“The Key to Dorset”

The Thistle Hotel, Poole Quay is well situated overlooking the harbour and Brownsea Island. The hotel is within walking distance of the marina, local shops and restaurants and is a short taxi ride to the Sandbanks Peninsula for a host of water activities and sunbathing (on a good day). Recommended nearby restaurants include Corkers and The Custom House both of which offer reasonably priced good quality and varied menues. Poole is a good base from which to explore the wider Dorset countryside and coastal highlights.

“excellent location”

The hotel is situated right on the quay with views of Brownsea island .We did not eat in the hotel as the prices seemed high and there were loads of resturants and pubs nearby including 'the quay' which is a weatherspoon pub and the food was very reasonable.Overall the hotel was very good with plenty to do nearby.

“would go back”

Nicely situated for the boats,and shops,staff very helpful,brealfast choice excellent,one small grumble and that is a personal thing we do not like television on in the bar,with a football game on it got a bit noisey.

“Great Location, decent hotel”

The hotel staff was very nice, and the hotel is in a great location to many attractions. My main complanint was that the room never really seemed cleaned, and basics liks soap and shampoo were only replaced once in 2 weeks.

“Thistle Hotel Poole - Great Location”

Great location, right on the quay, with a small, comfortable bar on the ground floor, overlooking the quayside and marina. As is often the case, the hotel's public areas were fairly well maintained, although the ladies' loos on the ground floor left a lot to be desired! The bedrooms at the back of the hotel on the second floor were comfortable and quiet, but over-furnished, and both the bedroom and bathroom were badly in need of refurbishment.

“OK for a 1 night stay unless you upgrade”

We had a room on the ground floor facing the car par to the rear of the hotel. I had requested a double bed and was surprised that the bed was only 4'6" wide but it was comfortable. The decor of the room needs to be updated and is looking very tired. The lighting was not good spotlights in the ceiling and all the bedside and table lights had longlife bulbs generating a poor light. I think had the lighting been better the room would have looked alot worse. The drink making area was situated in a good position but was dangerously high, for pouring hot water into the mugs. The shower in the bath could not be removed from the the wall and could not be adjusted that much either. The water was warm but could have been warmer. There was not a non slip mat in the bath and the water however careful did go over the bathroom floor. Please rip the bath out and install a decent shower. The sink taps dripped. The bath towels however were lovely and big and made a change from the miniscule ones usually supplied. The hand towels were on the small side but perfectly adequate. The cost of the car park situated at the rear of the hotel was excessive at £5 especially as it was covered in snow and empty. We could have parked in the road out the front for free! We stayed at the hotel for our convience as we were attending a function there that night. The service at the function was poor with the service of food being very slow the veg was not cooked and it was cold. The bar service was good,

“Not very impressed”

Whilst the location of hotel was excellent, the hotel is dated and the staff were not friendly. There was a wedding at the hotel on the day we arrived and we were placed in a room next door to the wedding venue. Whilst I appreciate that weddings can be noisy at no point did the hotel staff notify us that there may be some disturbances. What with wedding guests fighting and then crying in the corridor until 3am made for a very unpleasant stay. Although I reported this to the hotel on check out I was informed that there was a night porter on who should have dealt with this, needless to say this did not happen. Being heavily pregnant at 8 months what was supposed to be a relaxing weekend away turned into a nightmare. The room itself was clean and tidy on checkin however the room together with the hotel is dated and in need of bringing up to today's standard.

“Overrated”

Housekeeping was slovenly: Bedside light did not work. It was not the bulb, it was broken Tea coffee had not been re-stocked, there was no milk Two guests one bath robe. That is cheapskate

“Not at all impressed”

There was a strange smell in the hotel and it did not feel clean.

“Overpriced hotel with very poor condition and maintenance”

Bathroom was in need of major renovation work. There were hairs all over the bath. Curtains were broken. This is a completely overpriced hotel !