Southernhay House
East India Company meets grown-up boutique. Antique portraits of sultans and admirals hang alongside roll-top baths and bold cocktail menus. Relaxed and fun, not stuffy — more private members' club than formal hotel. Period features throughout, zero cookie-cutter touches.
Request a room with garden views — both Southernhay Gardens and the hotel's own private garden can be seen from select rooms
Why It Matters
Featured in the Michelin Guide, Good Hotel Guide, The Independent, The Telegraph, GQ, and Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector. The only independent boutique hotel of this calibre in central Exeter. Owners brought serious hospitality credentials from running Burgh Island Hotel. Cocktail bar and seasonal Devon-sourced menus punch above the hotel's intimate 11-room scale.
A Grade II* listed Georgian gentleman's residence turned independently owned boutique hotel, open since 2011. The Roman Doric portico and original ceiling roses signal something special — inside, 11 individually designed rooms reference Exeter's East India Company history with names like Ivory, Silk, Spice, and Opium. The bar alone is worth the trip: widely considered Exeter's best cocktail destination. Owned by Deborah Clark and Tony Orchard, the duo previously ran Burgh Island Hotel for 17 years, and the same panache shows.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Charming — Wilberforce
The smallest room in the hotel, but the website is upfront about it: Wilberforce punches on style and charm. Views over leafy Southernhay Gardens are a genuine highlight. Works well for solo travellers or a spontaneous overnight. No compromise on quality of linens, toiletries, or furniture — just less floor space.
Double
Lovely — Chai, Ambergris, Saffron, Opium
Mid-tier rooms that sit between the spacious Larger category and the compact Charming entry. Still individually styled with the same quality of bed, bath, and furnishings the hotel is known for. Good for single-night stays or guests who don't need the extra floor space of the larger tiers.
Double or KingLovely & Larger — Silk, Spice
Two rooms on the west wing, opposite each other. Spacious seating areas set them apart from the standard tier — king-sized beds and good proportions make these ideal for longer stays or guests who want to spread out a bit. Same quality furnishings and East India Company naming as the rest of the hotel.
KingLovely & Luxe — Ivory, Tulip, Sugar, Cotton
The top tier. King or super-king beds, very large bathrooms, and roll-top baths — some positioned in the room itself. Each is individually designed and named for East India Company trade goods. Sugar leans hard into Art Deco with vintage Cuba posters; Tulip is a favourite for romantic stays based on guest reviews. All look out over the garden or Southernhay Gardens.
King or Super-KingThe Southernhay Apartment
A fully self-contained apartment in the Georgian townhouse directly opposite the main hotel — 2 minutes from all hotel amenities. Designed for longer stays: there is a fully fitted kitchen (fridge/freezer, oven, hob, microwave), a separate laundry room, dedicated workspace, super-king bed, and an optional sofa bed for a third guest. High ceilings with concealed zone lighting. Minimum stay of 2 nights required; discounted rates for stays over 6 days.
Super-King (plus optional sofa bed)The Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The bar staff are known for going off-menu and mixing bespoke cocktails on request. With 25+ listed cocktails and an extensive spirit selection (including local Devon gins), the bar is an experience in itself. Open to residents and non-residents daily until 11:30pm.
A recurring Friday evening event (5–7pm) held in the hotel garden and terrace over summer. Guests and non-residents gather for drinks and the end-of-week ritual. No ticket required — just show up and order at the bar.
The hotel hosts private dining events for up to 14-15 guests in its Private Dining Room, plus garden parties with canapés and cocktails. Does not host weddings unless the party is small enough for the Private Dining Room. Children aged 8 and over welcome at private dining events.
Outdoor yoga sessions held in the hotel garden, aligned with the lunar cycle. Run across summer 2026. Drop in for one session or attend the full series. Tickets/bookings via the hotel website.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Due to the Grade II* listed status of the Georgian building, there is no lift. Staff assist with luggage. All public areas are accessible to wheelchair users.
Available throughout the hotel — rooms and all public areas.
An award-mentioned glass conservatory/pavilion connecting the bar to the garden — al fresco feel with shelter. Available for dining and larger private group drinks with canapés.
Accommodates up to 14-15 guests for private dinners, celebrations, and events. Separate from the main restaurant areas.
A casual indoor dining and lounge space with an open fireplace, ideal for cooler months. Available to both guests and non-residents for bar food and drinks.
Available on request for hotel guests.
Available to hotel guests. Bar menu served all day with home-made comfort classics.
A secluded walled garden and sun terrace at the rear of the hotel, open to guests and non-residents alike. Used for al fresco dining, cocktails, and seasonal events. Dogs are welcome in the garden.
A driveway at the front of the hotel for unloading bags and checking in. No on-site parking available. Nearest managed car parks are a short walk; street parking on Southernhay East is free from 6pm–8am. Blue badge holders can park directly outside.
There are no on-site pool, gym, or spa facilities.
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