I booked into Bournemouth for a cruise leaving out of Southampton. Was a bit nervous of the town's "stag and hen" reputation, but the prices were right. After good research, I chose the Royal Exeter because of price, location and reviews on multiple sites (and in spite of some on here.) On the bus ride from the train station , I passed many of the hotels I'd seen online in the same price range and they were scary looking. I began to get a little worried. (Despite mis-information on the Web claiming there's no bus service, it picks up right outside the station very regularly and drops about 20meters away from the hotel). Boy, did I luck out. I'm writing this from my room right now on the free wifi. The hotel is a classic - lots of uppercrust English personality, a grand staircase, antiques, portraits etc. Slightly musty lobby, like aged wood. Not smoky or dirty. Reception was very pleasant and helpful with several requests. My room on the third floor is very nice. I reserved a single room, but the room is big enough for two (although a double bed). It is spotlessly clean, as is the lobby and hallways. Room is a good size, much better than many I've had throughout Europe. Carpets are in good shape. The bed is very comfortable, with a down comforter and good sheets. Cute throw pillows etc. Nice desk. Bathroom is white, spacious and very clean. Reasonably modern for such an old hotel. Bathroom floor linoleum is slightly worn but it's not bad and it is very clean. I'm very happy with the room. The bar and restaurant have been very busy, a good sign but I havent had time to try. I read some complaints about the lift not working and other issues etc but everything is effortlessly flowing with my visit. Havent had b-fast yet but I usually sleep through the free breakfast anyways. The location is fabulous...right up the street from the main beach with watersports, kids games etc. Overall, I really feel like I dodged a bullet. Out of all the hotels I've seen in this town since I arrived, I'd only consider staying here or the Hermitage next door. Okay, I admit, I'm a hotel snob and spoiled, but the rest looked pretty beaten up. The Royal Exeter was a great choice.

After a recommendation I stayed at this hotel with friends. The bars are some of the best I have been to because they have a good balance of ages and great music/atmosphere/food. They had live music on until midnight(ish) and still had a good atmoshere late afternoon after the beach!! Rooms very reasonably priced and clean.

Horrible time here; lift not working, food cold & not much of it. Soup-less than 2 spoonfuls- pollock (fish) was supposed to be roasted, instead was pan fried. Potatoes & veg did not arrive at all, had to tell waiter, when they arrived they were cold. was told no cider at all in hotel when I asked for half pint strongbow, the manager asked me why I hadn't ordered a drink. I explained & 5 mins later a waitress appeared from the 'Bar So' with a PINT of strongbow for me.apparently none of the waiters & waitresses knew they sold it!! BED hard, lumpy & dipped in middle so you rolled down to the middle, pillows hard & lumpy too. No main light working. rang reception & explained.. was told she couldn't do it as on her own, she would send maintenance man when he arrived in evening (on a saturday? I don't think so!) at last (about 3.5 hours later) a man arrived to do bulb - a member of bar staff, too short & no step ladder. Had to go & get someone else who had to stand on chair to do it. SHOWER-holes in shower head partly blocked & when water did come out it went over the side of the bath onto the floor.Staff not bothered & very unhelpful. never again would I stay here, not even if you paid me to. WARNING-STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE. Jenny

We stayed at the Royal Exeter for 1 night on 29th August, conveniently situated for beach, town centre and bars. Very nice reception staff and plesantly suprised with room. Booked a double room including breakfast, large comfy room, with all ameneities expected, loads of choice at breakfast including fresh fruit, yoghurt,cereal, cold meats, and croissants and pastries, also full english breakfast which was really nice. Hotel also has own car park, which was a bonus, although little confusing to find entrance, which is located right off rounabout, outside the hotel main entrance, very easy to miss.Would stay there again and would recommend it.

We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights during a recent long weekend break in Bournemouth. The location is excellent, 5 minutes from the beach and 5 minutes from town. We booked through Expedia and were allocated a large family room even though we'd only booked a double and we therefore had masses of space. The room was tastefully decorated, the bathroom in need of an update but perfectly clean. There's clearly been more money spent on the public areas of the hotel. The two bars, 1812 and Bar So are modern, stylish and have an extensive cocktail menu. We preferred 1812 as the cocktail menu was larger and it had a more laid back feel. The bar staff were clearly talented in the art of cocktail making. Bar So had a more clubby feel to it and wasn't quite so relaxing. We ate at the restaurant on our last night and had a good value meal, the waiting staff were attentive and the food was above average. Our only gripe was that having booked through Expedia we paid a room only rate and breakfast at the hotel was an extra £10 per head per day. There was a wide selection of good quality food, including cooked to order hot food, but to have to pay an additional £60 for breakfast seemed a bit steep. We found a local cafe, less than a minute away and both ate very well for £10 between us! One note of caution for any very light sleepers, both bars have patios on which people were drinking and chatting until around midnight. The rooms mainly have windows overlooking one of these patios and as these aren't double glazed some noise is audible from the bedrooms (we were on the 2nd floor - it might be less so on the top floor?). This wasn't a major problem for us as we's had enough cocktails not to notice(!) but if you had small children or wanted a quiet early night it might be worth bearing this in mind. Overall we'd stay here again if we came back to Bournemouth but would probably try and get a better deal on the room rate with breakfast included.