We had seen this hotel on hotelbookings.com (a website offering to save you around 75% of the normal cost) and then went onto the actual Thistle Hotel webpage and saw the hotel were actually selling the rooms £20 cheaper, so decided to book directly with the hotel, (have used hotel bookings in the past and thought they were normally cheaper but not on this occasion to any of the hotels I looked at on the day of booking).

Decided to drive down to Brighton and just walk in off the street, the price the hotel quoted was the same online as it was when we walked in, you don't have to have breakfast although she did quote the price as with, until I asked for room only. They had a choice of double or twin rooms, we opted for the twin, (we are both light sleepers and wake easily!) The twin beds were big, never had a twin room before anywhere so not sure if big single beds are standard in twin rooms, but just so you know they do fit 2 people on quite easily, the rooms are quite big and you don't feel cramped at all.

The rooms have a small fridge built in which is ideal for stuff you might bring with you, we had a few cans and bottles with us, they even provide you with a fitted bottle opener on the wall in the room as well as a safe, tv, kettle, iron + board and hairdryer, also plenty of hangers which is good. The shower was powerful, (more so than the one in my own bathroom at home), it is run off mixer tap things though just for reference. They have soap, large and small towels, shower cap, spare loo roll, shampoo and showel gel in the bathroom.

The bed linen was clean and the bed itself very comfortable, extra pillows are available in the room if needed, I myself being a light sleeper forgot to put my ear plugs in when I went to bed (passed out) when I woke in the early hours I could hear a generator kind of buzzing noise, perhaps it was the heating for the hotel, although we never had ours on, when I finally found my earplugs it was back to the land of nod (this noise is not overly loud I am just a naff sleeper)

Quiet rooms - We never heard any banging doors or any kind of noise from guests, however we did have an adjoining room (room 449) our door was open leading into the other room, we did not try the neighbours door but we think that it may have been as open as ours, the door does have a key that locks it but perhaps it had been overlooked on this occasion... not too sure but we weren't burgled so that was something, the adjoining door did rattle a bit when the neighbours came and left their room, so we got one of the spare pillows and shut it in between both the doors... it worked a treat :)

Spa health facilities - these were good, that is what we were after when choosing a hotel to stay at, they are free for guests to use, they have a small gym area that is adequate, I never got to use as I forgot to pack my trainers etc, but I did remember my swimming costume and had a good swim, its a hotel pool so isn't massive but it was a good size for a leisurely swim, I did use the steam room and sauna as well, they have secure lockers in the changing rooms as well as showers and hairdryers all free for guests to use, but no cubicles to change in, so if you are a bit shy then either get changed in the shower cubicle or the toilet they have in there.

The hotel location - Located on the seafront in a good location, this hotel suits all, if you exit the hotel from the back of the hotel it brings you out to the lanes, here there are many shops, bars and restaurants that should suit most tastes, a short walk and you reach the main shopping precinct, or the theatre if thats what you fancy, if you exit the hotel out the front of the hotel you are right on the seafront, if then you head left you arrive at the pier or further still the Marina (although a car is needed or a good pair of walking shoes!), if you go right you head towards the Brighton Centre also Oceana night club (big club) Wetherspoons is up the Oceana road (West Street) as is Yates and a few other bars.

Parking - 24 hours at the hotel (which is not actually the hotels private parking) is £20, probably best to just park your car in there, its below the hotel and it saves the hassle of driving round the town only to realise that this is the cheapest you will pay, good as well as the hotel does have a lift that brings you up from parking lot to the hotel reception, normal parking at this place is only £23 for 24hours. I have before parked my car on the outskirts of Brighton and caught the bus in and out, its ok but when you have luggage it is a bit difficult, we did drop the luggage off into the room last time but the last thing you want to be doing on check out is going across town to pick up your car... just pay the rate of the parking and get on with enjoying your stay :) x