Exeter’s newest boutique hotel is one year old this week. Southernhay House, in Exeter’s leafy Georgian quarter, just off Cathedral Close, opened its doors on 1st June 2011 and has developed a reputation for clubby, relaxed eating and drinking and a “must-stay” selection of bedrooms.
It was a challenging time for a new hotel opening; especially one independently financed and designed to “offer London style at Exeter prices”. The project was personally managed, and the hotel is directed by, husband and wife team Tony Orchard and Deborah Clark, who also own iconic Burgh Island and who live in Exeter.
“The last year has been an interesting process of watching what our guests want and fine tuning what we offer. While we adore Burgh Island and the high octane glamour it offers, Southernhay house is very much its more relaxed, cooler cousin,” comments Deborah Clark. “We launched into a troubled economic climate but clearly from this point there is good potential for an independent business which delivers something unique. It has always been our view that there is a growing appreciation of Exeter as a home or business base which works on a personal level and Southernhay House is a part of that.”
Southernhay House celebrated its first birthday in Olympic style, with a patriotic cocktail party for local regular guests, who watched the torch pass through Exeter from the windows of the Georgian gentleman’s residence.
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