Macdonald Bear Hotel

Breakfast buffet quality basic for a four star hotel. Only apple juice on offer - no OJ. Cereal - even muesli - in small bags. No granola. Avocado dish I ordered was inedible & toast it was on soggy. Coffee weak. Had to get up to go ask for a refill - staff not proactive or particularly friendly. No one seemed in charge? This breakfast experience would put me off dining there again.

Only two Nespresso capsules in room seemed bit mean for a £250 room.

WiFi poor in the room.

The hairdryer didn't work and neither did the lights in the main living room (lamp did work though so it was fine). Also, it would be good to have an information book about Woodstock in the room and info about the WiFi and onsite food menu. These are just nit picky things though!

Not much to dislike really, maybe improve the quality of the sausages at breakfast and the Tea could be hotter, it was only lukewarm seemed like the water hadn’t boiled, but overall a very comfortable stay.

As it is an old coaching inn, several hundred years old, it is 'tired' in places, but as it's an historical building in much demand this seems to add to the charm and can be forgiven.

Lack of parking, although this could be due to an event in the area, overpriced, the room was still too hot even though a fan was provided, the staff could be more professional and friendly

Staff not well trained, old fashioned, items missing from breakfast menu

They put us in a room up a very very steep flight of stairs...very dangerous.There were 2 fans on high when we entered the room as it was so hot 🔥 in there, windows hardly open and no air-conditioning

The hotel needs upgrading - some furniture was falling apart, cushions seemed grubby, shower temperature control was broken. Overall, felt faded.
Rooms need air-conditioning.

Not even a water bottle in the room — Breakfast was very poor,below standards.They had no toasted bread …no salmon and generally it was sad to see this happening.

Tired, run out of certain food and drinks from the menu, poorly trained staff

I had a call cancelling my booking on the day of my stay at 5pm. We were on the way and had an event in the evening to attend. I pushed back and staff said they would call back…..no one called back. I then phoned the hotel and they said no it’s fine we made an error. Caused a lot of panic and stress!! I had many apologies but nothing was offered to me as way of an apology.

Nothing.

Check in was 3pm, we checked in at 250pm & when we got to our room it hadn’t been fully turned around. The bed was made but that was it. Turned out at least 6 other rooms were in the same condition as we spoke to people in the courtyard. Reception said it would be done by 330 so we sat in the courtyard & had a drink. By 340 it still hadn’t been done so we decided to go out for food (Punchbowl, amazing!) The room was done when we got back!
The whole place is incredibly tired & dated. I think they’re going for quaint but it comes off as dark & dingy. We’d paid for breakfast so we went down at 845. I’m sorry to say the first thing we said is it was like Faulty Towers but without the humour. There weren’t enough staff on so they were running around here there & every where. People who’d come in before us were served after us & only when they stopped the waitress as she walked past. We order a full English & smashed avocado on toast with poached egg. We waited about 35 minutes & when it came mine, the avocado was all cold & the cooked breakfast was all over cooked. It was appalling. Needless to say we left most of it.
Overall I feel the place is really overpriced, yes the location is spot on but that’s it really.

This was like a trip back in time and felt dated and rundown. Staff in the restaurant at breakfast were the usual undoubtedly low paid and did not really care. Will someone please train restaurant staff to look at the customers rather than the floor and anything else except the customers? Nothing more frustrating than them wondering around ignoring you. I got up and went to them in the end. Breakfast was at best average and they ran out of bread and pastries by before end of service. There is a festival on so I know it is inflated prices but running out of drinks at the bar and food at breakfast is inexcusable. Paid in excess of £300 for a night and it was not worth it. Will not return. Good job the Blenheim gig was good.

No air con / mod cons. Would probably be ok in winter but not a comfortable stay mid-summer

The lack of air con, poor ventilation, poor staffing at the bar. Fridge broken. Unbearably hot.