The Devon Hotel

The Devon Hotel sits at Matford on the southern edge of Exeter, and for a dog owner its appeal is practical: designated dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor, plenty of parking right outside, and a bar lounge where dogs can join you for dinner. It works best as an easy stopover or a base for visiting family in Devon.

Dogs stay from £20 per dog, per night in the designated dog-friendly rooms, so ask for one when you book. Dogs are welcome in the bar lounge and on the sun terrace but not in the restaurant, and guests with dogs say eating in the bar works well, with good evening food and a strong breakfast.

When it goes right, dog owners describe friendly staff, easy ground-floor access straight out to the car park, and a location that makes getting in and out of Devon simple. Some rooms overlook a roundabout and nearby building work, so it is not the place for a rural view.

When it goes wrong, the problems are serious. Room cleanliness is the recurring complaint, with dusty furniture, cobwebs, a marked mattress and cracked fittings all reported, and rooms not serviced during a multi-night stay. Guests have also been told a dog-friendly room was unavailable for an extra night, with the only option upstairs where dogs are not allowed, and booking notes about room needs have not always reached the front desk. One room had steps between the door and the bed, awkward for an assistance dog.

The Devon Hotel earns a 3.8 out of 5 paw rating. It suits dog owners who want a simple, affordable base with easy parking and somewhere to sit with their dog in the evening, provided they confirm a ground-floor dog room directly with the hotel before travelling.