Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel 4 stars

Room and facilities were as expected but the hot breakfasts were disappointing even with Covid 19 precautions

As this was our first visit to the Mercure Exeter Southgate this year, we were very pleased that the measures that were in place throughout the hotel for everyone's safety were excellent, and would not hesitate to come again.

This was my second stay at this hotel as the 1st one had been so good. I was semt a welcome e ail that contained totally incorrect, out of date information and the Receptionist explained all the current information to me on check in regarding bar opening times, breakfast times etc and suggested I use the QR codes for all the guides. I did this, which worked well for ordering room service. My room, by the way, was grubby. There dirty marks all over the TV and bedside table and the bathroom was dusty too, but the back of the door was filthy! I chose not to hang my towel there and I started to wonder how thorough the cleaning was of all the other surfaces and high contact areas. I could not find a checkout time anywhere , so I guessed it was around 10 and left then. I had booked on booking.com and my genius rate included breakfast. I dropped my key off only to be told that breakfast ends at 10 even though all the info on the QR guides and the welcome e ails said 11 a.m.!!! ' That's only weekends' said the receptionists wrinkling her nose up , but did not offer me an alternative. It was 10 a.m. on the dot, if I had missed breakfast due to the confusion of so much misinformation, she could at least have offered me the choice to grab a cup of coffee and a croissant seeing as I had paid for breakfast! No apology, no have a nice day! Pretty poor show all in all. Although this was my second stay, it will be my last and I will be leaving a similar review on booking.com too!

Rather than the warm welcome we have received before at this hotel, the reception was brusque and disinterested. I had asked for room on the top floor but got one on the ground floor next to the carpark. On my first night I realised a dog must have been in the room. As an asthmatic this kept me awake all night. When I questioned the receptionist to see if we could move she just shrugged her shoulders and said all rooms were dog friendly. I asked if the room could be hoovered again. Her response was to turn her back and walk back into the office. At breakfast after waiting for some time to be asked if we wanted any cooked items, I politely requested some from the waitress. She snappily asked why I wanted bacon. It was obvious I was there to have breakfast. I have stayed four times previously at this hotel and I must say this stay was so disappointing I am doubtful I will ever return - rude staff, unresponsive when you have an issue - not what you expect when you should be encouraging people to return to your establishment.

A long way below expectations of a major hotel group

We had a very poor experience at the Mercure Southgate hotel. It started at check-in, when the gentleman on the desk was generally unfriendly, wearing his mask below his nose (what is the point?) and failed to recognise my silver member benefits (again, what's the point?). We had to ask about arrangements for breakfast - we didn't bother eventually as is didn't sound appealing. The hotel itself is tired and badly in need or a refurb; we stayed in a privilege room but it really looked like it hadn't had a lick of paint in 10 years, the woodwork in the bathroom had significant water damage, and the bed was lumpy and uncomfortable. We also discovered a long black hair in the bed which was definitely not one of ours! Overall, a poor experience that we don't want to repeat and I suspect we'll stay at the Jury's Inn or somewhere in future when we visit family in Exeter.

It was a good stay, as always- I have been to the hotel many times and so know what to expect. We booked for some relaxation in the pool and jacuzzi in the afternoon of our arrival, but were informed the spa was closed on our arrival. No offer of compensation was made and no real apology. This was very disappointing and may have affected our decision of whether we stayed or not, had we been informed prior to our arrival. We had a flexible rate and so could have cancelled.

Good comfortable hotel in a central position. We have visited this hotel on a number of occasions in recent years and regard it as one of the better Mercure hotels we have stayed at. The hotel had excellent Covid related precautions in place and staff seemed very clear about what was necessary to protect guests. The only grumble is the price of parking in the car park. £15 on top of what you pay for room, etc is pretty extortionate - don't go for the argument that this is the going rate for the City.

Stayed with you before . Great hotel . Pity the bar didn’t open until 6pm

My partner and I are stayed here for a week for leisure, and we loved it there! We felt like we were part of a family.

Overall clean and comfortable. Service for the evening meal was slow. Quite a time before our order was taken with a wait of over half an hour before the food appeared. Disappointed that certain facilities were not available on the evening we arrived. Arrangements for breakfast worked well.

Generally good , though corridors were full of dishes glasses out side of rooms that stayed there for nearly all the weekend we were there . In our room the bath room had a curly hair on the toilet and a hair on bath which did make us question the cleaning . A few of the other guests were walking around without face masks and staff didn't question .

Given the difficulties you have had to negotiate with Covid you did really well in giving the guests a fairly normal stay, thanks.

First room was not to standard but staff very helpful with changing to another room which was good. Only down turn was the parking charges of £15.00 per day, which should not be applicable if staying at the Hotel. I have stayed in many hotels were parking is free even stayed in a Castle resort in the North were this did not apply.

We have stayed in the hotel many times before and always find it a peaceful and relaxing place. Pleasant rooms, friendly staff. We were disappointmed with the evening meal menu though on our stay last year (fish and chips, burgers and pizza) and again this recent stay. However, we will probably stay with you again.