Clarion Collection Hotel Buckerell Lodge

I hadn’t been to the Buckerell Lodge Hotel for over 40 years when I used to live in Exmouth I knew the hotel had been in difficult times and even gone thru a bankruptcy the year before. Had no idea what to expect however given the pandemic covid19. I was delighted to find the hotel open for guests. I saw on arrival the extensive and beautiful gardens were still there and looking great, the building look like some amazing country club very stunning. Inside due to the current situation the dining room still the elegant wood paneled one that I remembered ,was closed and of course meals were only by room service. I had a very warm welcome at the reception by Lacey, who offered me the dinner menu and asked me if I would like to order now and what time I would like to have my dinner delivered. I checked into my room which was very comfortable and well appointed. The bathroom was large and supplied with nice amenities. Later in the evening I was returning to the hotel and there was a problem with road closures and the detour was making me late for the dinner I have ordered, a call answered by the increasingly and ever helpful Lacey who said not to worry and should she postpone me dinner until 9pm. When I arrived back at the hotel I had my nephew with me we ordered drinks which Lacey insisted she brought to the room, which was quite far from reception and, which we could have easily carried with us. We added to our dinner order without and problems given the time and circumstances so that my nephew could join me. Lacey brought the starter to us and, then waited until she thought that we would be finished, took the plates away and brought our main course to us, although this was past Lacie’s going home time. Lacey offered very kindly to suggest that the settee was a sofa bed and she would be happy to make it up if my nephew wanted to stay instead of driving home as the weather was not good. We tried to give Lacey a tip for her courtesy and exceptional service rarely seen in someone so young. Lacey refused the tip saying would we put it in the staff tip box when we left, such honesty is also rare. I met the temporary owner Joe Hibberd and Jodi General Manager over coffee before I had to leave. I learned that the hotel was awaiting approval of plans to turn it into a care home. So, whilst they wanted to do renovations they were hesitant because if plans were approved they would suffer financially. Personally, I hope this management and super staff get to keep it as a hotel. They would do wonders with It with their experience ,they say that customer service starts at the top, it certainly does at Buckerell Lodge Hotel It’s a unique and beautiful Exeter landmark and not many independent hotels like it please keep it Exeter. I can see that the hotel needs some TLC but that is overshadowed by such a welcoming and anxious to please team. Thanks for again great stay see you next time. Fred Finn The Worlds Most Travelled Person Guinness World Records 718 flights in Concorde and 15 million Miles

Booked here only for one night whilst on a road trip around Devon, was pleasantly suprised for the price we paid it was pretty good ! It's never going to be top notch for a cheap hotel but the bed was really comfortable and seemed the most part pretty clean apart from the windows could of had a better clean. Shower had a decent water pressure to it, heated towel rail was a nice touch too. The room had plenty of facilities including a safe, iron with ironing board and a hairdryer. Overall worth the stay if its only for a night, didn't try the food so can't comment on that. Friendly staff with easy check in and check out process. £4 charge for overnight parking, which I feel should be free as most hotels offer free parking now. Plenty of parking spaces available.

1 star. My room was booked via a booking agent. Arrived and was checked in with no paperwork. No lift only stairs. The room looks and is tired in many ways. This standard of decor and wary appliances is all across the hotel. The shower is weak, with the temperature fluctuating, and only one bulb works. The bedroom again has only one working light, a small wall light. The iron attached to the corby press doesn't work, and I'd caked in burnt residue. The main bar is tired, and in need of an update. The dining room is dire. The breakfast was (see in images) less than appetising. With light fittings in a poor state. To top it off despite booking the room with a meal/drink allowance as I'm ordering a drink at the bar (first one ran out on the pumps) I was informed my room needed paying for. This was the final straw. The room is secured by the booking agent of which I had evidence. I had overheard a few guest asking "is this Fawlty Towers!".. I can understand why the comparison.