Stayed here in November last year.
Had originally booked the City Gate, just around the corner from St Olaves, but they subsequently contacted me with some cock and bull story about dodgy electrics in the room they had allocated (double-booked!), and to tell me that they had "transferred" me to St Olaves; apparently, there is a degree of "mutual lack of animosity" between the two establishments.
The setting for St Olaves is something of a contradiction: Mary Arches Street is home to a couple of the City's most vibrant bars, and these are patronised with some enthusiasm by the large student population, though there seems to be no hint of trouble or aggressive behaviour.
Walking through the archway into the hotel precinct takes you into a different atmosphere completely, almost as if you have crossed into a parallel universe.
The building is very attarctive, and the "Old Mint" building is also housed within the grounds.
Good start, I thought.
Small reception.
Friendly, small girl on duty at reception.
Small spiral staircase up to my.......VERY small room.
I should have borrowed the hotel cat to see if there was enough room to swing him.
Stain on carpet that really should have been dealt with.
My "significant other" was just waved straight upstairs without having to prove she was here to meet me.
As she entered she said, "Christ! What a tiny room."
I said, "Go home and get the cat; I have a test to perform."
However, the staff are very friendly and the food in the restaurant is good, and not too pricey.
Breakfast is ok.
Overall, I would like to give a higher grade due to the copperation of the staff, but feel the hotel needs a total makeover, maybe with some rooms knocked through to form larger ones.
It is not the cheapest either.
As a postscript to this, it turned out that the bill was £20 more than it would have been at the City Gate.
The City Gate were good enough to refund the difference, so I may try there again.
- St Olaves Court Exeter
- St Olaves Court
