Housed in a grand Victorian building, the Thistle Hotel is located in Bristol's historic and commercial center, within 500 meters of the harbor, bars and shops. The 182 guestrooms have a warm décor with carpeted floors, wooden furniture and coordinating patterned fabrics and upholstery. All include satellite television, dial-up Internet connections, coffee and tea making facilities, minibars and trouser presses.
Guests can sample modern international dishes in the restaurant, enjoy a late night drink in the bar or keep fit in the leisure center where they will find an indoor pool, gym sauna, steam room and spa tub. Business guests can make use of the ten meeting rooms, the largest of which seats 600 people. The concierge can help book shows and restaurants; there are also laundry facilities and room service. Guests arriving by car will find parking spaces at the hotel (fee). Guests are 300 meters from the main Broadmead shopping district and within one mile of attractions including the harbor area with its bars, cinemas and museums and the SS Great Britain. The famous Clifton Suspension Bridge is two miles away. For those arriving by train, Temple Meads station is about one mile from the hotel; alternatively, Bristol airport is eight miles away, connected by bus and taxi to the city center.