Hotel Indigo Exeter Spa: Amenities, Reviews, and Tips

Tucked into a historic city-centre building at 3 Catherine Street, Hotel Indigo Exeter combines boutique style with a dedicated wellness level in its basement: The Retreat Spa. This article draws on the official hotel site, independent reviews, and guest feedback to clarify exactly what the spa offers, how access works, and whether it delivers the relaxation you would expect from a city-centre spa hotel in the United Kingdom.

Last checked: 2026-08-24

Hotel brand: Hotel Indigo (IHG) · Location: Exeter city centre, Devon, England · Spa name: The Retreat Spa · Key spa facilities: Hydrotherapy pools, steam room, sauna, experience shower, relaxation area

Do Hotel Indigo Exeter guests have access to the spa?

Yes – all hotel guests can use The Retreat Spa, but it is not included in the room rate. According to a Daily Express review, the spa charges a per‑session fee. The standard price is approximately £30 per person Monday–Thursday and £35 Friday–Sunday. If you book a spa treatment, the session price drops to about £15. Some TripAdvisor reviewers report occasionally finding promotional rates near £10 for a two‑hour slot, suggesting variable pricing and mid‑week deals.

What facilities does The Retreat Spa offer?

The Retreat Spa sits in the basement of Hotel Indigo Exeter. The official spa page lists a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and an experience or rainfall shower. Guests describe the atmosphere as calm and intimate, with a small but well‑maintained space that feels separate from the bustle of the city‑centre hotel above. Treatment rooms operate daily from about 9:00 to 18:30, while the spa facilities themselves are open 10:00–18:00, with late evenings until 20:30 on Mondays and Thursdays.

The bottom line: The Retreat Spa offers a focused set of water‑based relaxation amenities rather than a large thermal suite, but the extended hours on two weekdays give guests extra flexibility.

What did Hotel Indigo Exeter used to be?

The building that houses Hotel Indigo Exeter is a former historic city‑centre property. According to an official news release, the hotel opened to the neighbourhood on 13 December 2022 after a period of redevelopment. The exact original function of the building is not specified in the sources reviewed, but the hotel’s design incorporates local heritage themes into its room décor, as noted on the property’s own site.

What to watch: Because the hotel is relatively new (opened late 2022), the facilities are modern and well‑kept, though the building’s historic shell gives it character.

What do guests say about Hotel Indigo Exeter and its spa?

Guest feedback across TripAdvisor and Booking.com paints a broadly positive picture. Many reviewers highlight the stylish interiors and the rooftop bar with cathedral views as standout features. Some mention that the rooftop bar can be pricey and occasionally suffers from slow service.

“The Retreat Spa by Elemis down in the basement is a fantastic opportunity for hotel guests to relax.”

— Daily Express travel reviewer

What are guests saying about The Retreat Spa?

Spa‑specific comments are generally favourable, with adjectives such as “calm”, “intimate”, and “clean” recurring. One TripAdvisor guest wrote: “We used the gym, which while small was clean and had everything you need for a decent workout, and the spa was nice with a calm, intimate feel.” The main criticism found in reviews concerns the cost of spa access, with several guests noting that the session fee felt high relative to the small size of the facilities.

Why this matters: The spa’s value depends heavily on whether you treat it as a premium add‑on or a regular part of your stay. Booking a treatment or planning your session during weekday hours can significantly improve the cost‑per‑experience ratio.

Does Hotel Indigo Exeter have a gym?

Yes – the hotel has a fitness suite that, unlike the spa, is free of charge for hotel guests. The Hotel Direct overview describes it as small but clean and adequately equipped for a basic workout. The gym shares similar opening hours to the spa (roughly 10:00–18:00).

The trade‑off: If your priority is fitness rather than relaxation, the complimentary gym provides a no‑cost amenity. The contrast with the paid spa allows guests to choose where they want to invest their stay budget.

What does Hotel Indigo Exeter offer for breakfast?

Breakfast is served on‑site, and it is one of the most frequently praised aspects of a stay. Aggregated ratings on Trivago, which pull from multiple booking platforms, note that breakfast quality and staff friendliness are commonly highlighted by guests. The hotel’s three restaurants – Colsons, Beckett’s, and The Dugout – offer a range of settings from a more formal dining room to a casual sports bar, and breakfast appears to be available in at least one of them. Specific menu items or times are not detailed in the sources reviewed.

What this means: You can expect a well‑regarded breakfast on site, but check current options directly with the hotel if you have specific dietary needs or early‑morning timing requirements.