Thistle Barbican Shoreditch

Breakfast was great, the staff were lovely, especially Molly at reception, and the rooms were very clean and spacious. The complimentary minibar was a nice extra, though after we asked for the cokes and water to be replenished following breakfast, it never happened. The room itself felt tired and due for refurbishment. The air conditioning was particularly noisy. I had a good stay for a business booking, but wouldn't choose this place for a city break, as it seems set up mainly for business travellers.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby, yet the hotel is tucked away enough that the night stayed quiet. I spent one night in an executive king room, which was roomy and had a comfortable bed. The hotel does look a little dated, but that didn't bother me. Breakfast had a tempting range, though I wasn't hungry enough to try much of it. The staff were friendly, as were some of the other guests I spoke with. It was a very good stay, and I'd happily return if I'm in the area.

The pool looked nice, but it was small and too crowded for us to get in. I think it's open to people who aren't staying at the hotel too, which may explain the numbers. The air conditioner in our deluxe double room was dusty and loud. Standard rooms don't have air conditioning, so we chose the deluxe for our one night. The decor was plain, but the room had what we needed, felt comfortable and was generally clean. Food was surprisingly good both through room service and at breakfast, and the staff were very helpful. As a Londoner I found the bus journey straightforward, though tourists might find it confusing. The area has a reputation for being a bit dodgy, so I'd suggest keeping alert and not walking around with your phone out. For the price, it was decent value.

We were there for 11 days, and the staff were helpful throughout. The rooms were a decent size, not too small, and housekeeping did a good job. Bathrooms were neat, with both a shower and tub, hot water available all the time, and towels and other toiletries provided. We had breakfast every morning. The menu got repetitive, but the food was good. We enjoyed our stay and would definitely come back. A decent place to stay.