Thistle London Piccadilly

Hotel Description

You know what strikes you first about the Thistle London Piccadilly? It’s that moment when you step inside and realize you’ve found something that actually feels like London – not some corporate chain trying to be London. I mean, the building sits right on Coventry Street, and honestly, you couldn’t ask for a better spot to dive into the city’s chaos in the best possible way.

The location is pretty incredible – you’re literally a two-minute stumble from Leicester Square (perfect after a late theater show), and Piccadilly Circus is right there with all its neon madness. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: you’re also tucked away just enough that you’re not dealing with the absolute mayhem 24/7. The side streets around there have this great energy during the day, then settle into something more manageable by evening. I’ve stayed in places right on the main drags before, and trust me, the constant noise gets old fast. The rooms themselves have this solid, traditional British hotel feel – not trying too hard to be modern, but comfortable in a way that works. The beds are actually decent (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms are properly sized, which you can’t always count on in central London. What I really appreciated was how the staff seemed to know the neighborhood inside and out. Ask them about getting to Camden Market or where to grab a proper Sunday roast, and you’ll get real recommendations, not just the tourist trap stuff.

The whole experience feels like staying somewhere that locals might actually recommend to their visiting friends, which is rarer than you’d think in this part of town. Sure, it’s not some ultra-luxury palace, but it doesn’t need to be – it’s got that sweet spot of being comfortable, well-located, and genuinely helpful without the pretension. During my stay, I found myself using it as a perfect base camp for everything from West End shows to wandering through Soho’s winding streets, then coming back to decompress without feeling like I was miles from the action. The four-star rating feels right – it delivers on what matters most when you’re exploring London.

Rooms

• Standard Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children

Facilities