Thistle City Barbican, London

120 Central Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1V 8DS
4 star

A great location very close to the Square Mile, the Thistle Barbican offers extremely competitive prices for a four star property.It also boasts spa and leisure...

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£ Rooms from $166* per night
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7/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
7/10 Check-in process
7/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
7/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
7/10 Performance of staff
7/10 Overall experience
7/10 Overall value for money
  • 8/10 Anonymous (Family with older children) 

    on  August 13, 2008

    nice room , good tv

    poor local transport , no tube stations nearbye

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  August 11, 2008

    "All round a very enjoyable stay, only complaint was that the hairdryer didn't work - but I could l live with that! Even got an upgrade...." (107299882)

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  August 8, 2008

    "Very happy with my stay." (107244463)

    Clean, comfortable room; friendly, helpful staff; good buffet breakfast; excellent pool etc!

  • 7/10 Pat (Solo business traveller) 

    from Preston , GB on  August 7, 2008

    "Good OK" (107129379)

    Fairly modern facilities. Friendly at check in

    Breakfast very standard "plastic" not great. Shower was weak, low pressure.

  • 10/10 Andrea (Group of work colleagues) 

    from Walsall , GB on  August 5, 2008

    "Overall excellent accommodation and service from staff. I would recommend this hotel to anyone. Actually it is the best value for money night I have spent in any hotel and I have stayed in quite a few. I would have liked to have spent more time at the hotel to have explored the facilities but we only wanted a base to sleep in. I think I will stay here again next time I go to London and spend an extra night just to enjoy the facilities the hotel has to offer." (108066034)

    Clean, spacious, upgraded to suite, friendly helpful staff. Peaceful room Everything we needed in the room

    Long queue for breakfast, some of the items had run out when we went to get them. We had booked a twin room but ended up sleeping in the same bed..Fortunately it was a big one so we didn't end up cuddling each other!!!!! There could have been more sugar in the room as my friend has a sweet tooth Signposting to rooms could have been a bit more prominent

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  August 5, 2008

    Comfortanble, clean room; Good TV;

    Very bad service at breakfast - lots of waiting; No adaptors for the ellectrical network; The room we stayed in and the furniture in it needs renovation;

  • 4/10 Susan (Family with older children) 

    from Arbroath , GB on  July 30, 2008

    check in area was splendid, however we were then told our accomodation was not in the hotel but in the annex some distance away and very basic. There was no indication at the time of booking that this would be the case. Breakfast was excellent.

    Not level of accomodation we expected, room had no air conditioning,

  • 5/10 Keith (Mature couple) 

    from Wimborne, dorset , GB on  July 23, 2008

    "Could be better." (108085224)

    concierge staff efficient/friendly. Quiet area/hotel. Breakfast adequate

    Reception staff not welcoming, almost brusque. No tea/coffee facilities in room (a basic). Had to queue very long time for breakfast on Sunday, service slow.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 22, 2008

    "Good" (108023406)

    I booked a taxi, which turned out to be a private hire and cost more than I expected. It would have been good form to tel me the price in advance.

  • 5/10 Jim (Solo business traveller) 

    from Glasgow , GB on  July 7, 2008

    Very pleasant and helpful staff

    I felt that the room to which I had been assigned was somewhat cramped and badly in need of refurbishment. (Chipped doors, rust on taps and handrails, old furniture units)

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 27, 2008

    "convenient for the conference venue i was using and generally ok you cant help noisy guests !!!!!" (97907688)

    check out staff good room service good maintenance man good

    safe didnt work door handle was broken tv only worked on some stations breakfast crowded with very noisy american children

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  June 26, 2008

    Calm room, Breakfast

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  June 26, 2008

    Staff were extremely helpful and polite. We had a problem with our room; it had an unpleasant odour. However, within a few minutes of mentioning it to the desk we were reassigned to a new room very close by. No fuss just excellent customer service

  • 8/10 Peter (Solo business traveller) 

    from Feltham, middx , GB on  June 23, 2008

    "I was upgraded to a premier executive room which was much appreciated and reflected well on the hotel. I have stayed in the past on occasions in standard rooms which I find to be only just adequate. The stay on this occasion was a good experience. " (97604723)

    Pleasant staff. Location.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Other) 

    on  June 20, 2008

    "overall very good and would definitely stay again." (99312851)

    Extremely helpful and kind staff coupled with a smile. Room accomodating, location good for central London and my business purposes. Leisure facilities, whilst I didn't use them, seemingly just great.

    Room temp when I arrived back was quiter warm and no explanation of how to use Air conditioning or at very least put it on. I then due to this tried the rotor fan which was very noisy, (possibly needs looking at) When I did finally identify the reason for Air con unit, the switch was on the ceiling. For me this was ok as I am fit and able but were I not this would have been impossible. Pleased to say I did eventually sort my issue and get a reasonable night sleep

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  November 22, 2007

    "Overall we were pleased with the hotel but I wish we had chosen somewhere nearer to the city centre, maybe Thistle Bloomsbury next time. We like walking but it was a long way into the main areas. Hotel was very nice though and staff were really friendly. Food was good." (97351263)

    Hotel was very nice, staff were friendly. Food was good but not much choice on menu. Breakfast was better. Room was very warm and cosy, bed really comfortable, fell asleep when returned from shopping.

    The room needed refurbishment would have been better with a modern decor to match the rest of the hotel. There was a cobweb on bedroom ceiling.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Suzanne (Young couple) 

    from Watlington oxon , GB on  June 3, 2008

    "we were quite happy with the hotel & facilities. breakfast was a bit chaotic with our table being immediately reallocated as we got up to join the very long queue!" (97127699)

    hotel clean, room pretty clean, corridors all smart and clean. Location good

    stop doing hen weekends - the hotel was full of unpleasantly drunk young women staggering in & out for a fag

  • 5/10 Helen (Young couple) 

    from Derby , GB on  June 3, 2008

    "Excellent welcome... downhill from there onwards." (97463776)

    Excellent greeting and smooth checking in process

    Very poor room size and decor. Twice the cost of an average overnight stay with Premier Inn but nowhere near the same level of cleanliness. Shower head was filthy and covered in limescale; extractor fan in bathroom didn't work. Light above bath didn't work. Wallpaper and curtains very dated (aztec-style curtains and carpet) and too busy in design for the size of room, which made the design stand out even more: watch out if busy colours bring on headaches!! Worst point:- checking out. Had paid for room only on debit card at check in; Assistant who checked us out did not smile, did not ask if we had enjoyed our stay. In fact, did not show any interest in our customer experience. We were asked if there were any extras and that was the only communication we had at check-out. Not even a 'have a nice day' or 'we hope you enjoyed your stay'. Very, very disappointed.

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  April 23, 2008

    Spacious and very clean

  • 3/10 Michael (Mature couple) 

    from Lowestoft , GB on  October 17, 2007

    "room service inadequate had to ask for beverages inadequate number of towels 1 hand towel between two people the mini fridge did not work it was more like a oven despite the fault reported nothing was done restaurant staff taking away breakfast before we had finished breakfast items were missing from the menu which reduce selection choice staff were very slow in replenishing food and beverages r mothis in fact was a typical thistle hoteland not value for money" (97514273)

    distance from tube station room service poor mini fridge not working despite reporting the fault

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  March 27, 2008

    "The room was very clean, well maintained and good value for money. The location was perfect. Staff were very friendly and overall we had a very nice stay. On the downside our breakfast order was slightly incorrect and room service did not answer telephone." (97973397)

    Very clean and well looked after, location was perfect.

    Very limited parking.

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 18, 2008

    Poor location, not close enough to main transport links (Rail & tube). No bottled water provided in the room. Automatic wardrobe lights did not turn of when door closed, due to faulty switch and ill fitting door. Overpriced at more than £150 per night excluding breakfast

  • 6/10 Jannine (Solo business traveller) 

    from Ringwood , GB on  March 6, 2008

    Close to the conference venue

    Room decor fiarly basic, mouldy sealant in bathroom.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  February 20, 2008

    "MAN FOYER AREA VERY PLEASANT BUT ROOMS SHABBY AND BASIC AND NOT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY" (97781624)

    PAID FOR A SUPERIOR ROOM WHICH WAS VERY BASIC WITH A HARD BED AND AIR CONDITIONING THAT DID NOT WORK

  • 9/10 Linda m (Other) 

    from Leominster , GB on  February 1, 2008

    Staff very helpful, rooms clean

  • 9/10 Linda (Mature couple) 

    from Ramsgate , GB on  January 14, 2008

    "Enjoyed dealing with helpful and courteous staff. Did not realise about leisure facilities available." (97471699)

    Customer service and excellent meal

  • 4/10 Catherine (Family with older children) 

    from Truro , GB on  January 8, 2008

    "4 star hotel with facilities to match but the staff were not efficient when checking in or checking out. Had no lights in the room when returned back late at night and had to switch to another. Why say there is a courtesy bus service to the city when there is not? The bus took you to the nearest tube stations, not the city.Tube journey to city centre was not too bad but walk from station not very nice." (97430328)

    Tidy. Clean bedding and comfortable bed. Loved the swim pool.

    Slow check in. Billed incorrectly on check out. No lights when returned to room late at night. Had to change room.

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  January 4, 2008

    "The description of the hotel states it is the Thistle Barbican. The hotel is at least a ten minute walk to the barbican. This should be stated as the description is wrong ang the hotel nowhere near the Barbican. The staff are rude and unfriendly. We will never stay there again." (97035490)

    Bedroom was very clean & well decorated

    Staff rude & unhelpful

  • 10/10 Michael (Mature couple) 

    from Solihull , GB on  January 4, 2008

    Friendly helpful staff. Central location for London attractions. Very clean and well equipped room.

    The front apartment doors are very, very noisy to shut and caused us to wake up on several occasions during the night.

  • 5/10 Christian (Solo business traveller) 

    from Geneva , CH on  November 28, 2007

    "I would like to know that the delivery of the newspaper to the room is not free." (97079547)

    People very fine

    Room too noisy and too small. Price too high.

  • 7/10 Robert (Mature couple) 

    from Glasgow , GB on  November 9, 2007

    "Breakfast too expensive Would like earlier check in time" (97381161)

    Good quality furnishings etc

    Too warm in room

  • 7/10 Simon (Group of work colleagues) 

    from Yetminster , GB on  November 6, 2007

    Shower

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  October 31, 2007

    "Excellent reception staff/welcome Excellent/ friendly bar staff and pool reception staff Value was good for a London hotel, decor needs updating to feel bit more special. Would recommend for value for money/bread and butter overnight stay, but not for special occasion" (97202884)

    Friendly/helpful staff. Location close to amenities/city

    The room was rough round the edges/ far too hot and the a/c was v. noisy

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  October 31, 2007

    "On check-in I was given a room that was already occupied, although this was rectified by staff immediately. The room was small and cramped and the shower facilities were inadequate." (97339329)

    Small room, very small bathroom, shower facilities very poor

  • 6/10 John (Solo business traveller) 

    from London , GB on  October 22, 2007

    "I asked the hotel to pre book a cab for me for 6.30pm to attend a black tie dinner at Mansion House. After phone calls to the consierge from my room and waiting in reception, the cab finally arrived almost 20 minutes late. As a result I was late for my reception. In the morning there were long queues for breakfast and I had to leave without eating. If this occurs regularly, maybe a warning could be provided the night before." (97082593)

    Comfortable bed

    stained chair, no extraction in bathroom, overlooked take away, noisy road

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  October 17, 2007

    Clean and tidy

    Swimming pool was cold and bedroom decor was outdated

  • 8/10 Helen (Young couple) 

    from Colwyn bay , GB on  October 12, 2007

    "Very good. Would go again." (97159162)

    Nice lisure facilities and nice room. Cleanliness.

    On the Monday morning the breakfast was taken away too soon.

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  October 9, 2007

    Restaraunt food.

    Room decor very dated. Old springs in matress. No air-Con and bed side light didn't work.

  • 4/10 Frances (Solo business traveller) 

    from Thames ditton , GB on  October 9, 2007

    Dated decor, supposed deluxe room which looked into the internal service well. Food expensive and of mediocre quality. Key only worked upside down and had to go back to reception to be told how to get into my room

  • 3/10 (Young couple) 

    from Rabley heath , GB on  October 9, 2007

    The room was too small, the shower didn't work, the iron didn't work, the room had a stale fungicidal odour.

  • 2/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  October 9, 2007

    Shabby, run down and grubby looking. Even the smoke detector was in pieces.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  October 7, 2007

    "No complaints about accomodation or the staff. We had a superior room which was very comfortable,well equiped and very quiet. The staff were very helpful and polite. The breakfast was excellent. Our one and only minor complaint was the length of time we had to queue to check in. The queue also interrupted the movement of people across the foyer. Should we need to stay overnight in the City again ,we would definately use the hotel." (97054333)

  • 7/10 B (Young couple) 

    from Oxford , GB on  September 26, 2007

    "Generally the stay was good. However when I tried to order room service that evening I was informed that I could only have sandwiches as the chef had not turned up. I was relying on this service as I had not eaten (it was 11.30pm at this point). In the end I had to go out of the hotel to get a takeaway to have hot food. I complained to the manager about this at the time and asked him to think of a way to make this up to me. A simple deduction from the bill or free drink would have been enough but no attempt was made. That made me really annoyed. I don't mind that problems occur or mistakes get made, but fully expect them to be resolved to my satisfaction especially at a quality hotel." (97560514)

    Free upgrade to a quite was really nice! Room was comfortable and bed was big.

    Minibar not stocked and when requested no minibar service supported.

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  July 23, 2007

    "Hotel itself was vey nice and well located, very restricted parking, dissappointed with the room as it was not good value for money" (99470221)

    Hotel was well located

    Room was very small in need of refurbishment,not value for money, TV had faulty picture

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Same sex couple) 

    on  July 15, 2007

    "It would have been helpful if the map of the whereabouts of the hotel were more clear from the Barbican tube station, ie: cross the road and through the underpass. Otherwise our stay was without any problem. Very comfortable beds." (97777051)

    Both myself and my daughter enjoyed our stay. The room was adiquate and clean. The staff were both friendly and helpful. We didn't use the liesure facilities but they looked very tempting. A long queue at check in, but wine was offered to the guests, a thoughtful touch.

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Other) 

    on  July 11, 2007

    Nice reception area and the rooms had good decor.

  • 2/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 7, 2007

    "I will not refer the hotel to anyone and will not return." (99093972)

    Location was good

    Air con didn't work. Very noisy. Dirty room. Uncomfortable bed. Staff were hopeless.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 23, 2007

    "The resteraunt staff apppeared to be unsure of what they were doing. I witnessed incorrest orders being served. The room was small with patches in the carpet" (99206460)

    the location

    Lack of air conditioning in resteraunt making it very uncomfortable

  • 5/10 David (Young couple) 

    from Middlesbrough , GB on  June 5, 2007

    "The Hotel is in good decorative order throughout and the rooms are well furnished, However, front of house staff did not give a good impression. The breakfast was very good indeed but again spoilt by the staff. A member of staff asked if we wanted coffee and after we said yes we waited over 10 minutes for the said coffee, needless to say it did not arrive. Very poor indeed......" (99978702)

    The room was excellent especially the air conditioning and the size of the bed.

    The check in process was terrible,very slow,staff who did not understand English, wrong room.....

  • 3/10 Mike (Solo business traveller) 

    from Cirencester , GB on  December 8, 2007

    "Over priced and poor quality small rooms" (97780631)

    nothing

    almost everything

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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