in the restaurant was slow and poor. Service at the bar was non-existent. I made a simple request at breakfast [which costs over £15, so not cheap]; can I have a cappucino? "Only if you pay extra"...! Good grief; if Travel Inn can do this, why cant Thistle.
Reviewed by p spaven; Reviewed in Feb 2010

I found my stay at Thistle excellent service...
I found my stay at Thistle excellent , service in the restaurants was excellent as was the food.Old Street is within easy reach of the hotel with good connections. There is no shuttle at weekends and this needs to be more clearly stated on the website.My room was not in the new-build, but it was very comfortable and clean. I do think security needs to be more vigilant as the door was open during the day with no visible staff presenceRoom service was excellent and the sandwich I ordered certainly tasted good long queues at for breakfast ,could have been anticipated and extra space made aviailable.All in all I enjoyed my stay and would choose this hotel again for a short break
Reviewed by L Roberts; Reviewed in Feb 2010

The Hotel was easy to find from tube...
The Hotel was easy to find from tube station and fairly central for London, taking about 30 minutes from the hotel to get to theatre land. Rooms were small but comfortable, and very glad we upgraded for £20 to a larger room (have no idea how small the other room would have been though)
Reviewed by A Dean; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Having read some prior comments I was a...
Having read some prior comments, I was a little nervous upon check in, but found the hotel suited my needs, no more, no less. Granted, the room was smaller than most (two single beds) and the bathroom looked very tired and needed some attention. However, for my purpose of a reunion with some old pals around Old Street, it was a great location and concierge were very pleasant when we rocked up at 2 o'clock and the bar was shut. Strange thing was that his prices for alcohol were cheaper than the bar! double bonus. Also 12pm check out! triple bonus.In summery, if your looking for a quality 4 star hotel with attention to detail, and looking at staying in your room longer than most.....dont stay here. But, if you need a cheap alternative staying somewhere with no hassle, then this could be it. overall 5/10 from me.
Reviewed by Jonathan W; Reviewed in Feb 2010

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Reviewed by Eddy S; Reviewed in Feb 2010

The worst night's sleep I've had in a...
The worst night's sleep I've had in a London hotel (I stay in London every week).My floor was taken over by a group of about 60 Spanish teenagers running around, shouting etc. Not wanting to be a party-pooper I asked to be moved to another room, but the duty manager didn't even do me the courtesy of calling back. Got to sleep about 3 so felt pretty groggy next day.It's a shame as in other ways the hotel was good, with friendly staff e.g. in the bar, in the leisure centre and at breakfast (where the Maitre'd did seem genuinely sorry that I'd had a bad stay.) So on other days you might have a good stay here, but I won't chance it again, given that there are cheaper, quieter alternatives nearby.
Reviewed by Matthew H; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Helpful and friendly staff in the reception areas...
Helpful and friendly staff in the reception areas but the thiness of the walls made for a very disturbed night, being able to hear every word of conversations conducted in normal tones at 2 am.
Reviewed by Clare M; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Check in took a long time Breakfast was...
Check in took a long time. Breakfast was poorly organised. Not the best location for getting into centre compared to other hotels closer to more convenient tube stations.
Reviewed by A Gunn; Reviewed in Feb 2010

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Reviewed by i gascoigne; Reviewed in Feb 2010

We simply used the room as a base...
We simply used the room as a base for our visit to London. However, we did ask for a double bed room and ended up with two single beds.Cleanliness wasn't top noch and the furniture, especially the bathroom furniture looked uncared for and very worn. As stated in the title we merely slept and showered in the room so it was adequate for our requirements.
Reviewed by S Green; Reviewed in Feb 2010

The heating did not work in our room...
The heating did not work in our room, staff visited the room and told us that it was on a timer and would come on later (this was at midnight). When asked if this was for all rooms they said no just this but there was no other room available. A trip to reception had us moved to a nice warm room in minutes. I dont mind small problems, they are a part of life but I will not be lied to. I will not stay at this hotel by choice for this reason alone.
Reviewed by R Dudley; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Not a bad hotel Everyone was helpful and...
Not a bad hotel. Everyone was helpful and friendly and I had a good time there. I did not use the pool etc, but that is a great beniffit of this hotel. I got my room for about 90.00 per night, which i consider fairly good for London. The hotel is a little bit out of the way and about 5 - 10 minutes from the Barbican tube station.My room was small, but in London I expect that. the only negitive thing i can say is that the curtains needed to be replaced. Overall, good value for 90.00 sterlingMPD
Reviewed by Mark Dillon; Reviewed in Feb 2010

I got upgraded and stayed in a lovely...
I got upgraded and stayed in a lovely double room which was excellent value for money. It was clean and comfortable.Staff were friendly and courteous.I did not have the breakfast and went to the cafe opposite for a nice cooked breakfast for £5.
Reviewed by E Lindsay; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Firstly they didn't have my reservation Secondly the...
Firstly, they didn't have my reservation. Secondly, the room smelled musty and there were copious amounts of dust on the radiator. The club sandwich in the bar wasn't brilliant and the breakfast didn't impress either (when I ask for tea I expect a pot, not to have a mug poured for me and the pot to be removed!).And the location isn't great either.
Reviewed by Alastair B; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Paid through Laterooms for one night Booked a...
Paid £110 through Laterooms for one night. Booked a double room but got a twin, told it was policy when booking through Lateroom to give guests what was available. Wouldn't give me a double room so left with tiny single beds with pillows seemingly from a poorly-stocked dolls house! Corridors stank of what seemed to be school dinners. Decor is dated and scruffy but everything worked and was clean so no complaints there. Was disappointed by management's attitude though, after a long wait for check in I wasn't told of twin room at front desk, when I spoke to manager they didnt seem to care less even though I told them that their help on this occasion would mean I would feel happy recommending the hotel and using it again. Area is pretty gritty, in the middle of a lot of council housing high rise blocks but fairly central. I would only stay here again if I could guarantee a double bed and if the rate was under £70 - any more would feel like a rip-off.
Reviewed by Nick H; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Some prevoius reviews were critical of this city...
Some prevoius reviews were critical of this city centre hotel so arrived with a degree of fear. Arrival greeting and check-in were problem-free. Room on third floor was clean,larger than expected.warm,properly equipped with everything working-so far all ok! Full English breakfast was no as good as expected. No mushrooms and bacon was warm only so not too impressive but improved on subsequent days-rest of breakfast choices were there aplenty. Serving staff were attentive and polite and could understand what we wanted. Pool,sauna and steam room were great and not well used-their loss. After check out helpfull staff enabled case storage for rest of day with no problem or payment. Pity bus service to nearest Tube station wasn't offered at weekends-would save easy 10 minute walk. No hasitation staying there again when we return to London
Reviewed by C Billington; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Stop here most weeks and initially had a...
Stop here most weeks and initially had a few problems , but seems to be improving look at Davina on reception a real star and made the stay with her polite and customer focused service.......lets hope it stays like this
Reviewed by Anthony H; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Depressing ...
Depressing.
Reviewed by Simon H; Reviewed in Feb 2010

I thought that the Thistle City Barbican was...
I thought that the Thistle City Barbican was phenomenal, the staff were very helpful, the room was comfortable and large, and more importantly for me the value for money was jaw-droopingly good as I could have paid exactly the same amount to stay in an other hotel in Central London and it wouldn't be half the quality of this one.
Reviewed by Ben McAvoy; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Cannot believe some of the negative reviews about...
Cannot believe some of the negative reviews about this hotel. This is the third time we have stayed here and have never had a bad room though the room we had on our latest visit had to be the best. There was very little noise, room was very clean and comfortable and a good choice for breakfast. We would definately stay here again as it is so convenient for the City centre.
Reviewed by Peter Lyon; Reviewed in Feb 2010

With only a short walk to Angel or...
With only a short walk to Angel or Old Street tube stations, (Barbican was closed when I was there) this is convenient for getting into the city, without being too expensive.Nice swimming pool area as well. The restaurant looked okay, but at £15 for breakfast I wandered up to Al Pino's in Angel for a brilliant £5 breakfast instead.
Reviewed by Rodney R; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Was the dirtiest room we've stayed in for...
Was the dirtiest room we've stayed in for years. the hotel rooms need a remodel desperately. but at least it was cheap. i'd have been really narked if i'd paid more than that.
Reviewed by James V; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Could not complain about the nice room however...
Could not complain about the nice room, however there was no tea making facilities
Reviewed by M MCLEAN; Reviewed in Feb 2010

This is our third weekend break at this...
This is our third weekend break at this hotel with excellent central location. Staff were helpful - especially the cheerful concierge who sorted out car parking for us. We always enjoy the pool, jacuzzi etc. Room was fine though getting a bit worn - e.g. cracked basin. A very good Laterooms price made this a good deal for central London.
Reviewed by Anthony C; Reviewed in Feb 2010

mins walk from Old Street Tube Station so...
10 mins walk from Old Street Tube Station, so handy for City and West End. Good size room and bathroom, very clean. Pool available. Reception staff very sullen bordering on rude. Iron didnt work but soon replaced. Request bathrobes. Toiletries poor, take your own. dont pay for breakfast at £16 each, cafe over the road does large full english for £4.50.
Reviewed by LESLEYANN T; Reviewed in Feb 2010

The room was cramped but clean and functionally...
The room was cramped but clean and functionally everything was there and worked. As seems usual in hotels the TV channels weren't set up properly but BBC / ITV were OK.
Reviewed by Jonathan H; Reviewed in Feb 2010

This is the first time I have stayed...
This is the first time I have stayed at the Thistle Barbican and was bitterly disappointed. Major wait to check in. I ordered a taxi for an evening event giving plenty of notice - I was advised it had been booked but when I arrived at reception I was advised that no taxi had arrived . Fortunately a complete stranger in the same hotel was attending the same event and we shared a cab - otherwise I would have been waiting who knows how long?
Reviewed by Anne Malkin; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Breakfast has clearly declined as the most important...
Breakfast has clearly declined as the most important meal of day. Staff helpful food old motorway standard and not worth £15I came here because it is convenient There is a lot of choice so probably try somewhere else
Reviewed by a howie; Reviewed in Feb 2010

I thought the room was tired and shabby...
I thought the room was tired and shabby looking with peeling wallpaper, mould in the bathroom and frayed carpets, but the room had a huge flat screen TV, maybe they should spend the money on refurbing the room, rather than on big TV's.Window's wouldn't open and the room had a strong smell of damp. No other facilities in the room.I was travelling on my own and was put in a room 1 floor up in the annexe of the hotel, which involved either going in a lift or up 4 flights of stairs which i felt were unsafe especially as the annexe could be entered via an unlocked door. No assistance with lugguage offered, no wake up call and because I didn't have a credit card, i was made to feel like a second class citizen by the receptionist who made me pay in advance for my room on my VISA debit card, so I decided to eat out of the hotel in the evening rather than spend money in the restaurant or bar.Will not be using the hotel again, i only stayed as i was attending a training course and had to get up very early the next day and definately not 3 star accommodation, stayed in better B&B's and guesthouses.
Reviewed by Faye P; Reviewed in Feb 2010

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Reviewed by Steve B; Reviewed in Feb 2010

There is only one thing you really need...
There is only one thing you really need from a hotel and that is a comfortable nights sleep. This hotel failed on this basic service. The standard double room has a rack rate of over £220 per night therefore when I booked it through late rooms at £65 I thought I'd got myself a bargain. I was wrong, the bed was so uncomfortable that I contemplated sleeping on the floor and would have done except it was so cold. I book hotels in London on a regular basis and I have had some poor nights sleep in others but this was one of the worst. My advice stay away I will.
Reviewed by Andrew W; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Thistle is a nice clean hotel probably more...
Thistle is a nice clean hotel, probably more enclined to be booked for a business trip than vacation. I went to London with my boyfriend and booked this hotel quite late, though we still got rather good price . The neighbourhood is not really beautiful but it's a good area to go out: many restaurants and bars, we had a lot of fun in the bars nearby. Plus it's close to King's cross so you can travel easily from this point. The room and bathroom were clean, the staff was nice and helpful. We had a drink at the bar, the place is nice and the cocktails were good. The breakfats food was ok-croissants, pains au chocolat, or english breakfast available-.The health center in the hotel must be quite nice - though we didnt have time to check it out.The only thing which disappointed me a bit is the fact that there is no computers for the customers. They should leave at least one computer for people to check their emails !
Reviewed by Alexandra G; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Found the accommodation and service very good and...
Found the accommodation and service very good and have no complaints.
Reviewed by F Gardiner; Reviewed in Feb 2010

I booked this as a Last Minute Deal...
I booked this as a Last Minute Deal and what good value for money!! A full English breakfast was included and the later check-out time of 12-noon was much appreciated - Excellent!! I was very impressed with this hotel. The staff were great - cheerful, efficient and polite - they had a good rapport with each other and nothing was too much trouble. The room was comfortable and had an ironing board, trouser press, iron and hairdryer. However the windows were not double glazed and there was no heating in the room. Great Pool and Spa/Gym area. Very clean hotel. The hotel was busy but welcoming. I wouldn't hesitate to use this hotel again when next in the area.
Reviewed by Lorna R; Reviewed in Feb 2010

comfortable and clean ...
comfortable and clean
Reviewed by M Calder; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Chatting at breakfast the next morning it become...
Chatting at breakfast the next morning it become apparent that some people got placed in fantastic modern rooms, however our experience was not the same. The rooms were old fashion, the bathroom had mould in between the bathroom tiles and the facilities in room (except the tv) were dating back to the late 1970s.In terms of its location its a good 15minute walk from the train station, through a 'dodgy' estate.
Reviewed by Paul A; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Very slow check in and check out experience...
Very slow check in and check out experience. Staff very slow and disorganized.
Reviewed by Tim Bartholomew; Reviewed in Feb 2010

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Reviewed by N SCOTT; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Upgraded room on arrival for per night Good...
Upgraded room on arrival for £15 per night. Good size room and bed, though it was a bit too firm for my tastes.Food was OK; typical hotel food and prices, although the puddings were good. Use the bar near the lifts as it has far more choice than the one by the restaurant.Plenty of restaurants within 10-15 mins walk if you want to get out.Gym fairly small, but functional. A couple of cross trainers would be nice.If you use the wireless internet, buy direct from BT as it's £10 for 24hrs, but the hotel wanted to charge £15.
Reviewed by Stephen C; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Stayed for nights I checked into my room...
Stayed for 2 nights. I checked into my room to find twin single beds separated by bookcase, instead of double room. The sheets were dirty and stained, burnt marks all around trouser press on wall, rusty kettle, really dirty/mouldy bath/shower unit, taps that spun around on themselves, stained and mouldy shower curtain, curtains in bedroom thats didnt fit window and therefore couldnt close, also wires coming out of sockets. I did complain, but was unable to be moved as fully booked on the first night. One particular check-in member was very helpful and arranged complementary breakfast for 2 mornings and a room upgrade the next night. I eventually changed to the other room on second night, which was perfect and what the website showed. I would not recommend staying in adjacent block, but if you can ensure rooms on restaurant/check-in side, then they stay should be fine.
Reviewed by AMY A; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Clean amp tidy hotel Excellent service amp value...
Clean & tidy hotel. Excellent service & value for money!
Reviewed by Alan I; Reviewed in Feb 2010

If like me you assume that hotels are...
If, like me, you assume that hotels are relatively close to their respective tube station names (e.g. The Thistle Barbican) then you are in for a shock here. It's about 15 minutes walk from Old Street and Farringdon - the opposite way from Barbican.This was cheap, for a pretty nice hotel, but it had some problems. I paid £10 to upgrade to a deluxe (?) room, where they had the worlds smallest ironing board, and a television that seemingly picked a channel regardless of what you wanted to watch. The shower had also clearly not been cleaned for a long time, as the water barely struggled through the limescale. The iron and shower alone meant about an hour lost trying to iron a shirt and go out for the evening. There was also the worrying number of drips coming through the ceiling above the shower when it was switched on. On the plus side, the drips were falling in the bath....on the negative - one day the ceiling will fall on your head.In truth, this was a bargain, but was pretty ordinary given the grand photos advertising the place. Then again, it was cheap for london and very clean (except for the shower), so I would go back now I know what to expect. The reception staff were great too, which is rare in this country (as most English people in London are miserable...and I should know cos I'm one of them)!
Reviewed by Paul g; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Although the hotel was clean ish because the...
Although the hotel was clean(ish), because the room was so dated it did have a grubby feel about it. The bathroom was very dates and the sink had a crack running down the centry of it.It was far from what i expected from a thistle.
Reviewed by A Francis; Reviewed in Feb 2010

Also paid in advance for cooked breakfast but...
Also paid in advance for cooked breakfast but then the hotel I was sent to did not have breakfast!
Reviewed by J McMullan; Reviewed in Feb 2010

The receptionist not welcoming and information on when...
The receptionist not welcoming and information on when we could book into room kept changing, Room was not in main hotel and although we booked last minute did not expect a sub-standard room, treating guests on their first visit to the hotel in this way would not encourage us to come backOn the whole rather disappointing
Reviewed by Susan W; Reviewed in Jan 2010

I requested a double bed but non were...
I requested a double bed, but non were available. I was initially put in a small rather horrible room, but on asking was moved to a larger room. The problem is if you don't stay in the main building where the reception and dining room are, the rooms are not as good. You are across the drive in a less suitable building. The staff however were very accommodating.
Reviewed by N Jardine; Reviewed in Jan 2010

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Reviewed by Robert B; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The room was very basic but this was...
The room was very basic but this was fine. What I had problems with were the floor tiles in the bathroom were not stuck down and I nearly fell on them a couple of times.Travelling on my own I do find the TV good company but I could not get all the channels or the information screen mentioned in the welcome book.
Reviewed by Pauline W; Reviewed in Jan 2010

What a nice surprise the Thistle was staff...
What a nice surprise the Thistle was, staff were very forendly and accomodating. Checkin was made simple and my room was better than expected, although a little tired in places it was all very clean, tidy and comfortable. I asked and received a quiet room, which was nice. I didn't eat in the hotel but did use the Gym, here the staff were once again friendly. Parking was available on-site and seemed secure, I certainly had no issues. I would use The Thistle Barbican again, it was all that I wanted, more than expected and good value.
Reviewed by D Howarth; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Nothing special Important to note it is located...
Nothing special. Important to note it is located quite a long walk from the nearest tube station - seems to be equidistant between several rather than closer to one station in particular.
Reviewed by Simon R; Reviewed in Jan 2010

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Reviewed by m robinson; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Room was very shabby and in need of...
Room was very shabby and in need of refurbishment.
Reviewed by Joy C; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Second stay at this hotel the rooms are...
Second stay at this hotel , the rooms are great , leisure facilities are very good and location also. Last time they had no record of my booking , this time they were not aware the booking came with a free breakfast , this led to the "Spanish inquisition" every morning before I was allowed to sit down to Breakfast
Reviewed by Anthony H; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The price seems great at for people per...
The price seems great at £65 for 2 people per night & the pool & suana were a bonus & reasonable clean. I would be dissapointed if I paid anymore.One bed had a leg broken & the toilet waste pipe leak> The room was big enough as a twin & high up with 60's tower blcok views. The room was tired. But the TV worked and the mattress seemed new.The staff were pleasant & concierge really helpful.
Reviewed by Cath A; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The hotel was nice and as expected as...
The hotel was nice and as expected as far as the reception, bar, restaurant, service and food go, but the room let it down. I had a large fan, in the middle of winter, taking up floor space in a single room. The room had an ironing board, trouser press and iron that didn't work. Wallpaper was peeling, bath panel paint was peeling and the grouting on the bath was black in many places. The room basically needed a good bit of redecoration. And no biscuits with the tea and coffee in the room (little touches make a difference)!!!!
Reviewed by Grant M; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Had my room changed after first night -...
Had my room changed after first night - they put me in a room over the 'pipes'. boiling hot - even with fan(yes they left a fan in the room) on and all windows open. Dissapointed as they new it was a problem - why put me in there in the first place?. Changed to a much better room - awfull noise coming from fans from other room upstairs, no coffee/tea making facilities in room, hairdryer didnt work and power ports in wall broken. The breakfast is good, but the service is a joke -everybody asking for tea/coffee. Receptionists and bar staff polite and helpfull though.
Reviewed by Paul K; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The staff were great efficient courteous and polite...
The staff were great, efficient, courteous and polite, but I'm sorry, the room was dire. Decor was very tired, carpet stained, curtain didn't fit the window. To be fair, the towels toiletries, etc were all present and correct.I can't believe there isn't a better hotel you could choose just a little bit further away from your destination, steer clear of this one!
Reviewed by M Pearson; Reviewed in Jan 2010

My daughter and I stayed for one night...
My daughter and I stayed for one night at this hotel and would not repeat the experience. The room was just ok nothing special but with comfortable beds and there was none of the usual fan noise you get in hotel rooms. However the windows are not double glazed and there was a lot of street noise outside our window.My daughter had a job interview so got up very early and I am so grateful she did not get straight under the shower without testing it as the little button that is pressed to change the temperature was not there and the water was scalding.She washed in the sink and I ran a bath and put in over 30 kettles of cold water and it was still too hot. The loo would not flush properly and whilst seated in the bath I could see that loo had not been cleaned at all around the rim.On a different note the staff were charming and the food was fine
Reviewed by L Hill; Reviewed in Jan 2010

I cannot believe a large hotel in the...
I cannot believe a large hotel in the centre of London can run out of draught bitter and bottled ale for two days. Food choice is not good. I paid for an upgrade for a larger bed to find that the sheets were not large enough to cover the mattress. Staff however were excellent!
Reviewed by Anthony K; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Very clean hotel very pleasant and helpful staff...
Very clean hotel, very pleasant and helpful staff, good area of London, not so handy if you are there just for the sights
Reviewed by Patricia H; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Although i did enjoy my stay at the...
Although i did enjoy my stay at the hotel i was under the impression that the hotel was a 4* so we were slightly disappointed with the dated interior in the bedrooms.However, overall enjoyed the stay.The breakfast was very nice too.
Reviewed by Charlotte C; Reviewed in Jan 2010

We had a good deal but it's the...
We had a good deal but it's the little things isn't it? The electronic room cards didn't work on three occasions; the restaurant menu is titled "Summer & Autumn" - in January!; the quality of some of the breakfast ingredients is very poor - possibly the worst croissants I have ever eaten and the hot breakfast is warm at best. The staff all smile and are very pleasant but for a litle investment, they could provide a much better experience.
Reviewed by Bryan Thring; Reviewed in Jan 2010

I stayed for one night as I had...
I stayed for one night as I had a party to attend. I booked the night before and got the room for £65. For that price in the centre of London it was a bargain. The reception area and bar great, the reception staff were fine. The concierge both in the evening and at night were very helpful with taxis and giving me tube updates. Ok I would not stay here long time but for a quick stay it was absolutely fine. The room was big enough but plain, the lighting was not fab but all was clean and tidy. Note previous reviews the loo roll was 2 ply! The area is not fantastic but it is absolutely fine for transport links. If you can get a good price I would recommend this especially if its just for a quick stopover. Plus they had one of my favourite magazines in the room which was a bonus as I read that on the train home.
Reviewed by D Nash; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Nothing remarkable about this hotel it was fine...
Nothing remarkable about this hotel it was fine for a business stay and I got a really good rate compared to the amount I usually have to pay for staying in London. Not exactly in the heart of things if you're seeking the sights and the tube is a good 10 minute walk away - though I understand there may be a shuttle service operated by the hotel, I didn't use it.
Reviewed by Lesley Holt; Reviewed in Jan 2010

A very pleasant and efficiently run hotel with...
A very pleasant and efficiently run hotel with good facilities
Reviewed by Chris Spakouskas; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The girl on reception was brusque to the...
The girl on reception was brusque to the point of rudeness. She gave no information at all about where breakfast was served and where hotel amenities were. The room was in an annex to the hotel and was a twin rather than the double which I booked. The room was extremely dingy and depressing. The room service menu was overpriced with an excessive tray charge. I actually went out to a take away across the road rather than waste money on room service. It was a really poor experience. I would not recommend for anyone to stay there.
Reviewed by Susan M; Reviewed in Jan 2010

All the staff were very pleasant and couldn't...
All the staff were very pleasant and couldn't have been more helpfull. Lovely atmosphere when I entered the hotel and the room was clean and had everything I expected.The only drawback is that the hotel is a little bit further from kings cross than I had expected and I had to get a taxi which added to my costs.
Reviewed by caroline n; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Very very dated room although it was relatively...
Very very dated room although it was relatively comfortable, but I would have received more comfort and better facilities in the travelodge. Location was convenient but not a desirable area. The price I paid was equivalent to a travelodge and this was heavily discounted - I certainly wouldn't want to pay any more for the room. The only benefit I can see is that it has access to a leisure club - however, had I wanted a swim in the morning, I would have found that the pool is closed for private lessons! This information was not available at the time of booking.
Reviewed by elizabeth s; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The hotel was really good room really nice...
The hotel was really good, room really nice. Only issue with hotel was with 1 receptionist she was adament I hadnt paid when we arrived!! After telling her several times and her being snooty she found we had paid when booked!! Rest of stay great.
Reviewed by J Ward; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The room was cold because both radiators had...
The room was cold because both radiators had air in them. I managed to use a teaspoon to bleed one of them when we realised that despite set at maximum the radiator was providing no heat at all. The other was resistant.Furthermore the toilet had such poor suction that repeated flushes had no effect.I reported this twice at reception and was thanked. I feel that at the very least our extras (about £13 in drinks and snack) should have been reimbursed.
Reviewed by Colin Stoneman; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Never stayed in a chain before booked this...
Never stayed in a chain before, booked this because of good price and location (close to East End, Islington, good for city). We didn't book with breakfast, so can't comment. Pool and spa were brilliant to have on a rainy day and made the city break a little special. Room was very decent for London, clean and quiet, if not completely new. Service was friendly and uncomplicated. If we get a good deal again we'll definitely come back!
Reviewed by Helen S; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Stayed for one night on business Thing about...
Stayed for one night on business. Thing about Thistle is that you know what you are getting. Room was clean, good facilities, staff were friendly and efficient. Typical corporate hotel - little on the soul-less side but that tends to be what you expect. Hotel food average and expensive but decent restaurants are not too far away if you venture out.
Reviewed by J Price; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Decent customer service and the room was a...
Decent customer service and the room was a little pokey and decor a little dated, but it was clean and everything worked. Never got to try the health club as I decided to hop the Tube and go into town instead.Located about 10 minutes walk from Old Street tube station, so reachable on foot.
Reviewed by C Beckett; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Hotel was clean quiet and room was very...
Hotel was clean, quiet and room was very nice - especially as we were given a complimentary upgrade on a friday night. About 15-20 mins on tube from the Strand so not too far from the centre of the action - my only issue was arriving at Old St station late on and it not being clear which way to go to get to the hotel - a signpost might have helped, its about 5-10 minute walk to the hotel, but other than this, very nice stay and would definitely stay again.
Reviewed by M Holliday; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Poor surroundings no heating in the room and...
Poor surroundings, no heating in the room and cold food at breakfast. Despite requesting my heating to be looked at and rectified, it took until day 2 to rectify. No apology. Food at breakfast was cold (lukewarm at best) I won't be staying here again!
Reviewed by W HUGHES; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Hotel in a very built up area with...
Hotel in a very built up area with lots of flats around it. Did not feel particularly safe when walking from the underground. Also hotel was in Islington but we thought it was at barbican. Room quite dated and small.
Reviewed by Brian Mitchell; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The hotel's common areas were standard and ok...
The hotel's common areas were standard and ok. The bedroom was very tired and in need of re-decoration. The TV did not work and the door needed to be repaired. The bathroom was small and had a stale odour. The staff were actually superb (in putting things right) and the breakfast was acceptable. I wouldn't dream of staying there again.
Reviewed by bruce d; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Very very impressed ...
Very very impressed!
Reviewed by B Ward; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Good for all but the price some expensive...
Good for all. but the price some expensive
Reviewed by Jose Maria V; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Nasty marks in the bathroom black bath scum...
Nasty marks in the bathroom, black bath scum around the grouting. Room needs doing up very tired looking. Masking tape holding electrical trunking to the wall. very cold Heating not working properly. Much better deals available in london. Look around.
Reviewed by Rachael H; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Arrived on the coldest night of the year...
Arrived on the coldest night of the year and the heating had broken down in the single room allocated. I was upgraded to a double deluxe which was welcome because the single wasn't very good.
Reviewed by Gareth R; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Great pool and leisure centre very helpful staff...
Great pool and leisure centre, very helpful staff. Hotel a little worn but very clean.
Reviewed by David W; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Overall our stay was ok The room was...
Overall our stay was ok. The room was clean, although a little smal, in the summer it would have been a bit to stuffy. The breakfast was a letdown. We did not like that the chambermaid started to clean our room while we were at breakfast, when we finished we had to wait for her, we were in a hurry to get ready for a day out in town... maybe we should have hanged up the "do not disturb sign" on the door when we left, but we thought it was so early that they would not come. They usualy start after 10 o'clock.
Reviewed by K Ehlers; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Hotel reception is excellent but oh dear rooms...
Hotel reception is excellent, but oh dear rooms very '80's and need a total refit, bathrooms especially - I don't want to see rust on attachments.However room service was quick and food was great quality and maintenance (tv remote wasn't working) was good.
Reviewed by Paul B; Reviewed in Jan 2010

Excellent hotel ...
Excellent hotel
Reviewed by P Wills; Reviewed in Jan 2010

I used the hotel for a last minute...
I used the hotel for a last minute room to attend a Christmas party. The hotel is not in a nice part of town and is very dated (Lost in the 1980's) The breakfast was woeful in a dirty and dated restaurant. I have stayed in much nicer accommodation across London and did not feel it was good value for money.
Reviewed by Andrew H; Reviewed in Jan 2010

I enjoyed my stay The place felt like...
I enjoyed my stay. The place felt like a haven from the dreadful weather. The hotel was busy and yet as often happens this didn't detract from the service - the staff were all charming and attentive. My hamburger was a bit dry. The spa was really great.
Reviewed by Merilyn Parker Armitage; Reviewed in Jan 2010

The accommodation at the City Barbican was excellent...
The accommodation at the City Barbican was excellent - reception staff friendly, concierge helpful. I was impressed with the room and the leisure facilities. On all these fronts top marks however i was less than impressed with the breakfast service. My partner and i arrived for breakfast half way through the morning service but there was literally NO FOOD available. All i wanted was a continental breakfast but the pastries and croissants had already run out. My partner and i had paid £10 each for breakfast and ended up with little or no food. I asked three staff if croissants were available and the first two staff left me stranded in the restaurant without coming back to me, the third came out to advise that there was no food left. I ended up having scrambled eggs on toast after complaining to a less than apologetic restaurant manager . What a complete shambles. I would stay at the hotel again for the facilities but i certainly will not be eating there. If the hotel manager reads this review i hope he will make swift changes as the service in the restaurant was poor.
Reviewed by Tanya P; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Very nice hotel but small poky not overly...
Very nice hotel, but small, poky, not overly clean room
Reviewed by Fraser D; Reviewed in Dec 2009

What a great deal including full English breakfast...
What a great deal, including full English breakfast, booked about an hour before check-in! I was very impressed with this hotel.
Reviewed by M Howe; Reviewed in Dec 2009

On arriving I found there had been a...
On arriving I found there had been a mix up with my booking so it was not on the system. Thankfully there was a room available and I checked in 30 minutes later, once the system was updated. The room was on the 2nd Floor and a little tricky to find if I'm honest, there were signs but I can see people getting lost easily. The room itelf was adequate; clean and well presented but a little dated. The only real complaint was that the TV had poor reception. There were tea/coffee making facilites and a fridge available too.Overall not bad, but I would rather go somewhere else if I stayed for more than a few days. Also I wouldnt think my girlfriend would be too impressed. It has lots of large rooms for conferences and is very well suited for business trips.
Reviewed by L Czaban; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Room it self was slightly small but big...
Room it self was slightly small but big TV.Window was not be able to shut properly, always wind noise and tiny draft came in.ventilation fan of the bathroom was not working as well as light bulb therefore it was slightly dark and mouldy smell.
Reviewed by M Shishido; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Relatively expensive as not in a great location...
Relatively expensive as not in a great locationnot helped by the person in front of me in the queue getting a £35 better rate than me that included breakfastit's ok and I might use again but there are better hotels in terms of location
Reviewed by Simon B; Reviewed in Dec 2009

When I arrived the hotel had no record...
When I arrived the hotel had no record of my booking. After asking what rate I'd accepted on laterooms they proceeded to book another customer in who'd walked in off the street at a cheaper rate. They could not give me the same rate - although it was a new booking because I'd told them I was prepared to pay more. Had I had more time I'd have gone else where on principle. Receptionist and manager were unhelpful and rude. The room and corridor looked tired and smelt of drains. I am not normally one to write reviews or complain - average room / service is acceptable to me - this was not average it was awful.
Reviewed by D Creevy; Reviewed in Dec 2009

I booked this hotel under a no refund...
I booked this hotel under a no refund policy , then read all the dreadful reviews so my husband and I weren't looking forward to our visit. We arrived Saturday afternoon and had a car park space directly outside the hotel, I was amazed as I wasn't expecting this in London. All the staff were so helpful and friendly, the hotel is really nice and we had a lovely room, what more can you ask for? We read lots of reviews bad staff, dodgey area (council estate) don't walk around by yourself., etc. I don't know where these people live who write these reviews but dodgey area? You are in a trendy area, first dodgey area I've seen with a pizza express round the corner from the hotel and council estate - this is London, the council estates had BMW's parked outside. We walked to the tube (15mins away) and were fine, ok it isn't central London but if want that then pay triple and book Oxford Street. We did get a cab out on the evening but that was more because it was so cold and nothing to do with the area.I stay all over the world with my job in various 4-5star hotels, and I've seen some dodgey hotels and staff and this hotel isn't one of them. We would stay here again.
Reviewed by Margaret M; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Booked and confirmed on laterooms sadly Thistle failed...
Booked and confirmed on laterooms , sadly Thistle failed to update there system , no record of booking , no rooms left in the category we had booked , however after 20 mins did offer an upgrade . Paid supplelment for breakfast , only to be told after waiting for 15 mins to be seated that our booking did not include breakfast , back to front desk to get them to confirm meal voucher with restuarant . We have been ThistleGroup guests on many previous visits to London , sadly we wil not return .
Reviewed by a parsons; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Requested another set of towels - enough for...
Requested another set of towels - enough for two guests. Never received towels
Reviewed by Claire H; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Overall our stay was OK The room was...
Overall our stay was OK. The room was clean, warm although a little small. It met our requirements for a one night stay. Although breakfast was included in the price, the receptionist said she had no record of this but did give us a voucher for breakfast. The breakfast was perfectly acceptable with a good choice, however, it would have been made even better if the tea had not been stewed in the container (hot water and tea bags would be preferable) and the coffee was just a little weaker
Reviewed by Kay W; Reviewed in Dec 2009

stayed one night accomadation was basic but fine...
stayed one night, accomadation was basic but fine. Location not great especially as no parking available, though there were spaces, but told firmly twice, they belonged to someone.
Reviewed by patrick fitzgerald; Reviewed in Dec 2009

This hotel was a massive disappointment Although I...
This hotel was a massive disappointment. Although I was paying a cheaper price due to booking through Late Rooms, I still expect a reasonable standard. When I got into the room it was so cold and noisy I assumed someone had left the window open. When I checked, it was infact closed, which led to a disturbed and chilly night's sleep.When I arrived at the hotel thay tried to charge me over £130, luckily I had my Laterooms print out to prove I was supposed to be paying a lower price. I can only assume that I would have got the same low room standard if I had paid the higher price.The room was not equipped with a hairdryer. This may sound small, but as it was advertised as having fixtures such as this I didn't bring my own... ended up arriving at a meeting the next day with wet and messy hair :(It's not too far from underground stations, but I'd put it nearer to 10 minutes, 5 mins is assuming an extremely brisk walk.The communal areas were lovely and clean, the bedrooms a massive let down.
Reviewed by c o'shea; Reviewed in Dec 2009

On entering the room I was transported back...
On entering the room I was transported back in time to the 1980's. Other than the flat screen TV, which I had to assume was the control unit for the time travelling machine, the room looked exactly as I remembered the same room in the 1980's. The wardrobe, the décor, bathroom furnishings, everything about the room spoke of a time long forgotten. Everything that is except the price.
Reviewed by Paul Blunden; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Room definitely needs a refurb wallpaper scuffed and...
Room definitely needs a refurb; wallpaper scuffed and marked, carpets felt very dirty underfoot and pillows were very smelly. Reception, bar and cafe areas were lovely; obviously newly refitted but the bedroom (most important) was a let down.
Reviewed by L Chaplin; Reviewed in Dec 2009

I had stayed at this hotel previously and...
I had stayed at this hotel previously and vowed never to return - unfortunately forced to do so by a very late notice trip and low availability. Rooms are tired and poor quality. The price is completely out of scale with the low quality. I booked a deluxe room - as my previous experience was a damp smelly cell. This was not available. It took 2 1/2 hours to get the room tarriff altered to reflect the lower grade accomodation. Staff are pleasant but seem totally overstretched. This place needs renovation urgently - the price may then be in the right ballpark.
Reviewed by J J; Reviewed in Dec 2009

My colleague and I arrived at about midnight...
My colleague and I arrived at about midnight. Only one room was available and after a considerable delay they advised us that we would need to be transferred to another hotel as they were full. Staff were extremely unhelpful and rude, or totally oblivious to cusotmers' concerns and it took almost 90 minutes to arrange for taxis to transfer us and at least 20 other guests who were also without rooms. This is without doubt the worst hotel experience I have ever had.
Reviewed by Tim N; Reviewed in Dec 2009

Rather lacking in character and not really very...
Rather lacking in character, and not really very near the Barbican either.There's a great, characterful, sit-in chipshop just round the corner in Goswell Rd. Standard fish, or good pies, or very posh pies. Excellent lunch for half the price of a hotel breakfast.
Reviewed by Neil T; Reviewed in Dec 2009

The room was of a very very poor...
The room was of a very very poor standard. The fixtures and fittings were either tired and in need of replacement, missing or hanging of their hinges. The TV did not work properly and the remote control broken.The bathroom looked more like a student bedsit, it was cramped and had no outside window.I have stayed in better 2 star hotels, believe this is classed as a 4?!!!Felt ,like complaining formally but luckily for them the queue to check out was so slow that I didnt have the timeDoubt anyone within the hotel will respond to this and offer me a refund.......good reviews they read bad ones get ignored....go on; prove me wrong Thistle
Reviewed by Todd S; Reviewed in Dec 2009

The room had clearly not been painted for...
The room had clearly not been painted for years - stains on the walls and ceiling - but they'd put a big new flat screen TV in there. Walls are thin and every time someone walks down the corridor or closes a door your whole door frame shakes. Pokey bathroom. Overall more of a £45 room than a £128 room. Not somewhere you'd like to hang out in.
Reviewed by Kate M; Reviewed in Dec 2009

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Reviewed by Richard B; Reviewed in Dec 2009

For the amount of money paid even for...
For the amount of money paid, even for a city centre hotel, the accomodation was extremely disappointing. The rooms were small, the windows didn't open, and there was only one set of towels provided for a twin room.
Reviewed by K Lang; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Hotel entrance looks good but rooms are small...
Hotel entrance looks good but rooms are small and decor shabby. Cleanliness also left something to be desired. Breakfast included but after I had to send back the coffee cup 4 times because it was dirty, didnt fancy it. There are much better places for this price.
Reviewed by g moss; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Hotel was very clean and all staff were...
Hotel was very clean and all staff were very polite and helpful. Room was abit small but ideal for the money and its location
Reviewed by C Miller; Reviewed in Nov 2009

very friendly staff good central location to all...
very friendly staff, good central location to all attractions. Room's were a little dated but very good for the price with all facilities you would expect. Nice and quiet. only down side is that it is a good 10minute walk to nearest tube which is old street on the northern line.
Reviewed by j duffield; Reviewed in Nov 2009

A very grubby and tired hotel The staff...
A very grubby and tired hotel, The staff were good and the gym and swimming pool were a nice extra. The hotel was quiet but it was let down by grubby and threadbare carpets and a dirty headboard. With a little effort this could be a great place.
Reviewed by Ian F; Reviewed in Nov 2009

I wish to complain about the accommodation in...
I wish to complain about the accommodation in the Thistle Barbican Hotel in Central Street. When I entered the room there was a bad smell, which I thought would abate but was evident all night. I am not sure what it was, something almost like an industrial solvent. There was an electric fan in the room which I turned on to try and alleviate the smell (I wonder was that the purpose of the fan being there?) Also, the room door kept banging all night from the wind outside - I had to place my suitcase against the door to try and prevent the noise. I would not expect this from a hostel - let alone a hotel. I would be seeking recompense on the cost of the room, give the experiences described above - please advise
Reviewed by S Cannon; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Found by chance a great value hotel Reduced...
Found by chance a great value hotel. Reduced rate made it a very good stay. £88 for a suite in central London. Late rooms is well worth a favourites mark on your browser. Supprised that the Thistle is only a 3star but that could be doen to the age. Well worth a stay and i would go again if i could receive the same value.
Reviewed by J Archenoul; Reviewed in Nov 2009

I was in a rush to check in...
I was in a rush to check in and check out, but both were achieved promptly. Apart from my time asleep I was in the room for not much more than half an hour so little to say about it - seemed clean and the bed was comfortable. VFM OK at a Late Rooms rate of £128 compared with the usual extortionate London hotel prices.
Reviewed by Peter S; Reviewed in Nov 2009

A nice stay very clean and good value...
A nice stay.. very clean and good value for a city hotel
Reviewed by Karen Williams; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Great hotel staff very friendly and well trained...
Great hotel,staff very friendly and well trained,good facilities everything you need for a great stay.
Reviewed by S Clubb; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Clearly needs major upgrading Our room had no...
Clearly needs major upgrading. Our room had no ventilation and we insisted on being moved. Front Office staff did not act on our request for their 'Technical Department' to visit and rectify.We know it is London, but, it is rather pricey for the standard received.
Reviewed by Noel B; Reviewed in Nov 2009

The room was acceptable clean well presented and...
The room was acceptable, clean, well presented and warm. The location was unimpressive and there was some noise from the streets outside throughout the night, but not uncomfortably loud. The reception and service from the hotel staff were satisfactory. The food was ordinary. The room rate was great. Overall, an average hotel for a lower than average price.
Reviewed by Ross S; Reviewed in Nov 2009

The hotel was spotless We only stayed one...
The hotel was spotless. We only stayed one night but would recommend. We never got time to use the pool etc but would have liked to.
Reviewed by Peter Potter; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Hotel itself was nice breakfast was nice However...
Hotel itself was nice, breakfast was nice. However, I found the staff to be unfriendly and almost rude at some points. Also. I made my booking via LateRooms.com, however, upon check in, the hotel staff tried to charge me double and tried to persudae me that the figures on the late Rooms booking form were per night only, which effectively would have doubled the cost of staying at the hotel. This issue took 15 minutes to sort out and arose again upon checkout because the relevant notes were not made on the system initially. Upon checkout it took even longer, which meant I was late for my course.All in all, nice hotel, shame about the staff and their internal procedures. Be aware if you do book thsi hotel, keep your wits about you when it comes to paying!!
Reviewed by S BI; Reviewed in Nov 2009

My PA booked my the hotel room when...
My PA booked my the hotel room, when I arrived they had no idea I was coming. Luckily for me they had 2 spare rooms so I was able to stay there. If not things could have turned out a lot worse. Unfortunately they didn't admit their mistake until I looked into it the next day and got to the bottom of it myself that they simply didn't book me a room even though they had my confirmation in good time. We all make mistakes, best to come clean straight away instead of hiding it.
Reviewed by B MacArthur; Reviewed in Nov 2009

I had booked a double or twin room...
I had booked a double or twin room, but the hotel initially tried to put me into a single room (more like a large tatty cupbaord) saying they did not have any double rooms. I complained and they upgraded me to a de luxe double which was very good. It was a pity I had to complain to get what I had paid for.
Reviewed by Anthony Hawley; Reviewed in Nov 2009

No alarm call despite request and under no...
No alarm call...despite request and under no circumstances accept to offer of a "taxi" from the Concierge... Actually a Minicab and more expensive than a Black Cab.Otherwise hotel did what it said on the tin. Cheap and Available, rooms OK.
Reviewed by Simon B; Reviewed in Nov 2009

booked this fairly last minute Read some reviews...
booked this fairly last minute. Read some reviews - bit of a mixed experience so took a gamble and pleased I did. Overall, room was ok and comfy enough. reasonable rate. Breakfast was £12 each so dined at the cafe right across the road for £4. Bar closed early and not really any decent pubs locally or open late, either! Overall, handy for central London at a decent rate but nothing flashy and only a tiny bit shabby
Reviewed by Mark A; Reviewed in Nov 2009

The hotel reception area was very nice trendy...
The hotel reception area was very nice, trendy & clean however, that is the best part of the hotel. The hallways and room was shocking! Wall paper ripped off, 10 year old carpet, not very clean, stains on the sofa. Clearly in need of decorating and updating.
Reviewed by K Hunt; Reviewed in Nov 2009

Location was a good walk from the tube...
Location was a good walk from the tube stop, the receptionists were lovely and the hotel lobby facilites were great. The room was quite basic, but clean.
Reviewed by J Miller; Reviewed in Nov 2009

A bit tired Old towels and re-painted bathrooms...
A bit tired: Old towels and re-painted bathrooms, spruced up with a new stripey shower curtain. The gym and pool looked good but I was too late to go in (closes at 9pm which I thought was a little early).It's an ok hotel if you're in London for one night, and not staying in your room all night (although it did have a nice flat screen TV). I wouldn't relish using it as my base for a few nights in a row. The bar and foyer area looked nice and inviting if you're with others.I'd be a upset if someone thought it was a suitable place for a romantic break!Some guy at reception in th emorning had missed his flight because he didn't get a wake up call.
Reviewed by Pauline H; Reviewed in Nov 2009

While not strictly at The Barbican this was...
While not strictly at The Barbican this was better situated for where we wanted to go in the evening. It's not luxurious but we didn't expect it to be. Excellent value for money. Only issue was the thin walls although now I'm just being picky!
Reviewed by Jessica H; Reviewed in Nov 2009

overall it was a good stay at the...
overall it was a good stay at the hotel, i only stayed one night and enjoyed it. the only thing i would say though would be that the food was well over priced for its quality. Menu was boring and hardly had anything on it. Breakfast was good. room service food wasn't great and again well overpriced!!!! the room was pleasent and clean. i would stay again but definatly go out for dinner and NOT order room service, i'd rather keep my money than eat crap food!! but the hotel was very nice in general, pleasent atmosphere and friendly and helpful staff.
Reviewed by C Cook; Reviewed in Nov 2009

The hotel has a gym and swimming pool...
The hotel has a gym and swimming pool, which unfortunately I didn't get chance to use.Although on-site parking is limited I did get a space which in London is a bonus.No problems with the hotel facilities at all and at the Laterooms rate this is really good value for London.
Reviewed by Stephen Robinson; Reviewed in Nov 2009

The hotel is well located and the reception...
The hotel is well located and the reception and housekeeping staff were efficient, polite and helpful. Our room was certainly perfectly acceptable, given that through Late Rooms we had booked at a good rate. If I'd paid full rate, I would have been horrified by the mould in the sink overflow and the dilapidated state of the windows. Whatever rate you pay though, no 4 star hotel should be serving such a miserable excuse for a breakfast. Sugary muesli (ugh), leathery fried eggs, scrambled eggs with a thick dry crust, tasteless tomatoes (how did they manage that?) and only whole oranges or apples offered as fresh fruit. And we were prompt customers; I can only imagine the food got worse for those who slept in a bit.
Reviewed by Laura D; Reviewed in Nov 2009

The only thing that let the room down...
The only thing that let the room down was the temperature! The radiator was off, but it was still warm, especially the bathroom
Reviewed by Tom P; Reviewed in Nov 2009

I found my stay very pleasent i had...
I found my stay very pleasent, i had a teanager with me, the room very nice, staff helpful and polite and the leisure centre lovely as we used it each day,the only downfall was the quality of the cooked breackfast which wasnt properly cooked, ie, sousages pink inside, tomato and mushrooms almost raw cooked and the not a good selection in the contanental for vegitarians ie one cheese, and resteraunt staff not atentive to customers other than that lovely
Reviewed by E Johnston; Reviewed in Oct 2009

I have stayed in many hotels over the...
I have stayed in many hotels over the years for both business and leisure. I have generally found the Thistle chain to be of a reasonable standard but the Thistle Barbican falls below my expectations. I was greeted by a rat in the corridor when I first went up to my room. This immediately made me uneasy. I found the quality of my twin room to be tired, dated and rather cramped. The double glazed windows dont keep out the noise so its not unusual to hear noise from the street and apartment block outside. The food wasnt too bad although a bit pricey. I was disappointed that breakfast isnt included in the rather expensive rate. Breakfast service was disappointing too. It was difficult to get a cup of coffee with my bowl of cereal in the morning; which is guaranteed to start the day off on the wrong foot.
Reviewed by S Bligh-Wall; Reviewed in Oct 2009

large hotel at walking distance from old street...
large hotel, at walking distance from old street. At check in and check out, had some inexperienced personel, room was fine, though A/C didn't work. For a one night stay would certainly recommend
Reviewed by Johannes Lingeman; Reviewed in Oct 2009

Room was shabby and not that clean Towels...
Room was shabby and not that clean. Towels were thin and threadbare. Very basic accommodation not value for money.
Reviewed by vanessa w; Reviewed in Oct 2009

Items in the room ie safe hairdryer fridge...
Items in the room ie safe, hairdryer, fridge did not work and needed attention. Attention to detail in terms of keeping the room stocked, with items ie tissues, milk for tea making, toilet tissue etc was poor.
Reviewed by Anthony M; Reviewed in Oct 2009

The standard of accomodation was good value for...
The standard of accomodation was good value for money (at the late rooms rate), but I had not appreciated just how far it was from public transport; a trip I was not prepared to walk late at night. Taxi fares for the overnight stay cost around £30 to get to Kings X and back twice. Acceptible if there are four of you, but would have been better spent on a more expensive hotel in this case.
Reviewed by h lewis; Reviewed in Oct 2009

Good standard accomodation and great value for money...
Good standard accomodation and great value for money for a location so close to the city. Just a walk to Old STreet and Moorgate.
Reviewed by Andrew S; Reviewed in Oct 2009

Everything just fine Prices high - but not...
Everything just fine. Prices high - but not this hotel's fault - just the way things are in rip-off London.
Reviewed by Howard J; Reviewed in Oct 2009

Shocking I had easily cancelled a room out...
Shocking I had easily cancelled a room (1) out of 3 booked with late rooms - only to arrive and they had cancelled the two rooms I wanted to keep - I now wait to see if they will try and charge me for the 3rd room. It was obvious the staff couldn’t communicate effectively...The staff just left us standing at reception for 15mins when arriving - location is okay and although the hotel isn’t the most comfortable it is suitable for getting a nights sleep.
Reviewed by K Harris; Reviewed in Oct 2009

I booked a single room which on arrival...
I booked a single room, which on arrival they upgraded to a double for free, which was very nice and he concierge was very helpful.The ad on laterooms was somewhat misleading in that there is offered a free shuttle to the city. In actual fact this is a minibus which takes you to the three closest tube stations to catch a tube into the city. If you are going to Old St Tube, the shuttle takes twice as long as walking. The hotel when you get away from reception is very shabby and the rooms are no better. When I got to my room and opened the door, the lock plate fell off the frame because the screws were just pushed into holes rather than being fastened. In the main room the connecting door hadnt been locked, the walls were covered in holes where they had removed fittings and the bed surround was broken and in parts missing. in general the decor was very tired as was the carpet The bathroom was the same, dirty grout, mould on the sealant, holes in the wall etc.I paid £187.50 per night for 2 nights and having stayed in various hotels over the years in London, you can do a lot better for the money.
Reviewed by Russell M; Reviewed in Sep 2009