Holiday Inn Express Exeter - City Centre By Ihg

This hotel is highly regarded for its exceptional staff and prime central location, making it a memorable choice for many travelers. Its signature feature is the consistently outstanding service provided by the team, who are frequently praised for their helpfulness and welcoming demeanor. The hotel is an excellent fit for sightseers and tourists due to its easy access to major attractions, while business travelers appreciate the comfortable accommodations and convenient amenities for short stays. Families find the clean rooms and accommodating atmosphere suitable for their needs, and couples enjoy the comfortable setting for a city break. For pet owners, the hotel offers a welcoming environment, though some specific considerations apply. To enhance your stay, guests recommend being mindful of the parking situation and utilizing the complimentary breakfast, perhaps arriving early to avoid peak times.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers essential amenities for a comfortable stay, though some guests noted areas for enhancement. The bar area serves as a pleasant space for guests to relax and enjoy light meals, including pizza and chips. Free Wi-Fi is consistently available and reliable throughout the property, ensuring guests can stay connected. Rooms are equipped with practical items such as an iron, ironing board, and hairdryer, along with tea and coffee making facilities. However, a recurring comment from guests is the absence of a mini-fridge or safe in the rooms, which would significantly enhance convenience, especially for longer visits. While generally well-maintained, some reviews mentioned an elevator being out of order at times, causing minor inconvenience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness is largely positive, with many describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained, though some noted minor issues such as carpet cleanliness, dust on surfaces, or mould in shower sealant. Bed comfort receives mixed reviews; many guests found the beds very comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, while others found them too firm or the pillows uncomfortable, suggesting a need for more variety. Room sizes vary, with some guests finding them spacious and well-designed, especially those with a sofa and table, but family rooms with a sofa bed deployed can feel cramped. Noise levels are typically low due to good soundproofing, contributing to a quiet stay, though occasional disturbances from other guests or a busy road were mentioned. Rooms are equipped with Dove toiletries and tea/coffee facilities, but the inability to open windows can make rooms feel warm, despite air conditioning.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast is a significant highlight for most guests, frequently described as very good to excellent with a plentiful and varied selection. Options typically include a full English spread, cereals, yogurt, pastries, and fresh fruit, with staff diligently keeping items well-stocked and hot. However, some guests found the breakfast to be basic or average, with occasional complaints about overcooked bacon or sausages, or a lack of certain items like fried eggs or hot chocolate. The breakfast area can become very busy and chaotic during peak times, leading to queues for tables or the coffee machine. Beyond breakfast, the hotel offers a limited food menu primarily featuring pizza and chips at the bar area, with many guests opting to dine at nearby restaurants or order in.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient and central location, making it ideal for exploring the city. Guests appreciate its easy walking distance to the city center, shops, restaurants, the quay, and the cathedral. It is also well-situated for public transport, including proximity to train stations. While the walk to the city center is generally short, some guests noted it involves an uphill climb. Parking is available on-site, which is a significant advantage in the area, but it is a frequent point of contention due to its high cost and being operated by a third-party company. Guests often express frustration over the expensive daily fees and occasional confusion regarding payment systems, with some reporting unexpected fines. Despite the parking concerns, the hotel's accessibility to key attractions remains a strong positive.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive outstanding praise, being described as exceptionally friendly, helpful, and attentive. Guests frequently highlight their professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, often noting that "nothing is too much trouble." The check-in and check-out processes are generally reported as quick and easy, contributing to a hassle-free experience, though a few instances of initial slowness or confusion were mentioned. Specific examples of excellent service include staff assisting with parking queries, providing coffee even after the machine was cleaned, and handling unusual situations with calm efficiency. While the hotel is advertised as pet-friendly, some guests found the actual service for pets, particularly regarding access to dining areas, to be less accommodating than expected. Overall, the dedication of the team is a recurring theme, significantly enhancing the guest experience.

Additional Information
The pet policy is a notable feature, allowing dogs to stay for an extra charge, though some guests found the implementation restrictive, particularly concerning pets in the breakfast area. Guests appreciate the option of take-out bags for breakfast, a convenient touch for those on the go. Some reviews mentioned that housekeeping does not always change towels daily or empty bins for multi-night stays, which can be an inconvenience. While generally quiet, there was an isolated incident of a false fire alarm during the night. Some guests also noted a lack of drawers or sufficient storage space in rooms, which could be challenging for longer visits. The hotel's approach to phone charging with USB cables in rooms is also appreciated.