The Bear Hotel

Hotels
Eviivo
8.2 (135 reviews)
Market Place, Wantage, England, OX12 8AB , Wantage , GB

Facilities

Free breakfast
Birdwatching nearby
Free WiFi
24-hour front desk
Garden
Luggage storage
Elevator
Free breakfast
Smoke-free property
Wedding services
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good location
Excellent food
Cons:
Noisy environment
Uncomfortable beds
Dated facilities

Categories

Cleanliness
5.85
Several mentions of unclean rooms and dated bathrooms.
Service
9.35
Staff were often noted as friendly and helpful.
Location
9.35
Good location mentioned repeatedly.
Room Quality
6.35
Many rooms described as dated and uncomfortable, but some guests were satisfied.
Amenities
8.85
Hotel had good food and bar facilities.
Value for Money
7.85
Some guests felt the price did not match the quality experienced.
Food and Beverage
8.85
Breakfast and other meals received positive remarks.
Overall Experience
8.35
Experience was mixed; some enjoyed their stay while others had significant issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 02:40

Property Description

Garden Views and Modern Amenities - Take in the beautiful garden views while enjoying complimentary wireless internet and convenient wedding services.

Delectable Dining Options - Indulge in a satisfying meal at the hotel's restaurant and sip on your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Start your day right with a complimentary breakfast.

Convenient Facilities - Benefit from amenities like complimentary wired internet access, a computer station, and a 24-hour front desk for all your needs.

To immerse yourself in comfort and convenience, book your stay at The Bear Hotel today.

Important information:

  • This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
  • A car is not required for transportation to and from this property.
  • The property is professionally cleaned.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: LHR

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • General

    Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer

  • General

    Bed sheets and towels are washed at a temperature of at least 60°C/140°F

  • General

    Property is cleaned with disinfectant

  • Health & Safety

    Property uses a professional cleaning service

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

8.2
Based on 135 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.85
Service: 9.35
Location: 9.35
Room Quality: 6.35
Amenities: 8.85
Value for Money: 7.85
Food and Beverage: 8.85
Overall Experience: 8.35
G
Graeme
8
Pros:

good breakfast - diverse

2025-10-07 via Nuitee
M
Mike
8
Pros:

Bar was busy which gave it a warm and lively atmosphere and is a positive, not negative. The food and service was good. Only comment was 10% gratuity added to the food bill which i didnt notice at the time, the service was good but I prefer the option of adding a thanks rather it just being automatically added.

2025-10-05 via Nuitee
I
Ian
10
Pros:

Lovely

2025-10-05 via Nuitee
B
Brian
8
Very good overall
Pros:

Everything was very good, comfy bed, nice and quiet, strong shower and nice and clean.
Although the rooms are starting to look a bit tired and could do with updating.

2025-10-05 via Nuitee
B
Brett
4
Won’t stay again
Pros:

Was ok but the staff were loud and loads of swearing and banging till midnight!

2025-10-02 via Nuitee
J
Jeanne Behnke
8
Pros:

Typical old English hotel with an excellent restaurant and a great bar! Rooms are small but cozy. We enjoyed our stay. Thanks to The Bear!

2025-10-01 via Nuitee
J
Joana Sofia
8
Pros:

Good hotel with great breakfast.

2025-09-17 via Nuitee
D
David
4
Pros:

Very very noisy
Bed very uncomfortable

2025-09-03 via Nuitee
P
Peter
10
Pros:

Nice room. Good breakfast. Overall great!

2025-08-25 via Nuitee
W
Wickets
10
Pros:

Staff where fantastic

2025-08-04 via Nuitee
D
Diana partner
6
Pros:

Staff and food excellent. Hotel is looking tired and shabby.
our room was in the courtyard and proved to be noisey at night.

2025-08-03 via Nuitee
E
Emil
6
Pros:

Mostly ok. Comfortable single bed and good breakfast and customer service. Bathroom had no windows and therefore relies on extractor fan, which was not working. A bit more space would have been nice,. The property has been converted into what looks like too many rooms, but that's business I suppose.

2025-08-03 via Nuitee
S
Sarah family
6
Pros:

The rooms were dated, the ceiling bowing and holes in it, mentioned it to staff who dismissed it, saying they knew. The shower doors did not close and the bathroom was overall very dated and not particularly clean. There was a fan in the room (needed as it was hot) it was covered in dust and would not stay upright. Overall not particularly impressed with the stay

2025-07-26 via Nuitee
I
Ian
8
Pros:

The room was perfect for our needs and the hotel had a restaurant and bar so everything we needed. The food was excellent and the service was also really good.

2025-07-20 via Nuitee
D
DAVID
10
Great stay!
Pros:

From the off, when the receptionist greeted us so warmly, we had a perfect stay. Wish we'd dined in, but hope to be back and do that another time. Breakfast and waiting staff were excellent.

2025-07-20 via Nuitee
S
Sherry
6
Not the best
Pros:

The hotel itself was fine. We had a drink on the bar and there are lots of places to relax. Unfortunately our room (no 8) was extremely hot. We had both windows open but it didn’t seem to make any difference. This also meant that we heard all the people leaving the pub and immediate areas until approx 0230-0245. When we were finally able to doze off we were woken up at 0350 by the tradesmen starting to set up for the market in the morning. Whilst I appreciate that the hotel cannot directly affect these things had I known I would not have booked to be honest. The room was clean but needs an update. The bathroom sink tap was loose and the shower does not keep consistent temperature. The bathroom was very tired. When we went to check out in the morning there was no one on reception to let know of these problems. We had to leave to get on our way. Such a shame but from our experience we wouldn’t go back.

2025-07-19 via Nuitee
S
sarah
10
Pros:

Very helpful staff, nice location

2025-07-17 via Nuitee
A
Amancio
10
Pros:

Very good

2025-07-09 via Nuitee
J
Julian
10
Pros:

Good location. Friendly staff.

2025-07-09 via Nuitee
R
rupert
4
Pros:

Not one for posting reviews, but this was pretty bad. Firstly the staff were lovely and this doesn't reflect on them at all. Room 24. Go have a look. The room is tired but the bathroom is apocolyptic. Last upgraded about 40 years ago, light switch is illegal, shower head holder snapped off, water so hot that you cannot add enough cold to make it usable and the water stinks. Prob crap in the water tank. The silicone around all surfaces must have been done with a knife and fork or possibly with a blindfold on. I'm not really exaggerating either. The three cups we had on the tea station were coated in dried detergent (that you couldn't see) leading to 2 cups of tea being thrown and a day of soap suddy mouths. The room was hot, but that's not really anyone's fault. But having the windows open just meant we had to listen to a rowdy crowd doing coke and drinking just outside the window. Bed was comfy. Sheets were smelly. In the morning, someone had distributed the days clean sheets for the changeover leaving them outside each room on the filthy carpet. My oh my. The cheek to charge £100 for this.... Never again thanks. I have photos and a video of you want them.

2025-07-07 via Nuitee