The Thistle Inn


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The Thistle Inn descritpion


This friendly, family-run inn/bed and breakfast offers a mix of well-equipped rooms and chalets, and has a reputation for hospitality that brings back valued guests year after year.
The establishment will provide the comfort, facilities and welcome to ensure you enjoy Stranraer and the surrounding area. With a family license and a perfect location, the staff hopes that you too will become a regular visitor.
Situated right in the heart of Stranraer, the Inn/bed and breakfast is a perfect base for your vacation. The great location means that you are just a short walk from all the attractions, shopping and delights that the town has to offer.

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Facilities of The Thistle Inn

Pets :Pets are not allowed.

Activities :Golf Course (within 2 miles) | Karaoke

Food & Drink :Bar

Internet :Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking :Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General :Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reviews for The Thistle Inn

Review 1:Minor negative points: the small car park and the small bathroom. However, these were minor and very much outweighed by the positive aspects.

Review 2:The bed was comfortable, everything was very clean and tidy and the staff were excellent and very helpful. We needed one night's stay before leaving very early for the ferry, for a funeral in Ireland. When I explained we'd be leaving well before breakfast time, the lady in charge gave us cereal boxes, bowls, fruit, bottled fruit juice etc for the morning, and went out to buy a bottle of milk for us. I cannot say how much we appreciated the friendliness and helpfulness, particularly in view of our reason for staying in Stranraer. Thank you so much.

Review 3:No one to Check us in had to call a number. Talked to someone who said we were in room 1. Didn't see someone until we called again, paid. Then we had no towels, called again, got towels. In the morning no hot water. Sorry I can't recommend it.

Review 4:The Tv didn't work at all and was smaller than my laptop screen. Although the shower worked it was impossible (due to boiling hot water and freezing water and nothing inbetween )to use - was very disappointed. For a Scottish breakfast it was disappointingly mediocre, wouldn't have paid for breakfast if had known would have went to Morrisons as its round the corner.

Review 5:The bed was very comfortable. Room had nice decor. After boat from Ireland was delayed it was handy to have own key and arrive at any time. Really liked the room itself. If the things that annoyed me were fixed it would be very good. But as for price to quality ratio it needs to be improved.

Review 6:Lack of ensuite for family room, and poor wifi(kept crashing). Also although fully aware there would be noise from bar (as it was stated in the accommodation guide ) I did not expect to be directly above the bar and it was very loud although it did stop promptly at 1am.

Review 7:Staff were great. Very friendly and helpful.

Review 8:Cold tap in bathroom very hard to turn off & bin hadn't been emptied. Bucket of cigarette butts outside front door not very welcoming.

Review 9:Free Wi-Fi. Room itself very clean.

Review 10:Beds weren't the best,sliding door kept falling off the roller.could hear person next door snoring!!! Kept me awake nearly all night!!!

Review 11:Room had easy access for disabled people

Review 12:there is no bar, this is not a hotel, its a b and b, chalet we stayed in, no. 3, bathroom was tiny and barely fit for purpose, staff never spoke to us, not a friendly atmosphere, didn't even say goodbye when we paid £116 and left on the 11th August 2015

Review 13:off the road parking

Review 14:Room décor was let down by old faded pictures, not needed. Door was very difficult to lock . Parking was difficult in space provided.

Review 15:We were in chalet at the back of B&B. Clean and fresh rooms, friendly staff.

Review 16:someone forgot to empty the bin in the bathroom.

Review 17:it was more like a chalet than a hotel, which suited me fine, no steps or lift needed. warm n friendly people. thank you

Review 18:Chalet was spotless clean.staff couldn't have been more helpful if they tried.beds nice and comfy.we were even asked wot time our train was and when we said 2.45 we were told there was no rush to check out. Nice honest down to earth decent people.My kind of person . would highly recommend and will be staying again in the future.

Review 19:The lady who greeted us had no personality and didn't explain anything, I went to the shared bathroom to be greeted with someone's towel and dirty underwear laying on the floor. This place is dated and appalling value for money, not to mention booking a family in a room above a public bar with karaoke going on so little if no sleep.

Review 20:Nothing

Review 21:There wasn't anyone to check us in so we just walked into room 2 and put on bags down, later on (about 6:30pm) a lady was there and said we can go into room 2 as the door was now open (we opened it) so really it worked out for the both of us.

Review 22:It has a homely feel to it and a tv with local accents :)

Review 23:The stay at the thistle inn was better than expected because we have stayed in worse for a lot more money.9yr old granddaughter loved the fact it was a real bed for her and not a cheap sofa bed.thanks also to George the taxi driver who also ended up as our tour guide.we will be staying again at the thistle inn as everything was great and could not fault the staff in any way,the breakfast was good and we were asked if we wanted any more.the day we were leaving we were told not to rush and if we wanted a tea and coffee and they would bring it round to the room as I say you could not fault the lovely staff in anything.

Review 24:However, both rooms were the same, a double bed and a single, I was charged £58 for a double when price stated £53. On the morning of departure we were told that we had not opted to have breakfast we would have to pay extra, when I had received an email from The Thistle Inn saying breakfast included, and told that booking.com do this regularly

Review 25:The pub at the front of the Inn was lovely, the barmaid was really friendly. The rooms were really comfortable.

Review 26:Rooms have poor sound insulation. I could hear either sides conversations and snoring. We've had so much better for the same money.

Review 27:Near the ferry terminal.

Review 28:Some of the lighting didn't work but this was soon rectified as with heating. Very fast action :)

Review 29:I enjoyed my stay the room was very clean and bins emptied every day, fresh towels every day. Staff were very approachable

Review 30:The room was small but was all we needed as we weren't spending much time in it, decor, bedding and furniture a bit dated and the cups and spoons in my room weren't clean.

Review 31:the Staff were nice, the breakfast was good and the location was good near shops, pubs and restaurants, but not noisy

Review 32:Location is old, a bit grim and very close to some well used pubs! Rooms are set out like some motels i.e. row of boxes in a courtyard - but not modern. Breakfast was unavailable. Noise from adjacent room.

Review 33:It was a place to stop.

Review 34:the booming music laughing shouting and general loud chat till gone 1am. The point of staying there was to get early ferry the next morning. It was expensive for size of room and to not include breakfast.

Review 35:near to port so very handy for ferry

Review 36:Stayed over with two small kids before travelling to Ireland the next day. Room was basic but had everything we needed, the lady who runs the place was great and very accommodating as we weren't arriving until very late. Friendly, comfortable, and made our onward journey a lot easier.

Review 37:Very convenient for early ferry. Liked the motel style room. Although they were having problems with the heating system they did everything possible to make us comfortable.

Review 38:heater could not get room up to even marginally warm. I asked proprietor for a spare fan heater but apparently they didn't have one. I went to Morrisons and bought a halogen heater and ran it all night! Toilet seat was loose - not just a bit loose but completely unattached!

Review 39:location good for pubs and restaurants and sea front

Review 40:none everything was great would be back next year for curling comp.

Review 41:We needed accommodation for 8 people, the night before a curling match. When we arrived we received a warm welcome and when they noticed our daughter has diffuculity walking, they were quick to suggest an alternative room. The rooms were clean, warm and comfortable, in the morning we had a full breakfast there was also cereal crumpets, toast and tea and coffee which you could top up when needed.

Review 42:Could have stayed longer if we had time.

Review 43:Spotlessly clean. Wonderful attentive staff. Nothing too much bother and very pleasant to deall with. Would certainly recommend to friends.

Review 44:Doona too small We arrived when it was wet and windy and room opened straight in to the elements Overpriced for what you get.

Review 45:Nothing Breakfast was OK

Review 46:Nothing not to not like for us.

Review 47:This was a lovely hotel close to ferry terminal great as we were sailing next day - What a warm welcome we got on arrival, rooms were clean & comfy. As we were leaving early in the morning did not have breakfast which would think would have been lovely, The Lady in charge of the bar gave us a free drink & pointed us to a great restaurant for dinner. Would book this hotel again.

Review 48:Didn't realise the bar was only open at weekends as we were staying during the week and the en-suite bathroom was a bit small

Review 49:Liked the idea of being in a chalet with a good sized room and your own door instead of just a room, staff was friendly and helpful

Review 50:Hotel didn't have the booking confirmed through booking.com The room was tiny and the bathroom even smaller.

Review 51:Friendly staff. Good wifi. Parking outside. Good shower. Reasonable value for money

Review 52:my son and i where down for a weekend fishing boat left at 9 on sunday morning and was told that breakfast would not be eserved until at least 9 so we were given some cerial and milk what we had to keep cool in bathroom sink until the morning and the sink kept draining out in 10 to 15 minutes so the milk was luke warm in the morning

Review 53:clean and tidy room central location

Review 54:Staff were excellent, nothing was too much trouble for them. Breakfast was lovely

Review 55:Warm welcome, clean room & lovely breakfast. Would definitely come back to stay longer. Great quality bedding. Thanks

Review 56:Accommodation feels like a home for the elderly rather than a B&B.

Review 57:Cheap

Review 58:Basic but comfortable for an overnight stay in one of the "chalets" . Bed, loo and shower and own front door.

Review 59:The room was conveniently located and reasonably priced. I would like to have been shown where everything in the room is and how things work.

Review 60:Owners poor customer relations. No towel. No heating

Review 61:The price. Good value

Review 62:Easy check in. Great location for the ferry in the morning

Review 63:Lovely breakfast - not shy with the portions, excellent value for money. Off street parking, central location Clean

Review 64:The chalet we had gave us the quiet stay we needed. Ten minutes from Cairnryan ferry. Off-road parking. Five minutes walk to excellent restaurant.

Review 65:seemed a bit sad and run down

Review 66:nice and quiet. slept well. friendly host

Review 67:No top up for coffee or milk but thats me being picky.

Review 68:Comfortable stay, great location for ferry to belfast.

Review 69:The room, the bedding, the bed, the bathroom, the TV, basically everything!

Review 70:They had problems with hot water heater for washbasin

Review 71:Everything was very very good.

Review 72:The area is great It's very close to the town centre and convenient for ferry passengers too

Review 73:Price. Handy to Belfast ferry

Review 74:Breakfast

Review 75:Wifi not very good,

Review 76:Good value for money

Review 77:Rooms need upgraded. Decoration was poor.

Review 78:A bit run down

Review 79:Not much

Review 80:Noughing

Review 81:Second vist to the thistle in the same chalet it fits our needs

Review 82:It is located near the town for links to the ferry and the staff were very friendly.

Review 83:Convenience and helpfulness of staff. Car parking a little awkward.

Review 84:Car park was small

Review 85:Very close to the town.staff were lovely and friendly.perfect for a couple

Review 86:Breakfast could be better

Review 87:Location and off road parking

Review 88:Very small bathroom. Bed sloping downhill.

Review 89:Good breakfast

Review 90:Next door neighbours

Review 91:Bar staff

Review 92:Staff were fantastic. Third time stopping before the ferry to Northern Ireland. Great value b&b.

Review 93:Pleasantly surprised, standard much higher than some reviews led me to believe.

Review 94:Not far to walk to Harbour

Review 95:Nothing in particular concerning. A bit on the tiny side but reasonable value for accom cost

Review 96:Friendly, welcoming staff.

Review 97:It was convenient for the ferry and central to pubs restaurants in Stranraer. It was a very reasonable cost.

Review 98:No WiFi in the breakfast room. (WiFi everywhere else OK).

Review 99:Easy access in Chalet accommodation. Able to store my bicycle safely.

Review 100:No hot water in wash basin towels worn out

Review 101:friendly helpfull staff anything you need there quick to sort you out . well kept rooms very clean and tidy .

Review 102:Avoid breakfast

Review 103:Inexpensive Chalet. No bother.

Review 104:Good parking off road, close to town centre with pubs cafes and petrol station. close to the ferry terminal if you're off to Ireland.

Review 105:Small "tierd" looking bathroom

Review 106:Very good value for price

Review 107:It was quiet and had good free wi fi

Review 108:Soundproofing from adjacent rooms is non existent. The area is a bit grim, but safe.

Review 109:Cost

Review 110:Walls not too soundproof if a snorer next door!

Review 111:Direct access to own en-suite chalet. Good facilities. Delightful staff.

Review 112:small TV

Review 113:friendly helpful staff nice clean room ,,nice breakfast

Review 114:Like it all very friendly made you at home

Review 115:Staff were lovely, room was huge and very comfortable.

Review 116:Own chalet style room.

Review 117:None

Review 118:Does exactly what it says on the tin ideal for Cairnryan and brilliant value for money

Review 119:So welcome

The Fine Print

Please note that The Thistle is an inn, not a hotel. Rooms are located above the bar, and in chalets to the back of the car park.Please note that the inn plays music on a Friday and Saturday night.If you expect to arrive after 22.00 please inform the property in advance using the contact details found on the booking confirmation.