Thistle Hotel, Brighton

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We choose the Thistle due to cost and availability really - many of the hotels on the travel website we use were fully booked or looked in need of paint and repair. This was advertised as being close to The Lanes and numerous restaurants as well as being sea front based.

LOCATION

The Thistle is a glass fronted, modern looking hotel, situated approx 200 yards from Brighton Pier, directly on the seafront.
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...old Victorian style, so the Thistle stood out somewhat!!!

Directly behind this hotel is The Lanes and various restaurants - so it really is close to all amenities as advertised.

ARRIVAL

Finding the hotel was easy, parking was not!!!

The car park the hotel uses is not signposted well - in fact, it has signs all over stating this is not for use by hotel guests!!

However, that ... more

I had to attend a conference in Brighton recently, so hubby and I decided to treat ourselves and stay a few extra days, do some shopping and generally 'chill' out from work.

We choose the Thistle due to cost and availability really - many of the hotels on the travel website we use were fully booked or looked in need of paint and repair. This was advertised as being close to The Lanes and numerous restaurants as well as being sea front based.

LOCATION

The Thistle is a glass fronted, modern looking hotel, situated approx 200 yards from Brighton Pier, directly on the seafront.

I say modern looking, because most of the other hotels nearby were the old Victorian style, so the Thistle stood out somewhat!!!

Directly behind this hotel is The Lanes and various restaurants - so it really is close to all amenities as advertised.

ARRIVAL

Finding the hotel was easy, parking was not!!!

The car park the hotel uses is not signposted well - in fact, it has signs all over stating this is not for use by hotel guests!!

However, that said, there is parking available directly under the hotel - charged at £15 per 24 hour period without in/out privileges - and an emergency drop off zone of 15 minutes, enabling you to go to reception to find out where parking is!!!

(To be fair, finding the car park was the only hassle we had on arrival, and the entire break)

Anyway, we dutifully walked up the stairs, which are approx 2 lots of 15 - 20 steps, (lift is available) to a large reception area, in muted creams, beiges and gold, with plenty of plants dotted about.

It was quite busy when we arrived, as numerous conferences commencing in Brighton the next day, so we had an approx 10 minute wait to check in, but were told where to park straight away and given a ticket to punch in when we had parked. Incidentally, it was indeed, the car park displaying signs for hotel guests not to park!!! Apparently used to deter day trippers from using it!

There is, strategically placed around the check in area, numerous display cabinets full of locally made jewellery, stones and carvings that the hotel sell. This is in addition to the Thornton's chocolate the hotel also sells - beautifully displayed and incredibly tempting!!!! I was quite amused browsing these cabinets whilst waiting to check in.

On checking in, we were greeted by a warm, friendly smile and a cheery welcome. The receptionist was helpful, asking if it was business or pleasure, and enquiring whether we would like an upgrade. Unfortunately, when he checked, he had given out the last upgrade to the man before us!!!

However, he immediately set about finding out when an upgrade would become available, and as it would have meant changing rooms half way through our stay, we politely declined the offer. He was most apologetic for his mistake and gave us a 10% discount for getting our hopes up instead!!!

A bellhop (are they still called these???) materialised beside us, loading our bags (all 2 of them!!) onto a trolley and accompanying us to our room.

ROOM

We had requested a non-smoking room, (non sea view as late booking) which we were given. However, when we entered, it was apparent from the awful smell of stale smoke that the previous occupant had been smoking.

Immediately the bellhop insisted we return to reception, where we were reallocated a room, overlooking the hotel's atrium.

A normal sized hotel room, in my opinion - decorated in gold, blue and cream, with a Super Kingsize bed (6' X 6' 6") and en-suite bathroom facilities. Bedding was clean and a good standard of cotton. We had a duvet although I am not sure if this is provided in summer, or bedding is changed to sheets and blankets. 2 pillows each - soft and moulding but a bit on the small side, as with a lot of hotels.

The bathroom had a small bath - they're never deep enough for a good soak!! - but a fantastic power shower, with various settings including strips-your-skin-off-but-nice-massage-at-same-time setting. Most useful after a days conferencing!!! Normal freebies - shower gel and shampoo in one, lotion etc etc.

The carpet looked and presented as clean and tidy - no stains or spillages could be seen.

I found the room to have excellent sound proofing. We overlooked the atrium, and I initially thought we may experience noise from the bar/lounge area. The room had a robust sound proof set of windows, that when closed, virtually shut out all noise. Similarly with the walls, as I did not hear from any of the 'neighbours' either!!

The room temperature was warm without being stuffy. I did not wake in the night feeling too hot although the heating was on all the time. (it was winter after all!!)

In room facilities included air con, satellite TV, radio, tea & coffee making facilities - did not use many of these as there was so much to do in so few days!!!

HOTEL FACILITIES & LAYOUT

Numerous lifts - 2 by reception, 2 by bar area - with an open plan design on the reception floor.

The restaurant was located adjacent to the reception area, as was the bar and lounge all within the atrium.

Because of the design of this hotel, even though we knew we were by reception, it was sheltered from view by the arrangements of the plants and flowers.

The atrium was huge with a glass roof; therefore sound was never an issue as the noise rose up, not around you. This was further helped by the fact that the Hotel's boutique style bar overlooked the back entrance of the Hotel which led to The Lanes and various restaurants, thereby encouraging patrons to sit away from the diners and lounge area.

It was very easy to charge drinks and items to our bill - the bar encouraged this as it made serving easier for them without the need to ring in change etc etc. We would have a drink after coming back for the night, as it stayed open for hotel guests, provided you could prove your stay and charge to your bill.

I really liked this bar. It was soft music, mostly jazz, with comfy leather semi circle chairs or low slung couches. There was low lighting, but not low enough you could not see properly!!! It was raised above the pavement level at the rear, and had four seating areas where you could sit and people watch at the beginnings of The Lanes. The bar was very well stocked with a variety of beers, spirits and liqueurs, reasonably priced for a hotel - I think it was £3.50 for a JD and coke.

The gym and pool were located in the basement. In my opinion, too much crammed into one area! The pool was small and sloped in such a way, that three strokes of free style, from the deep end, and I was skimming the bottom of the shallow end!!! It was seriously that shallow! However, it was very, very warm , almost baby pool warmth. Not a great range of gym equipment, but if, like me, you go away to relax and not workout above a gentle swim and sauna, this should not be a massive issue!!!

This hotel is situated some 200 yards left from Brighton Pier, with its amusements and rides. 200 yards right is a cinema and nightclubs.

In my opinion, this is an ideal location, as you are close enough to walk to the nightlife, but far enough away not to hear the noise!!!

BUT - most importantly, the Thistle is located right next to The Lanes - a fabulous array of quirky shops, selling jewellery, clothing and art by local craftspeople, as well as a wide range of flea markets, knick-knacks & bric-a-brac shops, and designer jewellery and designer shops selling clothing and shoes at discount prices - Prada, Gucci and Jimmy Choos for under £100.

STAFF

Overall, very friendly staff.

The staff we approached regarding where to go and how to get there were knowledgeable and unhurried in their advice. We were asked if we were staying to 'club' or relax, and were told the areas best avoided from Thursday night onwards when we confirmed we were here to relax and chill for a few days, as well as attend a conference.

Reception always greeted us with a smile and acknowledged us with a 'good morning' or 'good evening' when we were walking through reception to the lifts or on our way out.

Gym and pool staff also helpful - giving us towels, locker keys and a tour when we first entered.

We did not encounter chambermaids, but we had no complaints as to how our room was cleaned each day of our stay.

PRICES

The total cost was £259 for a three night room only stay, Wed - Sat.

We only ate in the hotel restaurant once, for breakfast, at £14 per head, which I viewed as expensive. However, the food available was extensive and unlimited. Great if you eat cooked breakfasts, cereal and fruit all in one go - but if like me you have toast, a tad on the expensive side!!

However, within 5 minute walk of this lovely hotel are numerous restaurants to suit all budgets and taste buds!!! (Italian, Japanese, fast food, New Orleans, Seafood, Steak houses, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese - to name but a few!!)

ADVANTAGES

A quick summary:

• Excellent location to The Lanes, restaurants and amenities
• Sea front position
• Helpful & friendly staff
• Comfortable rooms
• Residents bar
• Open plan design of restaurant, bar and lounge area
• Reasonable price for a Brighton sea front hotel in prime locality.

NEGATIVES

• Parking costs huge!!!!! - £15 per day!!!
• Gym & pool felt cramped and squashed in the basement
• Restaurant tad expensive for just toast!!! (great if you want more, but it was a negative for me!!)

I really enjoyed my stay here, and would not hesitate to return for a short break.  

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