Exmouth Hotel Guide: Best Places to Stay for Your Holiday

Choosing a place to stay in Exmouth depends on whether you want a B&B with rave-reviewed breakfasts or a seafront hotel with direct beach access. The Imperial Hotel Exmouth appears as the top organic result, while Booking.com lists 152 properties and prices start at €41 per night on Trivago. This guide compares four leading hotels, explains breakfast policies, and clarifies tipping etiquette for UK and Western Australian settings.

Last checked: 2026-09-10

Top search result: The Imperial Hotel Exmouth (imperialexmouth.com) · Hotel count on Booking.com: 152 properties · Price range (Trivago): from €41 per night · Price range (Booking.com): from US$79 per night · Beach access example: Exmouth Beach Hotel – 7-minute walk

What is the best place to stay in Exmouth?

Four hotels consistently appear in searches for Exmouth: The Imperial Hotel Exmouth, Premier Inn Exmouth Seafront, Dolphin Hotel Exmouth, and Royal Beacon Hotel. Each caters to different priorities.

The Imperial Hotel Exmouth

This traditional seafront hotel is the top organic result. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor frequently praise both breakfast and evening meal options (TripAdvisor). Breakfast is served between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM (Booking.com). The hotel does not explicitly advertise free breakfast; guests should confirm inclusion at booking.

Premier Inn Exmouth Seafront

Located directly on the seafront, this chain hotel offers predictable, budget‑friendly pricing. Breakfast is not included but can be added as an optional paid meal. Travelers looking for consistency and family‑friendly rates often choose Premier Inn.

Dolphin Hotel Exmouth

A pub‑style hotel close to the town centre. Related search terms suggest it is frequently compared with the Royal Beacon. Limited detailed review data is available for Dolphin, but it appears as an alternative for walk‑in guests.

Royal Beacon Hotel, Exmouth

This hotel charges £15 per person for a full English breakfast served daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Expedia). A verified guest review on Expedia noted that breakfast was not free even though it had been advertised as included, causing confusion. On the positive side, guests give top marks for breakfast quality, helpful staff, and location.

“Breakfast was also delicious and filled us up all day 🙂 would definitely stay again if we were in the area.” – Unnamed guest, Malindi Bed & Breakfast (TripAdvisor)

Is Exmouth nice for a holiday?

Exmouth is a traditional seaside town in Devon, England, with a long sandy beach and a Victorian promenade. Hotels are clustered near the Esplanade, making beach access straightforward. The town caters to different budgets: from budget chain hotels to small B&Bs with exceptional breakfasts.

Exmouth Beach and seaside charm

The beach is the main draw. Exmouth Beach Hotel sits a 7‑minute walk from the shore. Properties like The Imperial Hotel overlook the seafront. Reviews on Expedia and TripAdvisor highlight the relaxed atmosphere and family‑friendly vibe.

Location in Devon, England

Exmouth lies at the eastern edge of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is well‑connected by train to Exeter and beyond. For a holiday focused on coastal walks, seafood, and seaside relaxation, Exmouth delivers.

The bottom line: Exmouth is a solid choice for a seaside holiday, especially for families and couples who value beach proximity and a slower pace.

Do Exmouth hotels offer free breakfast?

Breakfast policies vary by property. None of the four hotels in our comparison explicitly include breakfast in the standard room rate across all booking platforms.

Breakfast policies at top Exmouth hotels

• The Imperial Hotel – breakfast served 7:30 AM–10:00 AM, not guaranteed free; check booking terms.
• Premier Inn Exmouth Seafront – paid optional breakfast, no standard inclusion.
• Dolphin Hotel – policy not clearly stated online; contact directly.
• Royal Beacon Hotel – English breakfast at £15/person, served 7:00 AM–9:00 AM.
• Malindi Bed & Breakfast – breakfast included in room rate (as is typical for B&Bs).

Is complimentary breakfast worth it?

When breakfast is included (as at Malindi), guests consistently praise the quality. When charged separately, the Royal Beacon’s £15 breakfast receives top marks. At Premier Inn, the paid breakfast is adequate but not special. Review patterns suggest that if you want a memorable morning meal, seek out a B&B or be prepared to pay for the hotel’s offering.

The trade-off: Paying extra for breakfast may cost £10–£15 per person per day, but the quality at Royal Beacon and The Imperial can justify the expense.

How much should I tip hotel housekeeping per day?

Tipping norms differ between the United Kingdom and Australia. Since Exmouth exists in both Devon (UK) and Western Australia, we cover both contexts.

Tipping etiquette in UK hotels

According to a detailed guide on TippingAtlas, UK hotel tipping norms suggest £1–£2 per bag for porters and £1–£2 per day for housekeeping (TippingAtlas). However, always check whether a service charge is already included. For self‑service breakfast buffets, tipping is generally not expected – TripAdvisor Q&A contributors confirm this (TripAdvisor).

“It is not customary to tip at a continental breakfast that is served buffet‑style.” – Brooke Bergen, former front‑desk associate, cited by Matador Network

Tipping for complimentary breakfast

If breakfast is table‑service (plated orders, servers taking orders), a 10% gratuity is common in the UK. For buffet‑style, leave no tip. The Matador Network guide advises that tipping is appreciated when a server takes orders or serves drinks.

Tipping in Exmouth, Western Australia

Australian tipping culture is far more relaxed. The Sydney Morning Herald states that “in Australia you don’t have to tip – ever” (SMH). Lonely Planet notes that hotel tipping is not standard practice, and housekeeping tips of around AUD 5 per day are optional for exceptional service (Lonely Planet). The Southern Crossings guide reinforces that tipping is entirely discretionary and not expected (Southern Crossings).

Pros and cons of each option

Pricing bands: what to expect

Based on data from Trivago and Booking.com, prices in Exmouth range from €41 (budget) up to US$92 per night for mid‑range hotels. The Imperial and Royal Beacon sit at the higher end, while Premier Inn and small B&Bs offer entry‑level rates. Expect to pay an additional £10–£15 per person for breakfast at hotels that charge separately.

Alternatives in Exmouth

Beyond the four main hotels, consider Exmouth Beach Hotel for the shortest walk to the sand (7 minutes). Also check Malindi Bed & Breakfast if you value a home‑cooked breakfast and personal service. The Cavendish Hotel (a comparable coastal hotel nearby) offers a classic English breakfast spread with porridge, cereals, fruits, and cooked options – a good benchmark for what Exmouth properties typically provide (Trip.com).