Top 10 Fairmont St Andrews Hotels

This was the third hotel we stayed at on this UK trip. We arrived a few hours before the stated check in time and instead of ”you can check in now, but I'll have to charge you for an extra day” we were told that the room would probably be ready in an hour - they'd let us know and we were welcome to have a drink or some lunch. We had both a drink and some lunch and then we were informed that the room was ready and our bags had already been taken upstairs. No extra charge. And unlike so many hotels these days, they actually tidy the room and change out the linens on a daily basis. Just like before Covid! The staff are delightful. After a day or so the staff get to know you and what your preferences are. They brought me glasses of water when I was sitting outside without being asked. The bartenders were very good at mixing cocktails and perfectly made drinks they were unfamiliar with. The food in the restaurant was exceptionally good, although we had one hiccup with a breakfast. We only had dinner there one evening - for a group of 8. It was a bit pricy but the service made it worth it. Very close to the cathedral and shopping. Staff suggestions for dining outside the property were mostly very good. I wish they'd had a lift as it was very difficult for me to navigate the stairs, but I was aware of that before we arrived and I managed. (They did bring the bags down for us when we checked out.) We were a group of three couples staying and they were very accommodating. Any deficiencies are made up by the excellence of the staff.

Booked this as a stopover on our way down to Padstow. What a fantastic find! Staff were second to none, Jane and Scott so helpful, couldn’t do enough for us. Best pancakes ever for breakfast but plenty of choice. My husband was taken ill on our last morning and Mike, the General Manager, was both helpful and kind. Great room for us and our dog with amazing view of the river. Plenty of tables outside to fully appreciate the view.

We stayed because our husbands were going to the rugby and the girls having a trip into Exeter. Location of the hotel was perfect not a long walk to the train station for us to get into town. On arrival at 12.30 reception was full queues of people trying to check in or leave bags. A man was sent out to take our car registration and names and then we could wait in the bar until they were ready for us. The boys waited in the bar and we headed off. They were checked in before 3 when they had to leave for the rugby which was good but to be honest we knew we were early and would have been happy leaving the luggage. We were told out of the 3 couples we had an upgrade to what turned out to be an accessible room and to be honest it isn’t an upgrade. I would have preferred the room we had booked which certainly wasn’t accessible. One of the other couples was over charged by £70 on check in - which we did sort out on our return. Whilst shopping we checked to see if our mobile key was ready but no we had to go to check in and do that on return to the hotel so they could Id us seems to defeat the object. On arrival back joined a queue again to activate the mobile key. It seems to be the longest slowest check of any hotel I have stayed in. When we finally got to the front we were given a normal key as it might take a while for the mobile one to work. Good job because it took nearly an hour to activate and then when I tried it it wouldn’t work with my phone. We then went to the bar before dinner again it was packed we managed to get a table but only 2 servers so wait for drinks was a little long. Price was ok. We had a table booked in the view for dinner and the food was lovely and reasonably priced. Again restaurant was very busy but the staff were lovely. Couldn’t have water. On the table as the waitress informed us they had run out of jugs, we said we would wait but she said no they had no jugs? She had to keep topping up from a bottle and she wasn’t allowed to leave the bottle on the table. Perhaps a trip to the next door IKEA May have sorted that. The main meal came with various items missing off of each plate, salsa, salad and chips. Overall was nice though. Breakfast was an another matter, we sat in the bar as the restaurant was packed. The design of the restaurant for breakfast is awful. People queueing for hot food past the croissants and bread and toaster so someone is always in the way. The fruit and cold meat and cheeses on the end of the hot line so missed by a lot of people. Only Greek or soya p,Ian yoghurt noth8ng flavoured, ran out of compote and fruit. Had to ask for the orange juice to be topped up. Just very disorganised and badly set out. Now I know it was a busy rugby weekend but the hotel are obviously fully aware of this. The staff were pleasant and the food in the evening lovely, in the morning ok. The room was clean and lovely - definitely not an upgrade though so please don’t make out it was. I would stay again if husband was going t

It’s a historic pub right beside the old Guild hall in the Centre of town. With that comes some street noise but wow… what a location right in the middle - 2 minutes walk from the cathedral green. The owner and staff are really helpful and kind and the place has been recently renovated very nicely. Good showers and comfy beds. 2 small rooms and 3 larger rooms but actually… the smallest room ( no1) is probably the quietest

We used this hotel as our base to tour South Devon. The hotel was above and beyond our expectations. Our room was comfortable, the bathroom was large and well stocked. The hotel staff were exceptional, shout out for Alfie who was so friendly and helpful. The breakfast is amazing! Great choice of individually packaged cereals, fresh fruit, danish pastries, and a choice of hot breakfasts including dishes such as poached eggs with smoked salmon. All topped of by a great choice of clipper teas or coffee. Can totally recommend this little gem of a hotel.

Value for money indeed. Never expect such a spacious and well-refurbished room at such an amazing price. Would recommend it to anyone who visit Exeter since it’s located exactly at the city centre and within 10 or 15 minutes walk from both railway stations.