You know what struck me first about the Thistle London Holborn? It’s one of those hotels that actually feels like it belongs in Bloomsbury – not trying too hard to be trendy, just solid and comfortable in a neighborhood that’s seen everything. The building sits right on Bloomsbury Way, which honestly is perfect if you’re the type who likes to walk everywhere. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute stroll from the British Museum, and Russell Square is right there when you need some green space to decompress.
The lobby has this classic British hotel vibe – think dark wood and burgundy accents without feeling stuffy about it. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward (no upselling nonsense), and the staff seemed to actually know the area when I asked about dinner spots. The rooms are what I’d call properly sized for London – not huge, but thoughtfully laid out so you’re not bumping into furniture. The beds are genuinely comfortable, which honestly matters more than fancy marble bathrooms when you’re dealing with jet lag. Speaking of bathrooms, they’re clean and functional with decent water pressure, though the lighting could be better for morning routines.
What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays at night, even though you’re in central London. Bloomsbury has this residential feel that a lot of visitors don’t expect – it’s not like staying near Oxford Street where there’s constant noise. The neighborhood actually settles down after evening hours, so you can sleep without earplugs. During the day though, you’ve got Lamb’s Conduit Street just a short walk away (seriously underrated for independent shops and cafes), and if you’re into the whole literary London thing, you’re surrounded by spots where Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group used to hang out. The hotel doesn’t make a big deal about this stuff, but it’s there if you care about that sort of thing.
The 7.9 rating makes sense to me – it’s not going to blow you away with flashy amenities, but it gets the fundamentals right. Breakfast is decent British hotel fare, WiFi actually works throughout the building, and they don’t nickel and dime you for every little thing. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I wanted to be close to the museums but not in the thick of tourist chaos. It’s the kind of place where you can walk to Covent Garden or King’s Cross in about fifteen minutes, but still feel like you’re staying somewhere with a bit of neighborhood character.