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The best area to stay in Exeter is along Water Street, particularly near the Phillips Exeter Academy campus and the Squamscott River.


This area forms the historic heart of Exeter, offering a pleasant and walkable environment. Water Street itself is lined with a mix of local shops, eateries, and historic buildings, while the Phillips Exeter Academy campus features impressive architecture and well-kept grounds. The Squamscott River runs alongside this area, providing scenic views and opportunities for riverside strolls.


Couples often find this area ideal for a relaxing and cultured getaway. The proximity to the academy means there are often cultural events and exhibitions to enjoy, and the independent shops and restaurants provide a nice selection for evenings out. The Exeter Historical Society and the American Independence Museum are also within easy walking distance.


For solo travellers looking for a convenient and pleasant base, staying near Water Street is also excellent. You're within walking distance of everything you'd need, from a good coffee shop to a local bookstore, and the general atmosphere is welcoming and easy to navigate.

Two of the best hotels in Exeter that receive consistently high recommendations from travellers are the Exeter Inn and the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter.


The Exeter Inn, with a 9.0 rating, is praised for its nice, clean rooms and absolutely amazing, helpful staff. Guests particularly enjoy the wonderful, delicious complimentary breakfast and the extremely helpful front desk. It is conveniently located near Gilman Park and the American Independence Museum.


Another highly recommended option is the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, which has a 9.2 rating. This hotel offers comfortable, clean rooms with premium bedding and designer toiletries. Guests frequently comment on the great, good breakfast and the friendly, helpful staff. It also features an indoor pool and is close to the American Independence Museum.

For families travelling to Exeter, the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Portsmouth Exeter are excellent choices.


The Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, with a 9.2 rating, is highly regarded for its comfortable and clean rooms, along with a great breakfast. Families will appreciate the free cribs and rollaway beds, a swimming pool, and the convenience of connecting rooms. Guests also benefit from complimentary self-parking, free WiFi, and a free area shuttle. It is conveniently located near Gilman Park (1.3 km), the American Independence Museum (0.9 km), and the Phillips Exeter Trail (1.4 km).


Another fine option is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Portsmouth Exeter, rated 8.6. This hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms, and guests frequently praise the friendly and helpful staff. It provides complimentary cribs, a swimming pool, and connecting rooms, along with a free continental breakfast. It is situated 2.1 km from Gilman Park and 1.6 km from the American Independence Museum.

For hotels in Exeter that offer a complimentary breakfast, consider the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, the Exeter Inn, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Portsmouth Exeter.


The Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, with an excellent 9.2 rating, provides free breakfast, including a convenient to-go option and a buffet. Guests frequently highlight the comfortable and clean rooms, as well as the friendly and helpful staff. It is also well-located, being just 1.1 km from the Exeter Historical Society and 0.9 km from the American Independence Museum.


Another excellent choice is the Exeter Inn, which has a 9.0 rating. This hotel offers a complimentary continental breakfast and is praised by guests for its wonderful breakfast and absolutely amazing staff. It is conveniently situated just 0.4 km from the Exeter Historical Society and 0.7 km from the American Independence Museum.


Finally, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Portsmouth Exeter, rated 8.6, also provides a free continental breakfast. Guests appreciate the comfortable and clean rooms, the fantastic breakfast, and the excellent coffee. This hotel is located 1.8 km from the Exeter Historical Society and 1.6 km from the American Independence Museum.

For a top pet-friendly hotel in Exeter, the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter is an excellent choice.


This hotel has an outstanding 9.2 rating and warmly welcomes both dogs and cats. Guests consistently praise the comfortable and clean rooms, as well as the friendly and helpful staff. Complimentary amenities include a free buffet breakfast, free self-parking, and a free area shuttle, making it very convenient for exploring Exeter. The hotel also provides free wired internet in public areas and free WiFi. Its location is considered great by many, and it is conveniently close to the American Independence Museum, Gilman Park, and the Phillips Exeter Trail. See more pet-friendly hotels in Exeter

For budget-friendly accommodation in Exeter, the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Portsmouth Exeter are both highly recommended.


The Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, with an excellent rating of 9.2, offers complimentary buffet breakfast, free WiFi, and free self-parking. Guests frequently mention the comfortable and clean rooms, the great breakfast, and the friendly staff. It is conveniently located near the American Independence Museum, just 0.9 km away, and the Exeter Historical Society, 1.1 km away.


Another great option is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Portsmouth Exeter, rated 8.6. This hotel provides free continental breakfast and complimentary self-parking. Travellers appreciate the comfortable rooms, the helpful staff, and the fantastic breakfast. It is situated 1.6 km from the American Independence Museum and 1.8 km from the Exeter Historical Society.

For hotels in Exeter near Phillips Exeter Trail, consider the Inn By The Bandstand, the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, or the Exeter Inn.


The Inn By The Bandstand, with an exceptional 9.8 rating, is located just 1.3 km from Phillips Exeter Trail. This hotel offers luxurious amenities such as deep soaking bathtubs, designer toiletries, bathrobes, and premium bedding. Some rooms also feature a sofa bed and a fireplace, providing a very comfortable stay for families. It is also very close to the American Independence Museum, only 0.1 km away.


Another excellent choice is the Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter, which has a 9.2 rating and is 1.4 km from Phillips Exeter Trail. This hotel is very family-friendly, offering free cribs, sofa beds, and connecting rooms, along with a pool. Guests can enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Many guests have praised the comfortable and clean rooms, as well as the friendly and helpful staff.


The Exeter Inn, rated 9.0, is also conveniently located 1.4 km from Phillips Exeter Trail. This hotel provides complimentary continental breakfast, free toiletries, and free Wi-Fi. Families will appreciate the availability of highchairs for children and travel cribs. Guests frequently mention the nice and clean rooms and the absolutely amazing and helpful staff.

The best time to visit Exeter is during the warmer months, from late spring (May) through early autumn (October), to fully enjoy the outdoor activities and local events.


May and June offer pleasant temperatures, typically ranging from 15°C to 25°C, making it ideal for exploring the town on foot or enjoying a picnic by the Squamscott River. The trees are green, and the air is fresh. This period is particularly good for couples who enjoy scenic walks and exploring historic architecture without the peak summer crowds.


September and October are also wonderful, as the weather remains mild, and the New England foliage transforms into spectacular colours. Average temperatures are around 10°C to 20°C. This is a fantastic time for solo travellers interested in photography or simply appreciating the natural beauty of the region, perhaps with a visit to the Phillips Exeter Academy campus to admire its historic buildings amidst the autumn leaves.


While July and August are the warmest months, with temperatures often exceeding 25°C, they also bring more tourists.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, although it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if cancelled within 24 to 48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to ‘My Trips’ and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by ‘Fully refundable property’ for hotels in Exeter.

One Key™—Expedia’s free travel rewards programme—gives you instant access to discounts with Member Prices on Exeter hotels. Plus, you’ll earn OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings to use on future trips. Booking an Expedia hotel and flight package is another great way to save, where bundling can result in significant savings. *Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Prices for hotels in Exeter often vary, but you can find a great deal from NZ$127 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by ‘Price: low to high’ for our cheapest rates.