Press Office

Thistle Poole is home to breath-taking sea views, which make it the perfect backdrop for you to say ‘I do’. Bride and grooms all around the country will be gearing up to book their upcoming nuptials in 2020, and Thistle hotels know that choosing your venue is one of the most important decisions you make. Which is why we are hosting a Wedding Showcase on 3rd October for couples to come along and see why we think Thistle Poole is the number one wedding venue in Dorset. 

Thistle Poole is located right on the coast in stunning Dorset, and with unrivalled sea views it really is a truly wondrous location to say ‘I do’. Guests will be bowled over by the natural beauty of the harbour, and the large panoramic windows in the hotel give way to an abundance of unspoilt landscape. 

The two function rooms available at Thistle Poole can be decorated to suit your unique style, and our expert wedding planners will be on hand to make the whole day run like clockwork, so you won’t need to worry about a thing. Come along and meet our dedicated wedding planning team and preferred suppliers who’ll help you to start to play your perfect day.

With the competitively priced wedding offers, it’s no wonder Thistle Poole is one of the most popular venues for wedding breakfasts and civil ceremonies. Thistle Poole knows that weddings can be expensive, and so it prides itself on making sure you’ll have the most memorable day of your life without having to worry about how much you’re spending and you won’t have to compromise on quality.

On October 3rd make sure you come along to our Wedding Showcase to see what the fuss is about! Come and marvel at the amazing backdrop for yourself, and to see if you can picture yourself getting married at this one of a kind location. Parking is free, plus we’ll be offering complimentary bucks fizz and canapes.

For bookings and more information.

LONDON, NOVEMBER 2018: Sudeep Majumdar has now been appointed General Manager of Thistle Express Swindon, in addition to his existing role as General Manager at Thistle Express London Luton.

Last year, Sudeep was directly involved in the successful opening of both Thistle Express properties, and with nearly 20 years of hospitality experience, he is very well positioned to take on this new role and achieve high standards across this exciting new brand.

Forming one of the five brands that sit within the glh Hotels group, Thistle Express is aimed at the savvy, value-conscious, modern traveller. It’s hotels offer fast, free Wi-Fi, bottomless tea and coffee and free buffet breakfast for all guests. Guests will find Smart TVs in every bedroom, along with blackout curtains and Hypnos mattresses for a good night’s sleep. With no need to check out, Thistle Express is turning the traditional hotel experience on its head.

In addition to ensuring that both properties are running seamlessly, Sudeep is dedicated to ensuring both hotel guests and his team are satisfied. His key objectives for the brand include building relationships with local businesses and communities and he balances his roles across both the hotels by focussing on team development and empowering his staff.

Sudeep says, “I am incredibly excited about expanding the Thistle Express brand, as there is so much scope to be creative and forward thinking. Working with glh Hotels provides the freedom and capability to do the job to the very best of my ability. At the end of day, positive client feedback is our ultimate ambition and that is what gives me a buzz and spurs me on.”

In his free time, Sudeep enjoys watching cricket and Formula 1.  

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For all media enquiries please contact Flora and Ruth in the glh Hotels press office at Launch on 0207 7558 3900 or reach the team at glh@hellolaunch.co.uk

London, July 2018: As World Cup action reaches fever pitch and the Wimbledon final is just days away, Thistle Hotels has unveiled its new concept sports bar at Thistle City Barbican Hotel.

With plans to roll out at Thistle Trafalgar Square and Thistle Heathrow later this year, the RE:PLAY Bar has been created to give sports fans the perfect destination to sit back and relax, and watch all the action.

Focussing on great value, good food and the perfect tipple, RE:PLAY has been designed with you in mind, to make you feel right at home with our down to earth and friendly service.

To tantalise your taste buds, the chefs at Thistle have created a modern menu, perfect for sharing, including baskets of chicken wings with spicy garlic and paprika glaze, stacked pulled brisket and burnt beef ends with sweet gherkins, and a vegan-friendly falafel and spinach burger with beetroot and rosemary houmous. Sweet options include a retro banana split and a sticky toffee cheesecake.

RE:PLAY Bar also offers a wide selection of drinks to enjoy as you watch the match, including a signature gin menu, bottled IPA’s, draft lagers and ciders. Alongside a range of delicious cocktails, including Passionfruit Martini, Bellini Rossini and Sicilian Southside.

Whether you want to catch the World Cup, Wimbledon or the Open, the 10 big screens at RE:PLAY Bar will ensure you never miss a moment of the game. Pop in for a quick pit stop and check the score, or grab a booth with a private screen*** with a group of mates and enjoy great food and drink.

From now until 15th July, unbeatable deals will be on offer including six bottles of beer for £20* and two baskets of chicken wings for £10**.

RE:PLAY Bar at Thistle Hotel City Barbican opened on 18th June 2018, and is open every day 7am till midnight – so you can catch this year’s unmissable World Cup Series now.

For more information, please visit www.thistle.com/BarbicanReplayBar  

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For all media enquiries please contact Ashlie or Ruth at Launch on 0207 758 3900 or email glh@hellolaunch.co.uk

*Choose from 330ml Heineken, Birra Moretti, Sol or Tiger

** Two baskets contain 12 chicken wings

*** Five booths available seating six people. Each booth has a private screen.

LONDON, JUNE 2018: Stephen Mileham, the former general manager of Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa, has joined glh Hotels to take over the running of two of the Thistle Hotels properties.

Stephen, who took up the post in April 2018, will manage the group’s west London Thistle properties, Thistle Kensington Gardens with its 175 bedrooms, as well as the historic Thistle Hyde Park which has 54 bedrooms.

Tasked with growing the revenue of the two properties, both of which have recently had their food and beverage offering updated with a new, fresh menu and in-room service, Stephen will focus on building the hotels’ room, F&B and M&E sales.

Mike Magrane, Operations Director at glh Hotels, said: “Stephen was the clear choice for this unique brief by a country mile. We have some exciting plans in the pipeline for the Thistle brand, so this is a really great time for Stephen to come on board and drive our plans forward, whilst also building on the successes of the two properties.”

Stephen, who started his hotel management career in 2004, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Stephen said: “I’m thrilled to be joining glh Hotels as it continues on its exciting journey delivering great London hospitality. Thistle Kensington Gardens and Thistle Hyde Park are both in amazing locations and offer fantastic, family-friendly service and amenities. I really can’t wait to start working in the Thistle team and driving further success in both hotels.”

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For all media enquiries please contact Flora and Ruth in the glh Hotels press office at LAUNCH on 0207 758 3900 or reach the team at glh@hellolaunch.co.uk

London, April 2018: Family favourite, Thistle Hotels, has today unveiled its new freshly prepared food menus focusing on classic plates, grilled meats and fish, salads and a whole section dedicated to smashed avocado dishes.

After listening to extensive guest feedback, the top chefs at Thistle have created three new menus, including a new children’s menu, in-room menu, as well as the main restaurant menu, available at all eight Thistle Hotels.

The new smashed avocado section offers guests five different topping combinations to accompany the freshly prepared smashed avocado on sourdough toast, including poached egg with crushed pistachios, feta, watermelon and pomegranate, Parma ham and roasted figs, as well as cherry tomato and basil pesto or smoked salmon and chive crème fraiche.

These new smashed avocado options, along with the fresh salads section were created to offer lighter dishes, packed full of fresh flavours and perfect for brunch, lunch or a light pre-theatre bite.

Other highlights from the menu are a Super Food Salad, which includes seasonal leaves, sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds, quinoa, Mediterranean vegetables, sundried tomatoes, pomegranate, mint and coriander with a choice of chicken, grilled salmon or tiger prawns and sharing platters such as the Meat Platter which includes chorizo bites, tamarind chicken wings with Parma ham, mortadella, mixed olives and freshly baked focaccia bread.

For those looking for more classic dishes, the menu is packed with tasty treats from steaks, burgers, beer-battered fish and chunky chips, pan-fried sea bass with herb skillet potatoes, steak and ale pie, and Italian pork and beef meatball spaghetti in tomato sauce.

A new range of sandwiches is also available on gluten free bread. As well as small plates including roast mushroom, garlic and Cheddar tartlet or chicken, duck and red onion marmalade terrine served with sourdough toast and red onion chutney.

The new menu also offers set two and three course options from £15.80 and the children’s menu is just £5.50 for two courses and a drink.

The new Thistle Hotels food menus launch on 5th April 2018 at amazing central locations including Thistle Holborn, Thistle Kensington Gardens and Thistle Trafalgar Square.

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For all media enquiries please contact Ashlie or Ruth at Launch on 0207 758 3900 or email glh@hellolaunch.co.uk

November 2017, London: London’s largest hotel owner-operator, glh Hotels, has today announced the appointment of two new senior managers to its central team, as the group continues to build momentum across its portfolio of 17 existing properties and future pipeline projects.

In a first for the group, Joey Goei, has joined glh Hotels as Design Manager, responsible for overseeing all interior design projects within the group, for both existing and new hotels and projects across the group’s portfolio, which includes Guoman, Amba, every, Thistle and Thistle Express brands.

Goei joins from her previous role of Project Manager at Accor Hotels UK & Ireland, having overseen projects at various sites including Novotel London Canary Wharf, MGallery Leicester Square, Ibis Styles Ealing and Mercure Bridgwater.

Paul Phillips, Property Director from glh Hotels, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Joey to the glh Hotels team at this exciting time for the group. As a key member of the team she’ll drive forward our refresh and redesign of existing properties, as well as being instrumental in developing the look and feel of the interiors for our future hotels and projects too.”

Goei will report into glh Hotels Property Director Paul Phillips.

Former General Manager of Thistle City Barbican, Paul Knightley, has been promoted to Group Operations Manager for the Thistle, Thistle Express and every hotels brands, reporting directly into glh Hotels Operations Director, Mike Magrane.

Having worked for the Thistle Hotel brand since 2000, Knightley brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a vital role in the brands’ continued development.

Mike Magrane, Operations Director at glh Hotels, said: “Paul brings 17 years of Thistle Hotels experience and is the perfect choice for this role, as we continue to develop our offering, delivering the very best guest experience across Thistle Hotels, Thistle Express and the every hotels brands.”

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For all media enquiries please contact Robbie or Ashlie in the glh Hotels press office at Launch on 0207 758 3900 or email glh@hellolaunch.co.uk

As part of its mission to reward its guests for booking direct, Thistle hotels is offering free breakfast to those who book online on thistle.com and sign up to its database.

Vowing to be a ‘great place’ to stay, Thistle hotels will be offering a huge selection of breakfast options from both their cold and hot buffets in London, Edinburgh and Poole.

So whether it’s fitness fanatics ready for a run in Hyde Park or fashionistas revamping their winter wardrobes on Oxford Street, Thistle’s free breakfast provides the ultimate fuel to kick start any day ensuring guests get the most out of their stay and central surroundings when they book direct on thistle.com. Packed full of goodness, guests can choose from a delicious menu of freshly squeezed juices, tropical fruits, yoghurts, cereals, cold cheese, meats and more or a classic full English breakfast - which tastes even better when they are free.

*Offer valid from 14^th Sept to 30^th Nov 2015

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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact the Thistle PR team:

thistle@launchpr.co.uk

Laura Cullinane - Laurac@launchpr.co.uk / 020 7758 3929

Hannah Talbot – Hannaht@launchpr.co.uk / 020 7758 3934

Notes to Editors:

Thistle is part of glh - glh refers to GLH Hotels Management (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Limited.  glh is the largest owner-operator hotel company in London with over 5000 rooms and leading with the fastest Wi-Fi in the world.  It currently operates Thistle hotels, Amba Hotels, every hotels and four luxury London hotels: The Grosvenor Hotel, The Royal Horseguards, The Cumberland and The Tower - as well as two hotels in Malaysia and Singapore. www.glhhotels.com