Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel

Hotels
•
Mercure
8 (5369 reviews)
Southernhay East , Exeter , gb

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Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Central location
Comfortable room
Good food
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Poor room amenities
Value for money concerns

Categories

Cleanliness
7.46
The shower door in my room was pretty disgusting and really needed a good clean.
Service
8.93
Staff were very friendly and helpful, with good service at check-in.
Location
8.97
Great location, very central, perfect for the Christmas market and shopping centre.
Room Quality
7.42
Uncomfortable main bed in family room and issues with the air conditioning.
Amenities
7.95
Standard amenities including spa pool and various food options available.
Value for Money
7.41
Paid for half board stay, but menu was limited and not as expected.
Food and Beverage
7.96
Lovely food and good bar menu, but some food items were served cold.
Overall Experience
7.93
An overall satisfactory stay despite some issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 07:45

Property Description

Central Location with Stunning Views
Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel offers a prime location in central Exeter with picturesque views of the historic old cathedral.

Luxurious Health and Fitness Facilities
Enjoy the hotel's health and fitness centre featuring an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, and whirlpool spa for ultimate relaxation.

Dining Excellence and Relaxation
Indulge in elegant dining at The Gate House Restaurant, sip on drinks at the Terrace lounge bar with a secluded patio, and savor traditional Devonshire afternoon tea.

Experience the best of Exeter with a stay at Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel.

Important information:

Minors under 18 must be accompanied by parents or legal representatives. Third person named by parents must present their written authorization (certified signature).

Please note that the credit card used to book must be presented on arrival.

Please inform the property if any of the guests are children, so the rooms can be set accordingly.

Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel is located in central Exeter, with views over the historic old cathedral.

Enjoy yourself at the Spa Naturel with complimentary use of the fitness suite during your stay. You are able to access the indoor heated swimming pool for only 10GBP per person, this price includes up to 2 children under the age of 16. There is also a sauna and a whirlpool (age restrictions apply.)

Each of the hotel’s rooms features Freeview TV and facilities for making tea and coffee. There are also a number of interconnecting rooms available.

The Terrace lounge bar has a secluded patio, while The Gate House Restaurant offers elegant dining. Traditional Devonshire afternoon tea is also served.

It is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel to the shops and restaurants of the city center. Busses are available along the High Street, and Exeter Central Rail Station is 10 minutes’ walk away. Parking is available on site and charged at £16 per 24-hour period.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: BHX

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 11 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible) and costs GBP 15 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 5369 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.46
Service: 8.93
Location: 8.97
Room Quality: 7.42
Amenities: 7.95
Value for Money: 7.41
Food and Beverage: 7.96
Overall Experience: 7.93
F
Francesca • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
S
Shane • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-06-05 • via Nuitee
R
Rose • couple • gb
10
Excellent hotel in a perfect location to explore the centre of Exeter
Pros:

We loved the quiet and relaxed elegance of the hotel. The staff were exceptionally friendly and professional. They obviously enjoy working at the hotel! The food was excellent. Had a swim in the indoor pool. Loved it. Definitely going back!

2026-06-05 • via Nuitee
M
Mike • couple • gb
7
Another happy and comfortable stay at Mercure Exeter Southgate - thank you and fully recommend!
Pros:

Breakfast was excellent. Despite the AC not working, the bedroom was not too warm, and the fan certainly helped. The staff were very accommodating and cheerful, and the rest of the hotel was not hot. The fact that we were not charged for parking and were offered a drink on arrival certainly went a long way to mitigate the lack of adequate ventilation in our room. However, had our visit coincided with the warmer temperatures earlier in the week, I do not think we could have coped so well.

Cons:

The family room 175 was tight - we chose it for the settee. However, it was too static and clearly intended for use only as a bed. Deconstructing it required a member of staff to do the magic. This room did not seem as spacious as the room we stayed in on a previous visit, although the toilet and shower area were significantly better. The huge bed was very, very comfortable indeed - full marks for that!

2026-06-05 • via Nuitee
P
Pioneer47878363352 • Business • Stroud, Stroud District, Cotswolds, England
4
Could be fantastic but sadly falls short of expectations.
Pros:

This place should deliver and has so much potential but is let down by poor maintenance and a long overdue make over.
I end up here often for business and keep thinking it must improve but there’s always issues.
Yet again no Air Conditioning, issues with the jacuzzi and while the rooms themselves are serviceable, for the prices charged it is becoming somewhere now I look to avoid which is a shame because I do like the pool and the location.
A display in reception tonight promised some
cosmetic enhancements coming up for the rooms but if the basic maintenance issues cannot be sorted then this won’t help.
Additionally the car park now at £16 a night is becoming a joke.
The staff always seem to be trying their best but the constant apologies don’t make up for a good nights sleep unfortunately.

2026-06-03 • via Tripadvisor
M
Mika • solo_traveller • gb
3
Terrible
Pros:

We liked the location and bar area .

Cons:

Very expensive for extremely facilities. The rooms are very runned down. Paint chipping off, holes in walls , head board all scraped and chipped and dusty. The air-conditioning wasn't working when we got the on a hot weekend, the fan wasn't working in the toilet and we had no tv remote which we ask for twice . The cleaning stuff let them self's in before check out time and I stood there naked !

2026-06-03 • via Nuitee
R
Ridsdill • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
H
Hadley • couple • gb
8
2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
P
Philippa • couple • gb
5
Ok but difficult to sleep room very hot
Pros:

Very central

Cons:

Air conditioning broken was very hot

2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • gb
8
another lovely stay in Exeter
Pros:

lovely breakfast

2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
A
Alison • couple • gb
10
Just what we wanted
Pros:

Convenient location and room has everything we needed. Staff helpful and polite

Cons:

Parking was a little tricky because the car park was very busy

2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
C
Catherine_sca • Family
8
Don’t let the bad reviews put you off
Pros:

We were a bit apprehensive after ready the reviews .. but we had nothing to worry about
All the staff are lovely and extremely helpful.
Yes the air conditioning is broken - but there are fans in the room and the staff are trying very hard to make up for it
Breakfast was lovely and loads of choice
We used the pool and the £10 fee no longer applies
Our only down point was the sofa bed - you have to request for it to be made up, luckily our son is only 4 as anyone over that would be through to the springs!

2026-06-01 • via Tripadvisor
N
Nicola • extended_group • gb
7
All in all good value
Pros:

Clean. Helpful staff. Gave us free drinks as Hen night.

Cons:

Paying to park.

2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
E
Eades • family_with_children • gb
6
Great location and breakfast. Facilities need improvement.
Pros:

Perfect location for shops, Quay and cathedral.
Amazing breakfast.
Lovely room, nice shower.

Cons:

Broken air conditioning really affected our stay during the heatwave, very uncomfortable for my 80 year old mum.
Terrible view onto a dirty rooftop.
On day one the jacuzzi was out of order and on day 2 the swimming pool was also out of order.

2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
C
Cheryl • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
C
Claire • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
J
Jeanette • couple • gb
10
Excellent will book again, very close to centre too, & free parking :)
Pros:

Beautiful hotel very clean & even got an upgrade on check in!

Cons:

Nothing

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • family_with_children • gb
9
Pros:

Lovely room recently re-decorated. Quiet and cool in the heat

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
A
Amber • solo_traveller • gb
7
Good hotel and location
Pros:

Location and reception staff nice ,generally clean and nicely maintained

Cons:

Unfortunately it had air con problems so our room was uncomfortably hot,we usually stay here as it’s a good location

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
J
John • family_with_children • gb
3
a place to sleep on uncomfortable beds no air conditioning and poor quality food
Pros:

nothing special its a neduicre hotel

Cons:

the bathromm was poorly designed and frankly danerous

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee