Hotel du Vin Exeter

Had a spa day today for a catch up with a friend. Absolutely wonderful massage - one of the best ever and I’ve had a few - Natalia was the masseuse- it wasn’t an off the peg experience - she knew her stuff and honed in on the relevant areas. I would return just for that. Restaurant was lovely, very friendly and attentive chap, food was good. Although no robes permitted to be worn despite the paperwork advising it was ok to wear robes in the bar and library, the waitress said this was not permitted anywhere, that’s the last she had been told. Maison du blanc wine was very nice but had to send back due to it being room temp! In a French restaurant?? Really?? The waiter was apologetic and advised they had issues with their fridge. The pool was lovely and warm, clean as were the changing areas. Disappointed the indoor pool is the size of a cupboard with nowhere to sit. Spa treatment area is separate to the pool and it’s a case of moving all your gear and walking outside in a robe.

Went for a spa package offer this morning. The staff were very welcoming and polite. The massage treatment was lovely. However the layout of the spa is quite inconvenient. After having a massage if you want to proceed to the swimming pool you need to walk across the garden, wearing a robe and carrying all your bags, coat etc. Not very pleasant to step into the cold/ rain after a relaxing treatment. Swimming pool facilities were disappointing, the floor in changing rooms was untidy, baskets for towels were full. The hair conditioner was empty, body lotion bottle half full but broken. Could not use the swimming pool as the water was too cold. Again after a massage you would love to swim in a heated swimming pool, not cold. The floor of the swimming pool had sand and leaves in the part that is not outside. Eventually I stepped in and out of it. Bare in mind it was early afternoon Friday, the facilities looked like it hadn't been cleaned for days. The meal at the restaurant was nice , staff very friendly. I was given a gift certificate for the day , so only paid a bit extra, if I had paid the full amount I'd be really disappointed.

Superb dining atmosphere with elegance. Nice menu ideas but lacking breadth of choice. The night was fairly quiet, but somehow the service was very slow despite seeming well staffed. Still managed to miss an item off our meal of 2 dishes! The fish casserole is highly recommended - delicious. Fairly well priced.

We have stayed in the Bristol branch and therefore expectations were super high. The room was lovely but we had the Deluxe. I think the cosy must be very small. The bathroom was also very small but lovely. However it was clean, beautiful decor and lots of tall windows. I particularly liked the wardrobe area which was separate. The robes and slippers were a lovely touch but unfortunately the pool was out of action whilst there, which was the only reason we chose this over others. We were were not told that it was reopened, just that it hoped to be open. The hotel wasn't decorated as Christmassy as expected either. I do love the hospital background and the fact that it has original features. We paid for an extra hour checkout time but we were called by reception as to why we hadn't left. They did apologise for their error. Overall not bad, especially as it wasn't silly expensive. (We didn't pay for breakfast though as dear.) We would stay again as the location is perfect.

The staff were friendly polite, none intrusive and keen to provide us with the best possible service they could. The atmosphere was warm and friendly |. The rooms were comfortable and warm. The Christmas lunch was excellent and fun. The location is central and quiet, ideal! We enjoyed our time in the spa. The parking is great. I would recommend the hotel for a Christmas experience.

Booked a room direct at a discount with late check out of 12pm included. We had the opportunity to bid on a suite at a discounted price and the room is amazing with a bath in its own room, as well as a shower and regular bathroom. The staff on check in were lovely and helpful and it is in a great location. Massive thank you to Steve. We booked a wine tasting and it was just for the two of us as c.£45 each with 500ml+ of wines, with some retailing at over £70 a bottle. Steve talked us through everything and we learned so much in a very informal setting. It was an amazing experience and we would come again. Will be recommending it to all of our friends and family. Thank you Steve and Hotel du Vin Exeter.

the spa staff and massage I had was amazing! I had a deep tissue with Natalie and she worked on my knots, checked in about pressure and gave me guidance afterwards of things to help (in a very non-pushy way that made me more likely to come back) I was very pleased with my experience with her! |Whilst I think the hotels pool facilities are maybe lacking (no relaxation space or even chairs by the pool), you also don’t pay that much for it so is fit for purpose as long as you go to the pool expecting just a pool! (We went on a Monday in January)

calm, well-run hotel that understands how environment affects the body. Housed within the walls of a former hospital, the building’s history has been handled thoughtfully rather than theatrically. Original signage and architectural details have been retained as subtle design features, creating a quiet dialogue between past and present. Instead of feeling clinical, the space feels grounded — restorative in a way that acknowledges its heritage without being defined by it. Check-in was warm, efficient and reassuringly straightforward. Staff throughout the hotel were friendly, capable and calm, immediately setting a steady tone. Natural light flows through the public areas and into the rooms, soft and consistent rather than harsh. Spaces feel layered and human-scaled, with seating arranged to offer both connection and privacy. You can sit alone without feeling exposed, which is rarer than it should be. Materials matter here. Warm wood flooring, soft textiles and tactile finishes create a grounded atmosphere rather than a polished, high-gloss one. The air felt fresh and clean, not heavily scented. Lighting in the room was controllable and gentle, allowing the space to shift with the time of day. I would happily stay again. A restaurant that understands atmosphere as much as service. The standout design feature is the series of pendant pod lights suspended above the tables. They create a sense of containment and human scale within a larger room, subtly lowering the visual ceiling and drawing the focus inward. Each table feels gently held rather than exposed. There’s also a clear attempt to soften the harder architectural lines of glass and metal around the perimeter. Greenery is used to blur the edges between interior and garden. Even where some of the planting is artificial, it works as visual buffering, reducing sharpness and helping the space feel more grounded. Lighting is warm and well controlled, shifting the mood as the evening progresses and preventing the room from tipping into glare or echo. The overall effect is calm rather than performative. Service was friendly, attentive and natural. As a solo diner, I felt entirely comfortable, which is often a good test of whether a dining space is genuinely well designed. n excellent spa that focuses on real restoration rather than show. The space is calm, simple and thoughtfully designed, with natural light, fresh air and no overpowering scents. It immediately felt grounding rather than performative. The relaxation area has a subtle wood-burner aesthetic that creates a feeling of warmth and containment. That soft glow adds a sense of refuge and makes it easier to properly switch off. I also appreciated the small, considered touches. Product samples were available to try while relaxing — creams and skincare left out to explore at your own pace. It didn’t feel like a sales pitch, just an invitation. That quiet generosity makes a difference. My massage was outstanding — strong, confident and highly skilled. I experienced noticeably improved neck mobility afterwards, something I haven’t felt in years. The therapist clearly prioritised results over ritual. The relaxation areas were peaceful and carefully curated, allowing you to genuinely settle. A restorative, confidence-inspiring experience. I would return without hesitation.