Luxe rooms in a restored Georgian townhouse with chic bar and fine dining. Walk minutes to Exeter Cathedral and Barnfield Theatre. LGBTQ+ friendly stay.
Stylish boutique hotel offering luxe rooms in a Georgian townhouse, with commendable service and a well-regarded restaurant, ideally situated near Exeter’s key attractions.
GoHotelly doesn't process bookings — we open this property on each partner so you can compare live rates, cancellation rules and loyalty perks side by side.
Some links are affiliate — if you book, GoHotelly may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure.
Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Set within a restored Georgian townhouse on Southernhay East, this hotel offers a blend of historic charm and contemporary comfort. Luxe rooms provide a quiet retreat, many with well-regarded bedding and thoughtful amenities noted by guests. The building’s style is complemented by a chic cocktail bar and a fine dining restaurant on site, where breakfast and dinner receive positive mentions for quality and service.
Visitors appreciate the hotel’s convenient location, just a short walk from Exeter Cathedral, Barnfield Theatre, and Exeter Central train station. Nearby airports include Exeter Airport within 20 minutes by car, providing accessible travel options. The immediate neighbourhood offers a variety of cultural and family-friendly activities such as the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Crealy Theme Park.
Guest feedback generally highlights attentive and friendly staff alongside well-prepared meals. Some reviewers point out minor drawbacks like limited wardrobe space in certain rooms, particularly for longer stays, but these are balanced by positive experiences of comfort and hospitality. The hotel welcomes a diverse crowd and is noted as LGBTQ+ friendly.
Southernhay House Hotel suits visitors seeking a stylish, central base with a focus on relaxed dining and a quiet atmosphere. It compares closely with other nearby accommodations that balance accessibility with character, appealing to those exploring Exeter’s historic centre or attending local events.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
Honestly, there are not enough words to express how delighted I am with my experience at SouthernHay House Hotel. I stayed the evening before my wedding with my Maid of Honour and then my wedding night with my husband and it was absolute perfection throughout. Every single member of staff we met during the 3 days was warm and welcoming and really joined us in the celebratory spirit of it all. Breakfast was absolutely exceptional, the room superb, honestly I could be here for hours and never finish singing the praises of this hotel. What a special memory for us all, I will never forget it!
Cute. Very friendly staff. Came in late, they had a plate of cheese arranged given how late it was and everything was closed. Nice touch. I’d go back!
My husband and I stay for three nights and would definitely stay again. We stayed in the Silk room which was very nice, bed was comfy, sheets and linen good quality. As Jeff H commented no wardrobe which was inconvenient as we had a lot of clothes/coats. The room was lovely and warm and we loved the fact that we could open the windows. We had breakfast, which was served, which is unusual these days, it was hot, very tasty and good menu, best we have had in a hotel in a very long time. Staff, without exception, were polite, professional, friendly and very helpful. Great stay :)
Excellent boutique hotel in a fine period building in a great location, quiet but close to the centre of town. We stayed in the Silk Room for a total of 7 nights and really enjoyed our stay. The service was great, and the staff very friendly and accommodating to our needs and requests. The breakfast menu was extensive, and the food well-prepared and portions very generous. Did not have dinner there, but did have cocktails at the cosy and well-stocked bar. One small complaint was the lack of a wardrobe in the room. Not an issue for stays of 1 or 2 nights, but for 7 nights it would have been appreciated. Overall a great experience which added to our enjoyment of our stay in Exeter and the surrounding area of Devon
This place is a gem! We only stayed one night but I wish we had been able to stay longer. The rooms were great and the people very friendly and helpful, but the thing i liked the most was the attention to detail - the air cooler already on in our room before we arrived, the high quality toiletries, the luxurious bedding and pillows... and the breakfast was outstanding! It's a 5 min walk to the cathedral and all the restaurants and parking was easy. Thank you for a top notch stay, and it's the only place I will go to if we're back in Exeter again.
Booked here for a dog-friendly breakfast. Really great food & even better service. Had the full English & salmon & scrambled eggs. The breakfast starter of building your own yoghurt with granola, compote etc was super nice too. We sat inside as it was a little chilly but there was a very cute outside area for dining which would be lovely too. Would recommend.
2 delightful nights at the Southernhay House Hotel. Lily at reception was all around exceptional! Very helpful. Breakfast & dinner was excellent.
We popped in for a drink as we had passed it many times on our way home. We have not stayed in the rooms but from the pictures they look nice. The staff were warm, welcoming and happy to answer any questions we had, nothing was to much trouble. The atmosphere was lovely. Lovely garden to look at and it felt quiet and peaceful. Food menus change every month. Will definitely go back.
This stylish hotel in a restored Georgian townhouse is a 2-minute walk from the Barnfield Theatre, 4 minutes' walk from Exeter Cathedral and an 8-minute walk from Exeter Central train station.
Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Exeter. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.
5,774 reviews 1 The Cloisters, Exeter EX1 1HS, United Kingdom
2,629 reviews Royal Albert memorial Museum Art & Gallery, Queen St, Exeter EX4 3RX, United Kingdom
7,117 reviews Sidmouth Rd, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DR, United Kingdom
Hand-picked alternatives with a comparable feel, size and price band.
Stay at Hilton London Canary Wharf, a 4.4⭐ hotel featuring modern rooms, a restaurant, bar, gym, and business center in the vibran...
Experience luxury at Babington House, an upmarket 18thcentury manor in Frome. Enjoy fine dining, spa, pools, free WiFi, and easy...
Enjoy modern countrystyle rooms with free WiFi and an Italian restaurant at Chester House Hotel, just minutes from The Model Vil...
Basic rooms with shared bathrooms, free parking, and WiFi. Familyrun hotel opposite Kenton tube, 2.7 miles from Wembley Stadium....
Casual hotel in London W2 offering streamlined rooms with handmade beds, free WiFi, LGBTQ+ friendly, near Paddington Station and ...
Stay at Zedwell Greenwich in London SE8 with free WiFi, airconditioning, and easy access to Tower Bridge and National Maritime M...
Stay at Travelodge Stoney Cross Lyndhurst with free WiFi, parking, and petfriendly rooms. Conveniently located near New Forest N...
Stay at Holiday Inn York City Centre by IHG with simple rooms, free WiFi, and a lobby bar. Close to York Minster and Shambles in ...
Enjoy free breakfast and WiFi at Sygun Fawr Hotel, a cosy 1644 stone house in Beddgelert, near Snowdonia National Park and scenic...
4.4rated hotel with straightforward rooms, restaurant, free WiFi, and LGBTQ+ friendly. Located near Richmond Castle and Easby Ab...
Short, honest notes are more useful than long ones. A few sentences about what worked, what surprised you, and who the hotel is best for will go a long way.
