Hotel du Vin Exeter

Hotel du Vin Exeter: A Comprehensive Review

Hotel du Vin Exeter, housed in a beautifully renovated former Edwardian eye infirmary, offers a stylish and tranquil retreat in the heart of Exeter. Recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property, it aims to provide a luxurious experience blending traditional charm with modern comforts.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel du Vin Exeter is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests highly recommending it. Review scores on platforms like Booking.com often show a "Very good" rating, with high marks for location, cleanliness, comfort, and staff. Guests frequently describe their stays as "lovely," "excellent," and a "retreat."

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Hotel du Vin Exeter:

• Beautiful Renovation & Design: The transformation of the historic building into a stylish hotel is a significant highlight, blending traditional architecture with contemporary decor. The lobby, with its sparkling terrazzo floor, modern art, and glass walkway, is noted for its elegance and airy feel.
• Location: Its central location is frequently cited as excellent, providing easy access to Exeter Cathedral, shops, and bars.
• Pool & Spa: The gorgeous pool and spa, located within a secluded walled garden, are a major draw, offering a sense of relaxation and retreat. The heated indoor-outdoor pool is particularly enjoyed.
• Hospitality & Welcome: Many guests appreciate the warm welcome and pleasant, helpful staff, with some individuals receiving specific commendations for exceptional service.
• Dining: The Bistro du Vin restaurant is often highlighted for its excellent food and atmosphere.

3. Room Quality

The hotel boasts 59 en-suite rooms and suites, each with a unique design, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Guests describe the rooms as quiet, comfortable, spotless, and well-appointed. Key features include:

• Very comfortable beds and premium bedding with Egyptian cotton sheets.
• Stylish and unique decor, with period details mixed with contemporary wallpapers and modernist furnishings.
• Thoughtful extras like fluffy robes and lovely toiletries in modern bathrooms, which often feature rain showers (some with separate baths).
• Amenities such as flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, irons, free WiFi, and in some rooms, Nespresso coffee machines and well-stocked mini-bars.
• The "Beekeeper's Cottage" suite, located in the garden, offers a spacious, bee-themed family suite with a super-king bed and a separate sofa area.

Some guests have mentioned slightly dated bathrooms and smaller towels in certain rooms. Air conditioning and the inability to open windows, leading to rooms being too warm, have also been noted.

4. Dining Experience

The Bistro du Vin offers a French-inspired menu with a modern British twist, served in an elegant yet informal setting.

• Restaurant Atmosphere: The bistro is described as having a great atmosphere, with luxurious decor, a "Big Top tent-type ceiling," and a view of the garden.
• Cuisine: Dishes rely on fresh, seasonal produce and are prepared beautifully. Examples of highly-rated dishes include French onion soup, monkfish in curry broth, beef bourguignon, and perfectly cooked fillet steak. Adventurous options like frog legs have also been noted.
• Wine List: As the name suggests, the hotel offers an extensive and cosmopolitan wine list.
• Breakfast: Breakfast is a conventional self-serve affair with fresh French pastries, granola, yogurt, porridge, and juices, alongside waitress-ordered full English breakfasts and various egg dishes.
• Service: Attentive and knowledgeable waiting staff and sommeliers are on hand to explain dishes and recommend wines.

While generally positive, some older reviews have reported mixed opinions on food quality, with a few instances of lukewarm starters or smaller portions.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service is largely positive, highlighting friendly, professional, and helpful staff who provide a good welcome and often go the extra mile. However, there are some inconsistencies reported:

• Some guests have encountered staff who they perceive as "a bit stuck up" or receptionists who lack basic customer service, such as acknowledging guests while on the phone.
• Employee reviews, while not direct guest experiences, suggest potential underlying issues with management, high staff turnover, long working hours, skipped breaks, and insufficient training, which could indirectly impact guest service consistency. There have been reports of staff being expected to handle multiple roles and recurring guest complaints.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel du Vin Exeter is centrally located on Magdalen Street, making it an excellent base for exploring the city.

• Attractions: It's just a short stroll from Exeter Cathedral, shops, and other city attractions.
• Transport: The hotel is in the city center and business district.
• Accessibility: The hotel offers ground-floor bedrooms, and the bar, bistro, spa, and some suites are on ground level. Lifts provide access to all floors. Wheelchair accessibility for the lounge, path to elevator, registration desk, and restaurant is also noted.
• Parking: On-site parking is available but is a common point of contention due to its high cost (around £15-£20 per night) and limited spaces.

7. Value & Pricing

Hotel du Vin Exeter is generally considered to offer good value for its high quality of food and staff. It is positioned towards the upper end of the spectrum in terms of expectations and price.

• Price Range: Rooms can start from approximately £139 for a classic room. A dinner, bed, and breakfast package for two in a suite like the Beekeeper's Cottage can cost around £412, while other packages with Champagne, dinner, bed, and breakfast may start from £177.
• Worth the Cost? Many guests feel the quality of the experience justifies the price, considering it a treat or suitable for special occasions. However, the parking charge is frequently seen as expensive, especially given the room rates.

8. Common Complaints

While generally well-received, a few recurring issues and criticisms emerge from guest reviews:

• Parking Costs: The cost of on-site parking is a frequent complaint.
• Room Temperature & Ventilation: Issues with air conditioning and the inability to open windows, leading to rooms being too warm, have been mentioned.
• Dated Bathrooms & Small Towels: Some guests have noted that certain bathrooms appear slightly dated and that towels can be small.
• Service Inconsistencies: Although staff are generally praised, a few reviews point to occasional inconsistencies in service, particularly at reception.
• Limited Vegetarian/Vegan Options: One review highlighted a limited choice for vegetarian and vegan diners.
• Steak Quality vs. Price: A past review noted that while steak was good, its quality didn't always match its higher price point compared to other establishments.
• Employee Feedback: (While not directly guest complaints, employee reviews indicate potential underlying issues that could affect guest experience): Concerns include high staff turnover, long hours, missed breaks, insufficient training, and a perceived lack of support from management. These issues could contribute to inconsistencies in service quality.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. ratedtrips.com
3. michelin.com
4. hotelduvin.com
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