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Summary of reviewsCity Gate in Exeter has earned high praise for its strategic location, stylish accommodations and welcoming atmosphere. Situated close to the city center, guests find it easy to explore nearby attractions like the Cathedral and Northcott Theatre. Its proximity to Exeter Central and St Davids train stations adds to the convenience, making arrivals and departures hassle-free.
The breakfast at City Gate is consistently lauded as one of the best aspects of the stay, offering a range of delicious, freshly made options in a bright, welcoming setting. Specific dishes like the crab hollandaise muffins and full English breakfast are highly recommended. The dinner experience is similarly well-received with guests enjoying a tasty menu selection, though some noted a desire for more variety. The ambiance of the pub and restaurant, including a serene suntrap garden, enhances the dining experience.
The rooms at City Gate blend rustic charm with modern amenities, featuring lovely showers and thoughtful extras like complimentary port and fudge. While some guests found the attic rooms a bit cramped, the general consensus is that the spaces are comfortable, stylish and well-maintained. Small issues with cleanliness and maintenance do come up occasionally but are not the norm.
The staff at City Gate are frequently praised for their friendliness and outstanding service, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience. Their attentive and accommodating nature often leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
Guests also appreciate the hotel's dog-friendly facilities, making it a convenient choice for pet owners. Complimentary amenities for dogs and a welcoming attitude towards pets are frequently highlighted.
City Gate provides a comfortable and enjoyable stay with high-quality bedding, a luxury feel and a vibrant nightlife experience on-site. However, the Wi-Fi connection appears to be inconsistent and noise levels can sometimes be an issue. Despite these minor drawbacks, City Gate stands out for its exceptional service, prime location and overall inviting atmosphere, making it a highly recommended option for travelers visiting Exeter. Show more
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Family Friendly Hotel
Located in the heart of Exeter, this hotel offers family-friendly rooms designed with unique local influences. It provides a welcoming atmosphere for all ages and offers a children's menu.
Dog Friendly Hotel
The City Gate welcomes dogs with a VIP treatment, providing a doggy hamper filled with treats, a dog bed or blanket, and a bowl. Up to two dogs can stay in the specially designed dog-friendly rooms for an additional fee. Dogs are allowed in shared areas if kept on a lead.
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Located in Exeter, the City Gate hotel is near the city's nightlife, including bars and music venues. Its location provides easy access to entertainment options.
Room Types
Boutique Double RoomThis air-conditioned room features an en suite bathroom, a TV, and Nespresso coffee making facilities.
Boutique Twin RoomThis air-conditioned room features an en suite bathroom, a TV, and Nespresso coffee making facilities.
Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room features air conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Superior Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room features air conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
City Gate boasts an enviable location in Exeter, making it an excellent choice for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the city's vibrant atmosphere. The hotel is lauded for its proximity to the city center, placing guests within a short walk of shops, restaurants and key attractions such as the Cathedral and the Northcott Theatre. The convenient access to both Exeter Central and St Davids train stations adds to the appeal, making arrivals and departures hassle-free.
Many reviews highlight the perfect and ideal location, central yet surprisingly quiet. Guests appreciate being just minutes away from the city's main streets and amenities, allowing for effortless exploration of Exeter's local surroundings. The hotel's stylish and spacious rooms receive positive mentions with elegant decor and thoughtful touches enhancing the overall stay experience.
Additionally, City Gate is praised for its welcoming staff and excellent service. The property has a unique character and charm, from its interesting design style to the cozy boutique ambiance. Dining options, particularly breakfast and dinner, are well-received, further adding to the hotel's appeal.
For those driving, parking is conveniently located nearby with guests noting the availability of both open and covered car parks. Overall, City Gate is highly recommended for its strategic location, stylish accommodations and exceptional service, making it a standout choice for anyone visiting Exeter.
Breakfast
At 'City Gate,' breakfast receives high praise from guests, consistently described as amazing, delicious and outstanding. Many guests highlight specific offerings like the crab hollandaise muffins, which were a treat and the full English breakfast cooked to perfection. Breakfast is often noted for being freshly made, well presented and a good value for money, particularly the bacon and Eggs Benedict. The breakfast area itself is described as bright and welcoming, adding to the enjoyable dining experience.
The variety and quality of the breakfast spread are frequently mentioned with guests appreciating the range of options available, from cooked-to-order dishes to a tempting buffet. The setting for breakfast, often served in a delightful conservatory, adds to the pleasant experience. For those with dietary restrictions, the staff are understanding and accommodating, ensuring a satisfying meal for everyone. While there are minor mentions of a few shortcomings, such as a watery hollandaise and occasionally running out of eggs, these are rare exceptions amid the overwhelming approval.
Overall, breakfast at 'City Gate' is described as one of the best aspects of the stay with guests frequently noting its high standards and the sheer enjoyment of starting their day with such a splendid meal.
Dinner
Guests have shared a largely positive dining experience at 'City Gate.' The food consistently receives high praise with many describing it as tasty, delicious and amazing. Diners highlight a good menu selection and exceptional food quality, matching their positive comments about the breakfast offerings. The dinner menu, while generally well-received, is noted by a few as lacking variety and occasionally having unavailable options. Guests particularly enjoyed the vegan meat burger and fish and chips, although the salad received mixed reviews.
The pub and restaurant ambiance contribute to the enjoyable dining experience, featuring a lovely dining area and a sun trap garden, perfect for pre-dinner drinks. The selection of wines and cocktails complements the meals, adding to the overall dining pleasure. However, some diners noted that service at breakfast and dinner could be improved. Despite a few instances of reportedly overpriced dishes or poor service, most reviews commend the co-located restaurant for its delicious offerings and fabulous food standards. Breakfast in bed is a notable highlight, considered a treat by guests.
Ultimately, 'City Gate' provides a generally excellent dining experience characterized by high-quality, flavorful food and a pleasant atmosphere, making it a noteworthy choice for both locals and visitors.
Rooms
The rooms at City Gate have garnered a mix of feedback, but the positive aspects strongly shine through. Guests frequently highlight the rooms' appealing rustic charm combined with modern bathrooms, often praising the lovely showers and overall bathroom experience. The spacious and well-appointed rooms are noted for their comfort, modern decor and cleanliness, offering a fresh and well-maintained environment. Views from the rooms, when available, add an extra layer of enjoyment to the stay.
Particularly appreciated are the extra touches such as complimentary port, fudge and bottled water, which add to the welcoming atmosphere. Guests often comment positively on the attention to detail in the room's decor and the thoughtful amenities like Nespresso machines and stocked minibars. The design of the rooms, which oscillates between quirky vintage interiors and elegant boutique styles, strikes a chord with many visitors, giving the place a unique identity.
However, there are occasional mentions of small or tiny rooms, particularly the attic rooms, which might feel a bit cramped for some guests. Despite this, the comfort of the beds and the high-quality furnishings tend to mitigate this downside for many. Issues with cleanliness or maintenance are occasionally cited, including dirty carpets or items left from previous guests, but these instances seem to be exceptions rather than the norm.
Overall, the City Gate's rooms are depicted as quiet, comfortable, stylish and well-equipped, making it a desirable lodging option for travelers seeking both character and comfort during their stay.
Beds
City Gate has made quite an impression with its bedding arrangements, earning high praise from many guests. The consensus is clear: the beds are notably comfortable. Several reviews highlighted that the beds were huge with some describing them as super comfy, optimal for a very good sleep. Emphasis was placed on the comfort of the bedding with many describing their beds as big, very comfy, relaxing and great for a restful night.
However, not all feedback was entirely positive. A few guests found the beds slightly uncomfortable or a bit hard and there were occasional mentions of lumpy pillows and mattresses. Despite these disparities, the general sentiment remains that City Gate succeeds in providing a comfortable and inviting sleeping environment, likely contributing to an overall pleasant stay.
Cleanliness
City Gate offers a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness with many guests praising the accommodations for being exceptionally clean, cosy and comfortable. Rooms are often described as spacious, neat and immaculately maintained with comfortable beds and fresh, fluffy towels. Guests frequently highlight the overall cleanliness of the hotel, noting that it feels welcoming and well-maintained.
However, not every guest shares this positive sentiment. Some reviews mention issues with cleanliness, such as unemptied bins, dusty surfaces and stained carpets, which detract from the overall experience. Bathrooms, while generally clean, occasionally lack thoroughness in their upkeep. Specific complaints about dirty corners, unhoovered floors and leftover items from previous occupants indicate inconsistencies in the cleaning standards.
Despite these occasional lapses, City Gate generally succeeds in providing a clean and comfortable atmosphere, enhanced by friendly staff and thoughtful touches. For many, the hotel's cleanliness aligns well with its stylish and welcoming environment, though prospective guests should be mindful that experiences may vary.
Staff
The staff at City Gate consistently receive high praise for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Numerous reviews highlight that the staff are super friendly, welcoming and incredibly accommodating. Many guests have noted that the staff go out of their way to ensure a pleasant experience with some stating that they couldn't fault the staff in any way. The reception staff, in particular, are often described as lovely and engaging, willing to resolve issues and provide outstanding customer service. Additionally, adjectives such as amazing, fantastic, superb and top-notch appear frequently in the guest reviews to describe the service provided by the staff.
Overall, guests appreciate the warm and positive atmosphere created by the staff, who are frequently described as polite, courteous and professional. The staff's efforts in making guests feel welcome and valued contribute significantly to the hotel's charm and desirability. While there are occasional mentions of less favorable interactions, the overwhelming sentiment is that the staff at City Gate excel in hospitality, making it a highly recommended stay for travelers seeking a friendly and supportive environment.
Wi-Fi
City Gate offers complimentary treats and impressive facilities, but Wi-Fi connectivity presents some challenges. While some guests experienced fast internet, others reported issues such as intermittent access, poor or slow connections and difficulty connecting to the server. It appears that Wi-Fi quality can vary with some guests noting that it was particularly problematic in the rooms. Improvements in this area could significantly enhance the overall guest experience.
Family
City Gate offers a welcoming family atmosphere, perfect for those visiting Exeter with children. The sheep-themed room decor is particularly charming, adding a playful touch that kids and adults alike find delightful. The hotel is conveniently located near the university, making it ideal for families attending graduations or other university-related events. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and child-friendly environment, as well as the thoughtful gestures and attentive service provided by the staff. Overall, City Gate is highly regarded for its professionalism, attention to detail and suitability for family stays.
Nightlife
City Gate offers a vibrant nightlife experience with an on-site bar and restaurant, making it convenient for guests to enjoy meals and drinks without needing to leave the premises. Guests appreciated the lovely bar and its early closing time of 10pm. Additionally, the conservatory sitting space provides a relaxing evening atmosphere. The staff received praise for their welcoming and friendly demeanor. However, noise levels from outside and from staff at night were a common concern with the surrounding area described as not particularly pleasant. Despite the noise, many guests found their stay overall enjoyable, highlighting the good-sized rooms and the lively atmosphere.
Luxury
City Gate offers a luxurious accommodation experience marked by attention to detail and a distinct luxury feel. Guests rave about the amazing rooms, noting their spaciousness, cleanliness and exceptional comfort, especially the high-quality bedding and large, comfortable beds. The bathrooms are described as lovely and pristine and the toiletries provided add a touch of indulgence.
The hotel's boutique nature is highlighted, contributing to its charming and unique atmosphere. The decor is mentioned as quirky and well thought out, creating a pleasing aesthetic that enhances the overall stay. Facilities within the hotel are of good quality, including luxury bedding and showers, making the experience more opulent.
The staff receive high praise for their friendliness, attentiveness and accommodating nature, particularly the bar staff and the gentlemen running the hotel. Small complimentary perks such as free port and flapjacks contribute to the luxurious experience, along with other thoughtful little touches that guests appreciate.
Despite a few mentions of run-down areas, the overall impression of City Gate is one of luxury and comfort, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers seeking a high-end hotel experience.
Dog Friendly
City Gate Hotel is highly praised for its dog-friendly facilities and services. Guests appreciate that they can bring their dogs and the hotel provides thoughtful amenities for pets, such as a doggy hamper, bedding, bowls and treats. Many visitors noted the hotel staff’s welcoming attitude towards dogs, contributing to an overall positive experience for both pets and their owners. The dog-friendly rooms and location make it a convenient choice for those traveling with pets. However, there are minor issues reported, such as occasional dog barking, suggesting that while the hotel is accommodating for pets, it may come with some noise disturbances.
No, City Gate doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at City Gate.
Yes, City Gate welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at City Gate.