I stayed at the Devon Hotel for two nights in January, 2007, whilst on business locally.

The Devon is situated by a roundabout, adjacent to the A379 Exeter By-Pass, very near the Marsh Barton Trading Estate. It’s a three star hotel, a modern building next to a more traditional one housing a bar and restaurant, where breakfast and dinner can be taken.

Because of the position next to the main road, I phoned a couple of days before my arrival to request a quiet room at the back of the hotel. I was greeted by a cheery young lady, who promised to do her best to grant my request, and she must have been the same person who welcomed me to the hotel on my arrival. As well as getting my requested room, I was asked whether I would like a newspaper the following morning (and once ordered, it appeared also on the second morning without being re-ordered), a wake-up call and a table for dinner in the restaurant.

My room (number 19) was what could be described as a compact double – a double bed, wardrobe, dressing table with two drawer units and two chairs – all making the room rather crowded. Oddly, the washbasin was not only in the room rather than the quaintly small bathroom, but it was on the opposite side of the room to the bathroom, making for several trips back and forth from the bathroom, round the bed, to the washbasin to get ready in the morning. There was no storage area around the washbasin, so toiletries have to be left on the nearby bedside table. The room was generally clean, apart from the large toenail I trod on outside the bathroom.

There were a surprising number of things that didn’t function in the room. The TV remote was obviously in need of new batteries, and the light above the washbasin didn’t work. It wouldn’t take much effort to check these things occasionally so that it is not incumbent on the guest to report such defects. The worst thing, however, was the room temperature, which ranged from the cold to the Arctic – and this may have been just this room, or others may have been affected. The radiator was never more than warm, even with the temperature set to maximum, and the heating was timed to switch off at around 11pm, despite the outside temperature being zero. On the second morning, the heating didn’t come on at all and there was no hot water, so….welcome to a cold shower and shave on a cold and frosty morning. I reported all these defects to Reception and received an apology, but that did not make up for the inconvenience.

Breakfast and dinner can be taken in the Carriages bar and restaurant, next door. It has a very pleasant ambiance, with courteous and friendly service, and the restaurant is non-smoking – a great plus. For breakfast there’s a choice of Continental (£5) or English (£10), which is buffet-style, and extra dishes such as kippers, porridge, etc are available to order. Dinner can be chosen from an extensive menu or taken from the carvery, which had a choice of beef or pork on both nights I was there. The food was always piping hot. The only criticism I would make of the bar is that they do not keep their beers very cold – tepid Guinness and lager are not very appetising.

Overall, this could be a very comfortable hotel, but is let down by lack of care and maintenance of the rooms. I would consider returning, but not during the cold weather, and I would check everything in the room was working before unpacking. But should I really have to do this?

Stayed here for a wedding a couple of weeks ago. On the website it looks pretty nice, and from the cost you expect something decent. The accomodation is in fact motel style, with cars parked right outside your window/front door. And its right on the roundabout of the Exeter-by-pass, so you can't open your window as the noise of the road is so loud. Breakfast is not included. Also bar shuts at 11, despite it saying in the broshure that there is 24 hour room service. (no food or drink available after 11pm). Staff all pretty grumpy.
Everything else was just fine!!

I would certainly have a good look around before booking here - there has to be something better in the area.