I have to go up to Manchester about 3 times a year and I have a B&B allowance of &70. In Autumn I chose the Thistle using the Virtual Manchester Tourist site and multimap to pin point it, also it was a sugested hotel from the company I work for. We have used Thistle hotels before and found them to be of a high standard. Regrettably my Manchester experience was a disaster: the room was tiny and smelled mouldy and of stale cigarettes - maybe that's what they keep for lone females! Also the view out the window was basically a wall. The room's walls were thin and my neighbours both in and out of the hotel were noisy. I rang down and complained but to no avail - I didn't hear anyone come up to check either. Eventually I got dressed and went down and copmlained and they said that they would ring up: they may have done but no result. By this time it was past 2pm so I go tout some work. finally at 4am silence descended and I was able to get to sleep. Because it was a bad night I had asked for a 7.30am call - I didn't get it so I was late for work. I thought about complaing again in the morning but decided to vote with my feet instead.
I cannot recommend this hotel based on my experiences there.
However there was two high points. The restaurant staff and the food: both were of the highest quality.
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I just stayed in the Thistle for 7 days and it was OK. I was on the 4th floor which seemed to be renovated but the other floors looked liked they could do with some modernisation. The bath was small but I liked it because I could turn the handles with my feet and the Otium Health Products were appreciated and nice. The staff could not do enough for me and I liked the morning buffet. They had various cold meats and cheese, cereal and the fruit salad and yoghurt was a nice touch. The coffee was fresh brewed and the evening meal was superb. A bit pricy, small but filling. If it's on company expense and you are greedy I suggest one of the £5.95 buffets at the places near China Town. Great location, I prefered to use the stairs to burn off calories because the lift was slow or not working, but it did not matter. The health spa was great and included in the price. The pool was a little splash pool and quite nice and the jacuzzi was great as well. The sauna really helped to chill me out but was a bit dangerous :) if you are a lad don't get throwing the pan of water on like I did heheheh. Great central location and I did not complain because my boss paid for me to stay, I give it a 3.5 star because they try hard to please and the pastry's are nice as is the juice. I am sure you could find better but I will be back even though I was certain my room was haunted and something was watching me!!! The Manchester peeps are friendly as well so thanks, I am sure I could have been placed somewhere better but i am sure there is well worse!
Niknak 20.02.2003 02:21
Being a Manchester lad myself, the Thistle woudldn't be my first choice for a hotel in the city centre. For the rate you quoted I think there are better and cheaper places available. Good op though :)
sue.51 20.02.2003 01:15
Have stayed at the Thistle in central Manchester a couple of times and wasn't overimpressed - there are much better available for lower rates and parking included -sorry for the rating, but the op needs much more info - if you update, let me know and I will happily rerate.
Sue
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Feb 11th, 2003
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