Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.0
#117 of 163 hotels in Edinburgh
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
The Edinburgh Thistle Hotel is located in the prestigious, quiet and residential west end area of Edinburgh New Town.The hotel is central and near to Edinburgh Castle, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and of course the renowned Princes Street with its vast array of stylish shops and stores. Established in 1924, the hotel has retained most of its original period features, having once been a Georgian Town House.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Residential Neighbourhood
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English
Location
59 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7EG Scotland
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel
1,116 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
The Edinburgh Thistle Hotel garners mixed feedback, with its prime location often lauded by guests for its convenience to nearby attractions. While the hotel's quaint and charming atmosphere is acknowledged, many travelers suggest that the charm is marred by dated rooms and insufficient cleanliness.
The service receives a nod for friendliness, but falls short in areas of breakfast and room service. Amenities and value are points of contention, with unmet expectations and additional charges leaving guests feeling that improvements are needed.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
I had a wonderful stay made even better by the staff!
The hotel was exactly as I expected, warm, cozy, a nice Scottish feel. My room faced a private garden so I had a nice view, very quiet, the bed was comfortable, the shower with (it seemed) endless hot water. The breakfast was lovely…a full Scottish served in a very nice room. The neighborhood was also nice….lovely apartments along the street and a huge church just up the road. A very short walk to the center…not even noticeable since there are so many things to see!
What made my stay special was the staff. I’ve never met such friendly and helpful people at a hotel! Antoinetta (from Italy) told me many things about the city; she even told me the airport bus stop (much closer than Waverly Station). I don’t think I know the night gentleman’s name (he told me he was from Edinburgh) but he was a pleasure to talk to when I came back from my days out…friendly, helpful, and full of smiles and conversation. I truly enjoyed both of these staff members and the owners should be commended on having such great staff! A definite stay again!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I stayed here for one night last Thursday and our stay albeit a short one was very enjoyable indeed.
From my initial correspondence, throughout until when we were leaving on Friday, Greg the owner could not have been more helpful and welcoming.
What made our stay even more enjoyable was meeting Greg's three little helpers ( his family ) who were getting stuck into the cleaning /changeover of the rooms, and chatting to us at reception. What charming little children and so nice to see kids being so happy without being attached to technology.
This is a lovely little hotel that is full of character and the moment you walk through the door you have a feeling of being welcomed into a friend's home.
The hotel is in a great location and it is a nice walk to other areas of the city. I personally prefer smaller private hotels to the larger chain options.
Next time we plan to stay in Edinburgh we would hope to stay here again and would highly recommend this hotel.
Thank you to Greg and his little team!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:We had the Manor Suite which is large and very comfortable and faces out to the front of the hotel.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Arrived after a long journey from Kent due to rail problems after storm Arwen. Although reception wasn’t manned we had been sent clear instructions on how to get in. On opening the door to a lovely Christmassy reception area we felt like we were home. The Manor Suite was lovely, lots of original features and spotlessly clean. Very comfortable bed. A continental breakfast was served by a very friendly & attentive lady who could not do enough for us. She was also very happy to offer help and advice on the local area. It was a 15 minute walk to Princes Street and the Christmas Markets or about £6/7 in a taxi. We also walked in the other direction to Stockbridge along the river walk. Lovely village feel with lots of coffee shops and Independent shops. The Thistle is a lovely little hotel in a good quiet location. Would definitely recommend and will book again.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I guess the hotel and breakfast is ok at the lower rate I paid on a booking site £36/night double room w/ bfast. On the other hand I don’t think I would pay more. The hotel and rooms are dated and cleanliness is a bit hit and miss (dirty used coffee mug in the room, stains on towels and bedding& old carpet . I didn’t use the bar as it looked really depressing and I barely saw anyone in there (receptionist seems to man the bar as well, no music, not TV no atmosphere). Was not asked if I enjoyed my stay upon departure, the hotel itself kind of looks like its run solely on cost cutting, nothing offered beyond the absolute basic (not even a hair dryer in room as suggested otherwise on the website) Breakfast was ok just toast pastries and a few slices of fruits (think skin on brown apple wedges thrown into a bowl), ham and cheese. Pros: location (walking distance to Haymarket station and trams) price (if booked online at a lower rate). Cons: cleanliness, amenities and service.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:No lift so better off staying on first floor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a lovely old Georgian hotel in a quiet neighbor in the West End. It is a 5 minute walk from the West End tram stop, which makes airport trips easy. Our room (#30) was on the 3rd floor (there is no lift - be sure you are able to manage several flights of stairs) - it was not huge, but adequate for two. It was hot and the room was stuffy during our stay (the heavy drapes do darken the room on a midsummer night, but also block the fresh evening air from coming in) - but there was a fan in the room to provide air movement. The room was a little tired, but clean, and we had a lovely view of Edinburgh Castle. The desk attendants were all friendly and helpful, and housekeeping respected our “do not disturb” door hanger. Price was in line with what similar properties were charging, although breakfast was an extra cost (we did not have it). Overall, a very pleasant stay with a convenient location. We would definitely stay again!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:There is no lift - be sure you can manage multiple flights of stairs.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The positives: great location within walking distance to Haymarket station, St. Mary’s Cathedral & about a 20 minute walk to Princess Street. 30 minutes will get you to the Royal mile. If you’re looking for a bite to eat or a great pub, there are many to choose from within a 5 minute walk. Beds are extremely comfortable & the place is very quiet. Staff are friendly & professional.
The only drawback I could mention is the bathroom in our room could use some attention. The shower had a lot of mold growth & the toilet wasn’t bolted to the floor. The floor was very spongy, which I can only assume is a result of the toilet & shower leaking underneath the flooring. The dispenser for body wash & shampoo should also be retired & replaced as the buttons kept dropping out of the body of the dispenser. The towel warmer was not functional, and was almost detached from the wall. Electrical tape was wrapped around the power connection & appeared damaged.
Would I stay here again? Definitely. But I would request a room with a better maintained or renovated bathroom.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is possibly the worst hotel I’ve ever booked. We checked out the next morning and went elsewhere. The shower is covered in mould. The radiator in the bathroom is connected to mains with tape. The bathroom floor feels like it is going to collapse. There were mould stains on a pillowcase. The sofa bed was broken. The staff was rude and unhelpful. The manager refused to speak with us the next morning and told us to speak with Booking.com. This place needs to be shut down. Have to wonder if the 4 & 5 stars on here are genuine.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Do not stay here.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My Friend and I visited Edinburgh for 2 nights and stayed at the Thistle Hotel, we did get it on a very good Groupon Deal.
In these Covid times it did seem very strange to be staying in a Hotel with no Staff until the Mornings. We were prewarned about this in a email before we went and that email had clear instructions regarding Checking In and advising there would be no Housekeeping. Upon talking to the lovely Lady that did the Continental Breakfast she explained they had lost all their Staff due to Brexit and then Covid! Greg the owner of The Thistle was very Friendly and we enjoyed chatting with him both Mornings. The Breakfast was adequate, we were able to have Porridge and there was Gluten Free Bread for Toast for me.
There were a couple of issues in our Room Number 2, the Bathroom door stuck a lot and the Blind at the Window was a challenge to use, you need to be at least 6ft tall. It was quite cold in the Room too. Having said all that, it really didn't concern us too much, the Room and Bedding were clean. All the charm of a very old Building with History.
Reading previous Reviews we were shocked how unfair and nasty some of them are. We are living in tough times due to Covid and Hospitality has been hit so hard. This Hotel is a small business and obviously has been effected, they aren't a Big Branded Hotel Chain that can cope. Personally, places and people like this should be supported.
They have plans to refurbish in the Winter months, so look forward too visiting again in 2022 and hopefully life will be back to some normality. We wish Greg well for the Future.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:This is a very old Georgian Hotel, should you have mobility issues, which I do. There isnt a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I strongly advice AGAINST staying at this hotel. I did notice a lot of bad reviews but decided to take a chance and book anyway, which in hindsight turned out to be a costly mistake. The hotel was dated, shabby and unwelcoming. The room was absolutely filthy, as has previously been mentioned in other reviews, hairs from previous residents littered all over the bedcovers and bathroom competing with the dead flies. The room was cold and when I politely asked a member of staff if perhaps the heating could be turned up (or even on) I was laughed at and refused. I was unable to open the window to air the room due to a wasps nest outside the window, the bottle of prosecco, which the hotel boasts awaited guests was absent, as were the staff, turning up only for a couple of hours in the day and then I found them to be lazy and unhelpful. Unfortunately I had to endure 2 nights there to then go on to an absolutely fabulously CLEAN hotel in Dalkeith. Avoid The Thistle Hotel at all costs and quite how it remains opens is a mystery!! Future guests should be aware that there is no free parking nearby (the nearest being a 25 minute walk) and if you are unfortunate enough to be placed on the 3rd floor maybe an inhaler would be useful because the stairs go on forever and unfortunately the hotel does not stretch to a lift for the residents convenience.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Don't waste your money, try another hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we have stayed at this hotel before and find it great. superb location, nice and quiet, it's not got the feel of a big chain hotel but it was clean, tidy and the staff were great. the breakfast was ideal as we are not big cooked breakfast folk and the lady who served us could not do enough for you some people have not given this hotel great ratings but for the price for a central hotel we thought it was great
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
not sure about before as we didn’t require it but we were allowed to leave our two suitcases at the hotel after we checked out due to our train home not being till later on that day!!
Boldon, United Kingdom65 contributions1 helpful vote
We went by train for our break as it worked out cheaper than taking a car as it's £20 got parking it's o the hotels website it's a nice walk in to town also
There are more places to choose from in the Edinburgh area.
PRICE RANGE
€127 - €209 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
thistle edinburgh, edinburgh thistle
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandEdinburghWest End
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
