The Devon Hotel

The Devon Hotel sits in Matford, on the southern edge of Exeter near the M5 junction, and it works as a practical dog-friendly base if you're using Exeter as an overnight stop while visiting family in the area or transiting further into Devon. The single pet-traveller review describes it as a perfect base for visiting family with a dog, with friendly staff, decent food, and the convenient roadside-hotel location.

The booking listing doesn't publish a structured pet policy for The Devon Hotel, so confirm specifics directly with the hotel when you book. The Devon's value proposition is functional rather than boutique: easy M5 access, on-site parking, breakfast included, and a quick onward drive into central Exeter or south towards Plymouth and the South Hams. For dog owners using it as a one-or-two-night stopover rather than a destination, that's a reasonable trade.

Location-wise, you're not in central Exeter but you're about 10 minutes' drive away. The canal towpath and the Exe estuary path are accessible from town for longer dog walks. Dartmoor's eastern edge is around 30 minutes by car, and the South West Coast Path is accessible by a short drive south. The Devon Hotel's specific location is roadside, with one guest noting their room overlooked a roundabout, so it's worth requesting a room facing away from the main road if you have a dog that's sensitive to traffic noise.

The honest trade-offs: one recent non-pet-traveller review flagged serious cleanliness and customer-service concerns (dusty room, accessibility issues), which is unusual against the property's otherwise positive review profile but worth knowing. The Devon Hotel will suit dog owners who want a known-quantity roadside hotel near Exeter for a single-night or short stopover, who value the M5 access and on-site parking over a town-centre location, and who plan to confirm pet policy and request a quieter room directly with the hotel when booking.