The Thistle

Fine

Very compact, but clean and cosy. A more budget option for ferry catchers.

We’re a family of three (13 year old child) and I’m also pregnant. We were expecting the stay to be basic due to the price, but the reviews looked ok and it seemed ok based on our purposes of staying to visit a relative in hospital for a couple of nights. We arrived at the hotel to find a dilapidated, boarded up old pub of the same name at the front. We arrived just before 6pm and the door had been left unlocked with the keys on the windowsill. The step and flower beds outside the room were covered in cigarette butts, the room smelled of smoke and damp and was generally run down. There were white stains on the curtains on the bathroom toilet mat, out of date buscuits with the complimentary teas and coffees, the walls were that thin we could hear the ‘neighbours’ argument very clearly at 2am in the morning on both nights (although there were ear plugs provided in the room which was helpful). We only had 2 towels despite there being 3 of us and despite requesting a third, we never received this. The bed was comfy enough and the shower worked although the bathroom was quite compact. The TV didn’t work and we just received pixelated images.

Nice stay really helpful host ideal for the town centre

Couldn’t ask for more on a short notice booking

Friendly

Having travelled extensively across the UK this trip, this was the worst example of accommodation we have seen. We knew we had booked a budget hotel as we simply needed a spot to sleep close to early ferry to Belfast. We couldn’t imagine how bad things were based on the price paid. First, we had to call to get access to our room, which had been left unlocked and key sitting on shelf. We never did get the door to lock from outside when we went to leave for dinner. The towels could be used as sandpaper and were no longer white but dingy yellow. The room was very tired. Gobs of caulking around shower looked like it was applied by a child. Carpets had seen much better days. Critically, there was no heat. We asked and were told it would come on at 5pm. Didn’t happen. Asked again - message ignored. It is unthinkable that a room not have working heat in late September. Fortunately the bed covers were warm or we couldn’t have stayed. On a positive note, the shower water was hot but weak stream. Avoid if possible. The cheap price was not worth the poor accommodation and lost night sleep.

Stay was good. Onsite parking good. Room comfortable. Small shower space but very clean and nice hot water. Bed comfortable. Pillows a bit saggy.

Quiet property close to grocery store and restaurants. It was a short wslk from the train station. Staff was very friendly.

Good stay

Small & very basic

Very friendly on phone although never seen the owner. There was no warm water and I felt cold overnight. Good location though but wouldn’t stay for any more than an overnight

It was very comfortable

A bit low rent and tired But this is most probably why it is a low cost. Had to ask for the reheating to be turned on and the beds were a bit tired.

Overall great. Good location and friendly staff

Pictures very deceiving. Very out dated and tired. Friendly enough guy checked us in, gave advice about the area. If the nighly charge would be halved it would be about right.

Lovely owner Sandy, very helpful, near town and ferry port just what we needed

Handy for ferry but no welcoming 😕

It is in a rundown area , and the road and pavements are very dirty, although the owner of the property was very kind and helpful.

I was greeted with friendliness and helpfulness by the two people who care for the property. The town was much larger than I first imagined and am glad I stayed a second night so that I could wander the town on my second day.