How long have you been open?
We opened this Grade I listed building as a hotel in February. It started life as a merchant's house in 1827 and later become a convent. We already own one hotel on Dartmoor, so owning another in Exeter seemed to be a natural progression.
Any famous guests?
We have politicians who stay with us and many media personalities. It is a Georgian townhouse more than a hotel and some people don't like to be placed in larger hotels with less character.
What about odd requests?
Relatively few so far. But often people want to go fishing in the pond as there is a huge Koi carp in there, weighing around 15lb.
What about days out?
Exeter is a really exciting place to be at the moment. Having been in a culinary desert for years, the situation has now exploded and many more restaurants are opening up. It's great that Exeter can encourage good quality staff back to the provinces.
The retail sector is also expanding: Gandy Street is particularly good for gift and craft shopping. I often recommend visitors go to Topsham, a little port about two miles from Exeter. It is full of antiques shops. The Quay Antiques Centre is stacked with interesting things. Eat at No 5 in Topsham for good English food with a Mediterranean influence. There are lots of Dutch buildings there, originating from when merchants from the Netherlands moved there in the nineteenth century, so it is interesting from an architectural perspective, too. If you do anything you must go to Exeter cathedral. It is 850 years old and has sculptures of kings, bishops and prophets. There are numerous eateries near the cathedral and a brasserie called Brazz which is quite a trendy place. People also enjoy tours of the city catacombs to discover why Exeter is regarded as the most haunted city in the country.
What do you do to relax?
It isn't really a word one recognises when running a hotel but I would love to go riding. It doesn't happen.
Holne Chase Hotel 1 Mary Arches Street, Exeter
01364 63147
Double rooms from £125, singles from £95
Brazz 01392 252525
No 5 01392 877878
Quay Antiques Centre 01392 874 006
