The Turks Head

The hotel is a quintessential bustling English inn and historic pub with its own microbrewery, offering a unique stay experience. Guests are consistently impressed by its central location in the heart of the city, making it ideal for sightseers, city breakers, and university visitors. The rooms are frequently described as quirky, historic, and comfortable, providing a charming atmosphere. The staff's friendliness and helpfulness also stand out as a key highlight. While some street noise is expected given the location, the provision of earplugs helps ensure a restful night. For those seeking a stay with character and convenience, this establishment is a strong recommendation. To make the most of your visit, be prepared for steep stairs as there is no lift, and consider using the provided earplugs if you are sensitive to noise.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's primary amenity is the historic pub itself, which doubles as a microbrewery, offering a vibrant atmosphere and a wide selection of craft beers and ales. Guests consistently praise the pub's lively ambiance and its multi-level layout, including a popular rooftop area for enjoying drinks. While the hotel does not feature traditional amenities like a fitness center or swimming pool, the convenience of having a bustling pub and brewery directly on-site is a significant draw, providing entertainment and dining options just steps away. The rooms are accessed via a separate private entrance next to the pub, ensuring a sense of privacy despite the bustling environment. This unique setup means the focus is on the character and convenience of the integrated pub experience rather than extensive hotel facilities.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently commend the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, often describing them as immaculate and well-decorated with a quirky and historic character. Most guests found the beds comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, though some noted that the double beds could be tiny and less comfortable for two people, or that the bed frame was squeaky. Rooms are well-equipped with amenities such as espresso coffee machines, bottled water, premium teas, hair dryers, and ironing boards. The en suite bathrooms are generally praised for being stylish and featuring good and powerful showers, along with Bramley bath products. While earplugs and eye masks are thoughtfully provided due to potential street noise or pub noise, many guests found the rooms surprisingly quiet, especially those on higher floors or at the back. Some minor issues included occasional hot water tap problems or a stiff water pressure handle, and a few instances of unrefilled in-room amenities.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's integrated pub is highly regarded for its dining and food quality, offering a diverse menu that receives consistent praise. Guests particularly enjoy the great beers brewed on-site, with a wide selection of craft ales and lagers available. The food is often described as excellent and good value, with popular dishes including fish finger sandwiches, beef burgers, and a highly recommended Sunday roast. However, some guests expressed disappointment with the gravy on certain dishes, noting it lacked flavor or consistency. Despite this, the overall atmosphere of the pub is lively and welcoming, making it a popular spot for both hotel guests and locals. While the hotel itself does not provide breakfast, numerous cafes and eateries are conveniently located nearby, offering ample options for morning meals.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, situated directly on the high street in the heart of the city. This prime position places guests within easy walking distance of major attractions such as the Cathedral, various shopping areas, and numerous restaurants and bars. It is also conveniently close to public transport, including the Exeter Central railway station, making it highly accessible for travelers arriving by train. While the hotel does not offer on-site parking, guests found ample options at nearby NCP car parks, such as the Guildhall car park, though costs can accumulate for extended stays. The vibrant city center location means there can be street noise, particularly at night, but this is generally considered a trade-off for the unparalleled convenience and accessibility to all the city has to offer.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. Guests frequently highlight the warm welcome received upon arrival and the staff's willingness to go above and beyond, such as carrying luggage up the stairs to rooms. The check-in process, typically handled at the busy pub bar, is described as fast and swift, with an express check-out option available. Bar staff are particularly noted for their product knowledge regarding the beers and their attentive service. While housekeeping is described as "low key," rooms are generally found to be clean and well-maintained, and staff are responsive to requests like providing ice. Overall, the team's dedication to providing excellent customer service is a recurring theme in guest feedback.

Additional Information
A crucial piece of information for prospective guests is the presence of steep stairs throughout the historic building, as there is no lift access to the rooms. This may pose a significant challenge for guests with mobility issues or those carrying heavy luggage, though staff are often willing to assist with bags. The hotel operates with a low-key housemaid service, meaning daily room servicing might not occur automatically unless specifically requested by guests. While the hotel does not offer breakfast directly, its central location ensures numerous cafes and eateries are conveniently available just steps away. Guests should also be aware that the pub operates a card-only payment policy. The unique character of the building, including its wonky floors and beams, adds to the charm but also contributes to the overall historic feel and the aforementioned stair situation.