Thistle Express London Luton Interior photo

Thistle Express London Luton Other photo

Key details

About the Hotel

The Mall, Library Road, Luton (Bedfordshire), LU1 2TR

Close to the town centre

Very good

7.8

7.5

/10

3.0

3.7

"Hotel is situated about 5 mins walk from the bus/train station and is also in the middle of town."

John from Ireland

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"Perfect location clean rooms with free wifi and all with windows."

Valeri

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"All types of tea and coffee free at reception all day."

deirdresherwin1 from Ireland

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3-star convenience near Luton Airport

Location

Thistle Express London Luton is positioned just 10 minutes from Luton Airport and three minutes from Luton Station. This advantageous location allows for simple access to the town centre and major attractions like Whipsnade Zoo and the University of Bedfordshire. With limited on-site parking available for £10 per night, guests can enjoy stress-free travel to and from their destinations.

Rooms

The hotel offers a variety of room types to cater to different guest needs. The Express Single Room boasts a Hypnos mattress and essentials like a Smart TV, accommodating solo travellers. Families can opt for the Express Family Room, which includes a double bed and sofa bed, comfortably fitting three guests.

Dining

A complimentary continental breakfast is provided to all guests, ensuring a bright start to the day. The hotel also offers unlimited tea and coffee in the lounge area, available at all hours of the day. For late night cravings, guests can order a variety of pizzas for takeaway.

Business Facilities

Thistle Express London Luton caters to business travellers with quick response times for group bookings. The hotel's close proximity to Luton Airport and Luton Station makes it convenient for meetings or short trips. Corporate guests can benefit from exclusive rates designed for organizational needs.

Family-Friendly Amenities

The Express Family Room at Thistle Express accommodates families by providing spacious sleeping arrangements with a double bed and a sofa bed. Amenities such as a Smart TV and fast Wi-Fi keep all ages entertained during the stay. Breakfast and lounge refreshments cater to the needs of family outings.

Highlights

Location: Just 10 minutes from Luton Airport

Rooms: Express Single Room with Hypnos mattress

Dining: Complimentary continental breakfast

Business: Quick response for group bookings

Location: Great

8.2/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningBreakfast Included!

The free breakfast offered a tasty full English, pastries, fruit, and yogurt. They even offer takeaway rolls for early departures.

Emily Carter from United Kingdom

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Guest ParkingEasy Parking

Parking was easy! It's located beside one parking garage and two large malls, so shopping is also easy.

Kenji Tanaka from Japan

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BedroomComfy Beds!

The beds were comfortable, and the rooms were clean. A warm, comfortable room is all I needed!

Hans Schmidt from Germany

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Room FeaturesUnexpected Extras

The room had a hairdryer, iron, ironing board, and minisafe. Anti-theft hangers are also available.

Isabelle Dubois from France

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Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals

Single Room
2 persons
120 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Double Room
2 persons
120 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Twin Room
2 persons
120 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Bathtub
Heating
room details

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Room rates & availability calendar

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Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking

Facilities: Very good

7.9/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
Security
Luggage storage
Lift
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Golf course

Services

Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Bar/ Lounge area

Children

Cots

Room features

Heating
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Thistle Express London Luton Location

The Mall, Library Road, Luton (Bedfordshire), LU1 2TR

Map view

City landmarks

Museum

Stockwood Discovery Centre

1.4 mi

Mall

The Mall Luton

2200 ft

Museum

Wardown House

1.3 mi

Landmark

High Town

2500 ft

Casino

Grosvenor Casino Luton

2600 ft

Park

Wardown Park

1.3 mi

Landmark

Luton Hoo Memorial Park

1.2 mi

Castle

Someries Castle

1.8 mi

Landmark

Stockwood Park

1.6 mi

Gym

Venue 360

1.3 mi

Church

Saint Thomas church

1.5 mi

Mall

Asda Luton Superstore

1.9 mi

Farm

Woodside Animal Farm

2.5 mi

Farm

Luton Hoo Estate

2.5 mi

Casino

Genting Casino

3.0 mi

Landmark

The Chiltern Gateway Centre

4.3 mi

Nearby

Church

St Mary's Church

1600 ft

Luton Borough Council Town Hall

Luton Town Hall

1800 ft

St George Street Luton Town Hall

Luton War Memorial

2000 ft

Park St

Vauxhall Heritage Centre

1500 ft

Restaurants

Luton Kebab House

100 ft

51 Guildford St

The Engine

500 ft

The Engine 43 Bute Street

The White House

1200 ft

The Galaxy 1 Bridge Street Galaxy Centre

German Doner Kebab

1700 ft

57-59 George Street

Subway

1900 ft

37 George Street

Tasty Fried Chicken

1400 ft

21 Manchester Street

Thai Bites

1400 ft

Luton Market

Pepes piri piri Luton

1900 ft

6-8 Chapel Street

Off the Wall

2300 ft

6-8 Park Street

The Red Lion Luton Pub

2100 ft

Castle Street

Explore Luton (Bedfordshire)

Discover Luton

The Mall Luton

8 minutes' walk

Shopping hub featuring a variety of retail stores, eateries, and regular events, making it perfect for everyone.

Wardown House

25 minutes' walk

Victorian museum with art collections and beautiful gardens, offers seasonal events and free admission on select days.

Stockwood Discovery Centre

25 minutes' walk

Interactive exhibits on local history and nature, plus gardens and a gallery. Ideal for families seeking educational fun.

St Mary's Church

6 minutes' walk

Historic church known for its stained glass and architecture, offering a peaceful atmosphere for reflection.

Wardown Park

20 minutes' walk

Perfect for relaxation or picnics, featuring lovely gardens, walking trails, and a serene lake to unwind.

Grosvenor Casino Luton

10 minutes' walk

Casino offering gaming, dining, and live entertainment options, great for thrill-seekers looking for a fun night out.

Luton Kebab House

1 minute' walk

Casual eatery famous for its flavorful kebabs and friendly atmosphere, ideal for a quick bite.

The White House

5 minutes' walk

Charming pub serving British cuisine with rotating seasonal menus and daily specials; reservations recommended.

German Doner Kebab

6 minutes' walk

Modern take on traditional kebabs, offering fresh ingredients and unique flavors in a laid-back setting.

Venue 360

25 minutes' walk

Multi-purpose venue hosting live music, events, and sports; a great spot for all-ages entertainment options.

Grosvenor Casino Luton

10 minutes' walk

Entertainment complex featuring a bar and restaurant plus gaming; popular for vibrant nightlife and themed events.

Getting around town

City Centre
Luton (Bedfordshire) 4 min · 1000 ft
Airports
London Luton (LTN) 6 min · 2.2 mi
London Heathrow (LHR) 87 min · 35.7 mi
Train
Luton Train Station 4 min · 1000 ft
Luton Airport Parkway Railway Station 20 min · 1.0 mi
Bus
Bus stop 2 min · 400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

The hotel offers a full breakfast at the price of GBP 7.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Year renovated:

2008

Number of floors:

Number of rooms:

152

Former name

Menzies Strathmore Luton

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay

Review score

Based on 5 verified reviews

8.4 /10

Great

100%

Recommend

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Comfort

8.1/10

Facilities

7.9/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.4/10

Location

8.2/10

Staff

8.6/10

Value for money

8.2/10

based on 150 reviews

4/5

Benjamin from Germany

Business traveller

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 07, 2026

9/10

GREAT Stay Near EVERYTHING!!!

fast check-in central location buffet breakfast efficient service

Check-in was super fast and efficient. The location is fantastic because it is right by the shopping centre. A train and bus station are also VERY close. Breakfast offered a LOVELY buffet.

I noticed a very slight issue with the shower pressure in my room, it could have been a bit stronger.

Rooms

9/10

The room included useful amenities like a television and a kettle. The space was generally clean and tidy. It offered enough space to relax after a long day, I appreciated that.

0 Helpful

Lucy from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

1 night in November 2025

Reviewed: January 25, 2026

9.0/10

reliable stay

free beverages secure room necessary amenities

the staff booked a taxi for me quickly. rooms include free hot beverages available all day. the room felt secure. it contained all necessary amenities.

the window opened only a little. i wished it could open wider.

Service

9/10

the staff was cute. quick check-in occurred with no delays. the team seemed efficient.

Location

8/10

the hotel is close to a large shopping center. access to transportation options is available nearby. it is easy to reach the train station from the hotel. multiple restaurants were nearby offering options for dining.

Facilities

10/10

the hotel offers complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day. a microwave is available in the dining area. breakfast bags were provided for early departures. a large free view television was in my super clean room.

0 Helpful

Harper from United Kingdom

Family with children

Twin Room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: December 22, 2025

6/10

adequate but with issues

smoke smell unsafe walkway

the location was convenient enough for my needs.

My room reeked of stale smoke despite the hotel being non-smoking. I needed to buy air freshener. the window barely opened, and it was very hot. the walkway to the hotel felt unsafe at night. I was not asked for feedback when checking out.

0 Helpful

Oscar from Sweden

Couple

double room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 18, 2025

9.2/10

a cosy nest for a blissful night

clean room breakfast buffet helpful staff

the room was very clean with accessories. the breakfast buffet was accessible and timed well. staff helped us in many ways. i found the location quite quiet despite being central.

i found the entrance hard to spot and google maps gave me confusing directions. finding the entrance was stressful because i arrived late, i felt unsafe in the area surrounding the building. the shower drained slowly, so it needs unblocking.

Facilities

9/10

the hotel provided a breakfast buffet with a good schedule period. the hotel also has many shops nearby and is easily accessible!!! the endless coffee and tea were so comforting.

Service

10/10

staff members were friendly and offered help in many forms. they were super cordial. the female receptionist was fine, and all staff answered questions well when i asked.

Location

8/10

the location offers proximity to the train station, restaurants, and shops. the hotel is within the city. the hotel is a short walk from the station, convenient for the airport.

Rooms

9/10

the room provided all the needed accessories. the bed was very comfortable. the room was very quiet and clean. the room was a good size and was like a home.

Dining

10/10

the breakfast choice was excellent!!! the self-service option meant i could eat the right amount. i love the endless supply of coffee and tea. it was a great start to the day.

0 Helpful

Jordan from United States

Couple

family room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: October 29, 2025

9/10

convenient coffee free breakfast cooked selection

The hotel offered a microwave in the coffee bar area for heating food. there were seats for eating. free coffee was available 24/7 in that area, which i found convenient. i also appreciated the free breakfast. It featured a full cooked selection with pastries, fruit, yogurt, and juices.

the hotel didn't provide water in the room, and i had to go to reception to fill my bottle.

0 Helpful

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