🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom
St Andrews Hotel
📍 St Andrews Hotel, 28 Alphington Rd, St Thomas, Exeter EX2 8HN, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — St Andrews Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Exeter.
The Property — St Andrews Hotel
The St Andrews Hotel is a no-fuss, family-run 3-star perched on a quiet residential street a 10-minute walk from Exeter's city centre. The lobby feels like a friendly guesthouse: worn leather armchairs, a daily paper on the coffee table, and staff who remember your name. Rooms are compact, clean and modernised, aimed squarely at visitors who want a solid base for exploring Devon rather than a destination in itself.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter grew from a Roman fortress (Isca Dumnoniorum) into a medieval wool-trading powerhouse, its cathedral and cobbled quayside bearing witness to that wealth. The city was heavily bombed in 1942, which cleared the way for post-war rebuilding and a jumble of Brutalist concrete alongside Georgian terraces. Today it's a compact university town with a lively cafe culture, independent shops on Fore Street, and the Exeter Phoenix arts centre anchoring a proper creative scene. The city's real draw, though, is its position: a gateway to Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
June and September offer warm days (18-22°C), long daylight, and lighter crowds than peak July-August. May is also good, with spring flowers along the Quay and fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, driven by school holidays and the Devon County Show (May) and Exeter Festival (July) – the latter lifts hotel prices by 25-30%. Expect full occupancy at St Andrews and a busy city centre.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best shoulder months: hotel rates drop 15-20%, crowds thin out, and the weather is still walkable (10-15°C). March can work but expect mud on Dartmoor.
Weather & packing
Exeter's climate is famously fickle – you can get four seasons in a day thanks to moisture rolling off Dartmoor. Pack a waterproof shell and a warm layer every time, even in June.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- Exeter's new bus station opened in 2024, centralising key routes and improving links to the Quay and St David's rail station – check timetables as some routes have changed.
- Princesshay shopping centre is mid-refurb: some main entrances are relocated, but all shops are open. Expect minor noise near the cathedral side until late 2026.
- The Tourist Information Centre at the Quay has moved to the Phoenix Centre on Gandy Street – good for walking maps and Dartmoor advice.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to St Andrews Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a first-floor room at the rear of the building (facing away from Alphington Road). The first floor minimises stairs while keeping you above pavement noise, and the rear aspect avoids most traffic rumble from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid second-floor rooms – no lift means a steep climb with luggage, especially if you’re not fit or have heavy bags. Also avoid any room at the front directly overlooking Alphington Road, which carries steady traffic through St Thomas into Exeter city centre.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms look over the neighbouring gardens and rooftops towards the River Exe valley – not a showstopper but a calmer outlook than the street. If you want to see the cathedral spire, a front second-floor room might catch it, but you’ll trade quiet for a glimpse.
Quietest floors
First floor is your best bet: one flight up, still relatively quiet, and out of earshot of street-level footfall and the small reception area.
🔊 Noise notes
Alphington Road is a main route into Exeter (A377), so front rooms get constant traffic noise from 7am to 7pm, plus delivery lorries to nearby shops. The hotel has no soundproofing beyond standard double glazing – expect street hum during rush hours. Also, the lack of lift means footsteps on the stairs echo through the building; earplugs are wise for light sleepers.
Insider tips
1) For parking, use the Alphington Road Car Park (100m away, £8.50/24h via RingGo – app required). Don’t park on surrounding streets: residents’ permits are enforced. 2) The ground-floor accessible room is worth requesting if you have mobility issues – but book direct and confirm a week ahead, as it’s the only one and often taken by walk-up guests.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — St Andrews Hotel
Free standard-speed WiFi throughout; no login required, just accept terms. No paid upgrade available.
No lift; all rooms on first and second floors via stairs only. Ground-floor accessible room available by prior request.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via a code from reception. No physical newspapers delivered.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Free bag drop available from 12:00 if rooms not ready. Late check-out until 13:00 £20, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage behind reception desk, no locker facility; ask at desk for access.
Step-free access: one low step at main entrance (portable ramp available on request). No wheelchair-accessible bedroom or adapted bathroom; a ground-floor room with wide doorways is the most suitable option.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Alphington Road Car Park, 100m away, £8.50 for 24 hours (pay by phone). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a £50 holding deposit on a debit/credit card taken at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Thomas (586 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: St Thomas Methodist Church (807 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: St Thomas Methodist Church (829 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: St Mary Steps (993 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Guildhall — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Pinces Gardens — 494 m · ~6 min walk
Royal Albert Memorial Museum — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Exeter Little Theatre Co — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 682 m · ~9 min walk
Boots — 595 m · ~7 min walk
Premier — 135 m · ~2 min walk
Exeter St Thomas — 596 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Offices for better rates than airport bureaux; avoid tourist-area exchanges which charge poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are nearly universal; cash still accepted but less common; chip-and-PIN still standard in some older establishments.
15-18% in restaurants if service not included; £1-2 for casual cafés; taxi drivers typically get 10%; hotel staff tipping is optional but appreciated (£1-2).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Use Exeter's local bus network heavily—fares are low and day passes excellent value. Shop at Lidl or Aldi for groceries, and eat lunch at supermarket meal-deal counters. Walk the compact city centre to avoid transport costs; most attractions are within 20-30 minutes on foot.
Good to know — Exeter
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
ExeterFor non-urgent police matters, dial 101. For health advice, call NHS 111. Deaf or hard of hearing? Use text relay on 18000.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Exeter, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at St Andrews Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 682 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Boots — 595 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Anywhere in Exeter → Melbury Rooms & Studios / City Centre attractions
💡 Routes 1, 3, 4 serve the city centre near hotel. Evening NightRider service available until 02:00 on weekends. Walking distance to attractions makes buses less essential.
Exeter St Davids Railway Station → Exeter Central Station (5 min walk to hotel)
💡 If arriving via National Rail, use the train between stations. Buy a contactless Day Cap (£5.50) for unlimited local journeys on all transport modes.
Exeter Airport (EXT) → Melbury Rooms & Studios, Exeter City Centre
💡 Pre-book for airport arrival to guarantee availability. Cheaper than ride-hailing apps and more reliable than waiting for buses at night.
Exeter Airport (Coach Station) → Exeter City Centre (High Street near hotel)
💡 Most budget-friendly option. Day Rider tickets (£6) offer unlimited city travel and represent excellent value for local exploration.
About Exeter
Wikipedia ↗
Exeter ( EK-sit-ər) is a cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately 36 mi (58 km) northeast of Plymouth and 65 mi (105 km) southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at St Andrews Hotel?
Request a first-floor room at the rear of the building (facing away from Alphington Road). The first floor minimises stairs while keeping you above pavement noise, and the rear aspect avoids most traffic rumble from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at St Andrews Hotel?
Avoid second-floor rooms – no lift means a steep climb with luggage, especially if you’re not fit or have heavy bags. Also avoid any room at the front directly overlooking Alphington Road, which carries steady traffic through St Thomas into Exeter city centre.
Is St Andrews Hotel noisy?
Alphington Road is a main route into Exeter (A377), so front rooms get constant traffic noise from 7am to 7pm, plus delivery lorries to nearby shops. The hotel has no soundproofing beyond standard double glazing – expect street hum during rush hours. Also, the lack of lift means footsteps on the stairs echo through the building; earplugs are wise for light sleepers.
Which rooms have the best views at St Andrews Hotel?
Rear-facing rooms look over the neighbouring gardens and rooftops towards the River Exe valley – not a showstopper but a calmer outlook than the street. If you want to see the cathedral spire, a front second-floor room might catch it, but you’ll trade quiet for a glimpse.
What are insider tips for staying at St Andrews Hotel?
1) For parking, use the Alphington Road Car Park (100m away, £8.50/24h via RingGo – app required). Don’t park on surrounding streets: residents’ permits are enforced. 2) The ground-floor accessible room is worth requesting if you have mobility issues – but book direct and confirm a week ahead, as it’s the only one and often taken by walk-up guests.
What time is check-in at St Andrews Hotel?
Check-in at St Andrews Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does St Andrews Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard-speed WiFi throughout; no login required, just accept terms. No paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at St Andrews Hotel?
None
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
June and September offer warm days (18-22°C), long daylight, and lighter crowds than peak July-August. May is also good, with spring flowers along the Quay and fewer tourists.
Top Attractions in Exeter
💡 Donate a pound to light a candle in the quire chapel for a moment of quiet. The free guided tours run at 11am and 2pm most days.
💡 Start at the Quay and walk north towards St David's Station. The path is flat and good for bikes. Stop at the free Red Coat guided walk at 10am on Saturdays from April-October.
💡 Head to the top floor for the quiet balcony overlooking Queen Street. The permanent collection is always free; temporary exhibitions sometimes charge.
💡 The bandstand hosts free music on summer Sundays. Take the path past the war memorial for a direct route to the centre. Free public toilets near the playground.
💡 Book ahead online to save £1.50 per ticket. It's tight and dark – wear shoes with grip. Tickets cost around £8 for adults, £6 concessions. Worth it for the unique layout.