Mercure Exeter Southgate: Your Luxurious Exeter Escape Awaits!
Mercure Exeter Southgate: My Surprisingly Slinky Exeter Adventure (and Confessions of a Total Spa Snob)
Okay, folks, let's get real. Finding a genuinely good hotel isn't just about a comfy bed anymore. It's about the whole experience – the vibe, the little touches, the feeling that you're actually, you know, indulging yourself. So, I recently took the plunge and booked myself into the Mercure Exeter Southgate, lured by the promise of a "Luxurious Exeter Escape." And, well, let's just say it was… an adventure.
First off, let's address the elephant in the room: Accessibility. This is CRUCIAL, and the Mercure seems to take it seriously. While I don't personally use mobility aids, I did scope things out. They've got wheelchair access throughout, and the website mentions facilities for disabled guests. Bonus points for having elevators – because who wants to tackle stairs after a day exploring Exeter? (More on exploring later… it's a must, even if you're not a history buff.) The fact that they include this level of detail is a good start, and I appreciate them listing it.
Now, let's delve into the heart of the matter: Relaxation and Razzle-Dazzle. This is where things got interesting for me – and by "interesting," I mean I transformed into a full-blown spa critic (apparently).
The Spa – My Moment of Truth (and a Few Tears)
Okay, confession time: I'm a spa snob. I've been to spas that cost more than my car, and I've had massages that made me feel like I could fly. So, I entered the Mercure's spa area with a healthy dose of skepticism.
The pool with view was… well, it was a pool. And it had a decent view of… the surrounding buildings. Not quite the azure infinity pool I dreamt of, but hey, it's Exeter, not the Maldives. The sauna was HOT, which is a good thing. The steamroom was… steamy, also a good thing.
But the real test? The massage. I booked a full-body massage, steeling myself for disappointment.
The masseuse (I'm terrible with names, but bless her heart!) was lovely and professional, immediately putting me at ease. The massage itself? Absolutely heavenly. Seriously. I actually teared up a little (don't judge, it was a long week). She worked out knots I didn't even know I had, and I left feeling like a freshly laundered… well, me. Okay, maybe I am not a spa snob, maybe… But the massage was great, I have to admit.
They offer Body scrubs and Body wraps, which I didn't try this time around, but now my interest is piqued. They also have a Fitness center/Gym. I peered in the window; it looked functional. Fine, I didn't use it. I am on vacation, sue me.
Back to reality, and more good things:
Cleanliness and safety, especially now, are HUGE. The Mercure gets top marks here. They've got anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization opt-out available (which I appreciated – feeling like you have a choice is important!), and the staff are clearly well-trained in all the safety protocol. They boast hand sanitizer everywhere, and cashless payment is available. I felt safe, which is a huge weight off your mind when you're supposed to be relaxing. They even provided individually-wrapped food options, which were perfect for a quick snack in my room.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Stumbling Block (but a Delicious One!)
Okay, let's be honest, the dining situation was a bit… hit-or-miss. They have Restaurants, a Bar, a Coffee shop, and a Poolside bar. And room service [24-hour] which is a Godsend.
The Breakfast [buffet] was…a buffet. Standard fare, nothing to write home about, but perfectly acceptable. The Western breakfast options were decent. I did enjoy the convenience of it. I did not enjoy the Asian breakfast food, however. I'm sorry.
There's also a la carte in the restaurant, but honestly, I was mostly enjoying the bar. I did make sure to try the Desserts in the restaurant though, and they were delightful.
Things to Do and See (because, you know, it's not just about the spa)
Exeter is a city with a rich history, and the Mercure is perfectly positioned for exploring. The Concierge was super helpful with tips on what to see and do. I spent a fascinating afternoon wandering around the Exeter Cathedral. And I made sure to check out the Gift/souvenir shop, picking up a gorgeous print of the Cathedral.
The Rooms – My Cozy Sanctuary
The room! Ah, my little nest. I opted for a non-smoking room, obviously. The air conditioning kept things cool, The Blackout curtains that made it easy to sleep in. The bed was gloriously comfy! I practically lived in the provided bathrobes and slippers. The Free Wi-Fi was a total lifesaver for streaming my shows, and I particularly appreciated the desk because I had to pretend to work for a few hours. Plus, the most important thing, the coffee/tea maker was amazing. I could even admire the view through the window that opens.
Services and Conveniences – The Nitty Gritty
The daily housekeeping kept things spotless – always a plus. Laundry service and dry cleaning were available, but I (thankfully) didn't need them. Luggage storage was a lifesaver when I arrived early. They provide complimentary tea, which is always a nice touch. Front desk [24-hour] service is invaluable.
Getting Around – Easy Peasy
They offer Airport transfer, and have Taxi service. Car park [on-site] parking is available.
For the Kids (if you have them)
I’m a solo traveler, so this wasn’t a factor for me, but the availability of Babysitting service is great to know.
The Verdict – Worth the Hype?
Yes, absolutely. The Mercure Exeter Southgate isn't perfect – the dining could be more exciting – but it's a solid choice. The spa experience was a revelation, the rooms are comfortable, and the staff are friendly and helpful. If you're looking for a base for exploring Exeter, and a place to wind down after a long day, consider this one a winner.
My Honest, Quirky, and Totally Unedited Recommendation:
Book the Mercure Exeter Southgate if:
- You want a reliably comfortable hotel with great service.
- You want a spa experience that'll leave you feeling like a new person.
- You appreciate a hotel that prioritizes cleanliness and safety.
- You're okay with a bit of a mixed bag in the dining area.
- You're ready to see Exeter!
Don't book it if:
- You're a hardcore foodie who demands Michelin-star dining.
- You're expecting a super-luxurious, over-the-top spa experience (though the massage is worth the price of admission).
- You have a pathological fear of buffets.
Mercure Exeter Southgate: Your Luxurious Exeter Escape Awaits! – but pack your sense of humor, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised (especially by that massage!).
SEO-Optimized Highlights for the Search Engines (and You):
- Keywords: Mercure Exeter Southgate, Exeter hotels, Exeter spa, luxury hotels Exeter, accessible hotels Exeter, spa hotel Exeter, Exeter city centre, things to do Exeter, hotel review, Mercure hotel review, spa massage Exeter.
- Focus on the user experience: Highlight the key benefits, and what makes the hotel a great option.
- Address specific concerns: Mention accessibility, cleanliness, and safety.
- Include all the relevant amenities: Restaurants, bars, pool, gym, etc.
- "Your Luxurious Exeter Escape Awaits!" - This is a direct call to action, designed to entice the user to quickly book the hotel.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. Welcome to my messy, opinionated, and probably-in-need-of-a-nap adventure in Exeter, based around the Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel. Let's see if I can keep it together…
Exeter Expedition: A Whimsical Wander (and Likely a Few Whines)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pretzel Hunt (or, "Where Am I?")
14:00 - Arrival at Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel: Okay, first impressions? The lobby looks…nice. Standard hotel nice. I'm already secretly judging the carpet. Is it plush enough? Too much pattern? (I'm apparently a carpet critic, who knew?) Check-in was smoother than expected. Score one for the front desk staff! They actually smiled. A real, human smile, not that plastic, "welcome to our facility" thing. This gives me hope.
14:30 - Room Reconnaissance and Inner Peace Quest: Room! Ah, the room. Clean-ish. The view? Well, it's not the Eiffel Tower, let's just say that. But the bed…the bed looks promising. Time for a quick investigation. Dramatic bed-jumping ensues Okay, it's a winner. Now, where’s the bloody kettle/tea/coffee. Got those, at least. First priority: a cuppa. I need to recalibrate from the train journey.
15:30 - The Great Pretzel Debacle: Right. Fuel is required. A pre-trip craving for a pretzel, for some reason, was firmly established. Google tells me there’s a place… somewhere. And so begins the hunt. Exeter, you sneaky devil, you hide your pretzels well! (It's a real thing, the pretzel struggle. I’m basically a pretzel-seeking missile). After wandering around for an hour, I finally realize, it was a pub. No pretzels. Devastated. Decided to just get fish and chips, It's better.
17:30 - Fish and Chips and a dose of "I'm Tired": Okay, fish and chips. Classic. Proper British pub experience. The chips were okay, but after the pretzel disappointment, I just wasn't feeling it. The restaurant was fine. Nothing special. Nothing terrible. A bit meh. Also, tiredness hits. I'm an adventurer, not a marathon runner, people.
19:00 - Evening Stroll and Emotional Breakdown (Just Kidding… mostly): A little stroll around the area of the hotel. Found a shop. Tried on a hat. It didn’t suit. The hat let me down. My hopes and dreams, too. I love buying things that don't look terrible on me. Anyway, I didn't buy the hat. Back to the room. The bed is calling.
20:00 - Bedtime (and Judging the Netflix Selection): Netflix. Oh, the choices. My eternal struggle. Ended up watching something I'd seen before. Tiredness wins again.
Day 2: Cathedral Dreams and Market Mayhem (or, "Please, No Rain!")
08:00 - Breakfast and the Dreaded Buffet: Breakfast at the hotel. Buffet time. The buffet: the ultimate test of hotel quality. The bacon? Soggy. The coffee? Weak. The sausages? Sigh. At least they had cereal. I managed to consume enough calories to stave off the hunger pangs.
09:00 - Exeter Cathedral: The Beauty…and the Guilt: Exeter Cathedral. Wow. Just wow. Seriously impressive. (And I hate things being "wow"). The stained glass, the architecture…it was breathtaking. But then the guilt sets in. "Am I dressed appropriately?" "Am I being too loud?" "Am I secretly judging the other tourists?" (Yes, probably). Spent an hour just wandering around, feeling profoundly small and slightly humbled. Actually, loved this bit.
11:00 - Exeter's Historic Quayside: The quayside! Cute. Very cute. Cobbled streets, little shops, the whole works. Wandered around, resisting the urge to buy everything…except a postcard, of course. I have a postcard mission.
12:30 - Lunch and the Quest for Acceptable Food: Lunch. Okay, the Pretzel Debacle has scarred. Needed sustenance. Found a nice little cafe and had a sandwich, it was nice. Again, it was fine, nothing exceptional.
14:00 - The High Street and the "I Need More Coffee" Crisis: Exeter High Street. The usual suspects. Shops, shops and more shops. Felt the need for another coffee. I, in fact, NEEDED coffee. Found a place, a little bit of caffeine joy, and stared at the people walking by.
16:00 - Relaxation and the Hotel Bar (Yes, I did): Back to the hotel. A little bit of downtime, catching up with myself and my thoughts. Then, the siren song of … the hotel bar. A very small gin and tonic and watched the world go by.
19:00 - Dinner and "Is This Actually Good?" Dilemma: Dinner. Decided to be adventurous and try a place suggested in the guidebook. The food was… interesting. Not bad, not amazing, but the presentation was on point. Maybe I'm becoming a food snob? Or maybe I just wanted a bloody pretzel.
21:00 - Bedtime (Again): Back to the room. Another night of Netflix. The cycle continues.
Day 3: Departure and the lingering Pretzel Shadow
08:00 - The Breakfast Apocalypse (Take 2): Same buffet, same disappointment. This time, I'm armed with low expectations. At least the coffee was slightly better than the last time.
09:00 - Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble: Back to the shops. Had to buy something for everyone. Found some fudge. That will do.
10:00 - Checkout and Goodbyes (and Secret Hope of a Pretzel): Checked out. Smooth, efficient. Wave goodbye to the Mercure. Goodbye carpet. Goodbye, slightly disappointing breakfast.
11:00 - Departures: Heading to the train station. A final, desperate scan for a pretzel. Oh, the heartbreak.
Overall impression: Exeter is…nice. The hotel was perfectly serviceable -- I could live there. The cathedral is a must-see. And somewhere, out there, a pretzel awaits. (Maybe next time)
So there you have it. My honest, messy, and completely un-polished experience in Exeter. Hope you enjoyed the ride! And if you find a decent pretzel, send me the address. Please.
Escape to Paradise: Mirnaya Pristan Boatel Awaits in Kineshma, Russia
Mercure Exeter Southgate: Your Luxurious Exeter Escape - or is it? Let's Figure This Out!
Okay, so what *actually* is the Mercure Exeter Southgate? Like, beyond the marketing fluff?
Alright, picture this: you’re in Exeter, feeling fancy (or pretending to be, like me sometimes). The Mercure Southgate is supposed to be your swanky home base. It's a modern-ish hotel, all shiny and new-looking. They boast about being near, well, everything. In reality, it’s *pretty* central, right next to the Princesshay shopping center. That’s good, if you like shopping. I do. Too much. My credit card weeps.
They also have a spa and a restaurant, which is standard upscale hotel stuff. Honestly, it's trying to be posh, you know? Think slightly-too-loud music in the lobby, staff who're trying *very* hard to be helpful (which sometimes feels a bit… much), and rooms that *look* lovely in the pictures. More on that later, though.
Basically, It's a good starting point for exploring Exeter, but 'luxury' might be a *slight* overstatement. Let's just say they're aiming high.
Are the rooms actually nice? The pictures look… promising.
Ah, the rooms. The eternal struggle. Okay, the pictures *are* somewhat true. They're generally quite well-designed – modern, clean lines, that kind of vibe. You've got your big bed, a decent TV, and hopefully a window that doesn't face a brick wall (pray to whatever deities you believe in for that).
But... and this is a BIG but... it depends on the room. Some can feel a bit… small, especially if you’ve got a mountain of luggage like I do. Also, I once stayed in a room where the air conditioning sounded like a jet engine taking off. Seriously, I thought I was going to have to wear earplugs to sleep. I called reception twice. They “fixed” it. Didn't. The second time, I just gave up. Slept with the windows open. Exeter in October is…bracing.
So, yeah, the rooms are generally *fine*. But don't expect absolute perfection. And definitely check the aircon *immediately*.
What about the food? Is it worth eating there?
Okay, food. This is where things get… mixed, shall we say? The restaurant, The Sweet Olive, *aims* for fine dining. And sometimes... they hit the target! I had a truly *amazing* steak there once. Perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I swear, I almost licked the plate. (Okay, I *did* lick the plate, shhh!).
On the other hand, there have been times… when the food has been a bit... underwhelming. A dry chicken breast, rubbery vegetables, something that tasted suspiciously like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a *while*. It's a gamble, frankly. The breakfast buffet is *fine*, your standard continental fare, but I once found a hair in my scrambled eggs. Yes, it was mine. But it still freaked me out. And the coffee? Don't even get me started. Lukewarm, and tasted faintly of despair.
So, yeah, the food is a bit of a rollercoaster. If you're feeling adventurous, and your budget allows, give it a try. But maybe check the reviews first. And bring your own coffee.
What's the spa like? Pure relaxation or just… a promise?
Okay, the spa. This is a BIG one. The Mercure's spa is called the "Health Club." Now let me tell you about my deeply personal spa experience. I went with my best friend, Sarah. We booked a massage. We were both in dire need of some pampering. We got the massages, and they were OKAY. Perfectly serviceable, but not something that made me feel like I was floating on a cloud. I felt more like I was floating on a lukewarm pool of lukewarm water. It was... fine.
The real drama happened afterward. The relaxation room. Supposedly, it was a tranquil haven. In reality? Toddlers. Screaming. Running. Toys everywhere. I swear, I thought I was in a daycare center, not a spa. Sarah and I looked at each other (eyes wide) and just burst out laughing. Trying to find peace in a place that sounds like a zoo? It was so absurd; it became the story of the trip. We escaped the chaos and retreated to the bar for extra-strong gin and tonics.
So in short? Be careful with the spa... it's a gamble. And remember, children are unpredictable... sometimes.
Is it easy to get around from the hotel?
Yes! That's the good news. The Mercure's location *is* a massive plus. You're RIGHT in the city center. Walk out the door and you're basically in the shopping district. The Cathedral is an easy stroll. It's close to the train station, which is handy. Buses galore. Everything you need is within easy reach, except, maybe, a decent cup of coffee.
So, in terms of location, it’s a win. You can explore Exeter easily. Just be prepared to walk a bit. My feet ache just thinking about it! Worth it though.
Anything else I should know *before* I book? Any hidden costs or weird surprises?
Okay, here’s the lowdown, from someone who's been there, done that, and bought the overpriced t-shirt (probably from the gift shop, because I'm a sucker for souvenirs).
1. **Parking:** Parking is… expensive. Really expensive. Factor that into your budget. Be prepared to bend over for the parking fees.
2. **Mini-Bar:** Those tempting little temptations in the mini-bar? Prepare to be shocked at the prices. Stock up on snacks and drinks beforehand, unless you have a bottomless wallet.
3. **Staff:** As I said before, they *try* hard. But sometimes that translates to… a lot of hovering. Which can be slightly unnerving. Just be prepared for lots of "Is everything alright, Sir/Madam?"
4. **Noise:** Depending on your room, you might hear street noise. It’s city center, after all. Pack earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
5. **Overall:** It's not perfect, but it's comfortable. It's a decent base for exploring Exeter. Just don’t go expecting the Ritz. Manage your expectations, and you’ll probably be fine.
And one last thought? If you can, try to get a good deal. They often have sales. Because let's be honest, you *will* want to spend all your money on shopping. I always do.
