The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
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The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast

Traveller (70)
The view from room 3
Room & Suite (13)
Dining (11)

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About

5.0
#3 of 5 B&Bs in Bowmore
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
The Island Bear bed and breakfast is an ideal place to stay on your visit to Islay. Centrally located on Shore Street in Bowmore it is easy to find and is perfectly positioned for all the necessary holiday conveniences. The Island Bear is open all year. The Island Bear is not big but we feel this enables us to give you more individual attention. We have 3 en-suite bedrooms - two doubles and one twin/double, and a large dining and lounge room which gives you plenty of room to enjoy your breakfast or relax in comfort after a busy day.
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Property amenities
Free public parking nearby
Free internet
Wifi
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Bowling offsite
Non-smoking hotel
Private check-in / check-out
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Special diet menus
Fishing
Room features
Air purifier
Private bathrooms
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Modern

Location

Shore Street, Bowmore PA43 7LB Scotland
97Reviews1Q+A23Room tips

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
mharris928 wrote a review Aug 2021
Colchester, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
What a fantastic B&B! Absolutely nothing to grumble about here. The room size was more than adequate. Comfy bed and spotlessly clean everywhere. We had a key to the main door so could come and go any time of day. Decor is fresh and modern and very well maintained.

Perfectly situated in Bowmore, right in the centre and less than two minutes walk away from the sea, the main shop on the island (Co Op) and pretty much every restaurant in the small town. Also a minute walk from the nearest EV charger if you need one as we did.

The real highlight of the Island Bear though is Duncan and Fiona. They are brilliant hosts, serving a fab Scottish breakfast alongside some great conversation. They are incredibly helpful and gave us lots of good advice and were perfectly happy to answer our many nosey questions about their lives. If we’d had more time on the island we’d have liked to have spent more time socialising with them. Lovely people!

This was our first visit to Islay and in retrospect Bowmore is definitely the most central location to drive out to the distilleries and sights around the island, with the convenience of being able to walk to restaurants etc in the evening. When we return we will definitely book here again. We just hope Duncan & Fiona haven’t carried out their threat to buy a campervan and travel the world.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: EV charger (Chargeplace Scotland) a minute walk away in the car park. Largest shop on the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 23 Aug 2021
Thank you for this excellent review, it really is much appreciated. We are so pleased to hear that you both enjoyed your time on Islay and wish to return. We enjoyed meeting you both and would be delighted to welcome you back anytime. See you next time you visit Islay Kind regards Fiona &Duncan
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Scotsmidge wrote a review Aug 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Spent 3 nights here in July when my daughter and I enjoyed a return to Islay after many years. Booked quite late so were lucky to find the twin room free. Friendly welcome, comfortable room with plenty of space, a large bathroom and excellent breakfast. We ordered this the night before as we couldn't have eaten everything Fiona offers. As it was the high season, bookings to eat out in the evening were difficult to find (Covid restrictions didn't help) so Fiona was happy for us to collect a Chinese takeaway and eat in the breakfast room.
The Bear is in the centre of Bowmore so very convenient for everything round about, and although it does not have private parking, our car was perfectly safe on the street. We would be very happy to return and would certainly recommend this B & B.
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Date of stay: July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 23 Aug 2021
Thank you for the excellent review, it much appreciated. We are so pleased you both enjoyed your time on Islay. It makes our day to hear that our guests enjoy their time on Islay and intend to return to our beautiful Island. Kind regards Fiona & Duncan
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Blackham21 wrote a review Jun 2021
Dunoon, Scotland, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed in a twin room which was spacious and immaculate. The B & B was tastefully decorated throughout with a good mix of traditional with modern. A good choice of breakfast was on offer with local produce being used. Proprietors were very friendly and attentive. Would definitely recommend.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 6 Jul 2021
Thank you for your excellent review, it is really appreciated. We are so pleased you enjoyed stay with us. Kind regards Fiona & Duncan
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Jacqueline W wrote a review Sept 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
our first visit to Islay and won't be our last, we (I) had wanted to visit for many years and the opportunity presented itself early June this year. Having no previous experience to go on, we vied for The island Bear, we were not disappointed, the hosts, Fiona and Duncan are such lovely and welcoming hosts, nothing is too much trouble for them. The property is well maintained, extremely comfortable and central in Bowmore which meant that travelling round the island was easy, everywhere we needed to travel to was no more than 45 minutes of our base, our board was b and b, and can honestly say, we had the pick of any breakfast we wanted during our 4 night stay, we don't usually do b & b but glad we did, as we got to meet a wonderful couple, and, unlike traditional b and b's, we didn't need to leave our room in the morning and return in the evening, everything was so very relaxed, we could come and go as we pleased, if visiting Islay, please do make a point of staying here
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Date of stay: June 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 6 Oct 2021
Thank you for taking the time to write a review Jacqueline, it is much appreciated. We are so pleased you both enjoyed your first visit to Islay so much that you intend to return again. We would be delighted to welcome you back anytime. Kind regards Fiona
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Billy M wrote a review Sept 2021
Glasgow, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
If you're already looking at the Island Bear for your trip to Islay then I suggest you just go ahead and book it if you can.
This is a spotless, modern looking B&B right in the heart of Bowmore. I doubt it took us 5 minutes to walk anywhere in the village with all the restaurants and shops extremely close by. Really comfy bed, great shower/bath and nothing lacking in terms of facilities.
What makes this B&B though are the hosts, Fiona and Duncan. We only ever really had the pleasure of speaking to them during breakfast but it made a great start to our day as they both took a lot of time to chat to us and talk about Bowmore and the island in particular. They were able to answer any questions we had. As well as all that the breakfasts were superb and more than enough to fuel a morning's adventuring. There was a problem with the ferries while we were there and their willingness to go above and beyond to help us out if needed was so appreciated. Thank you to you both and we hope to see you again soon. Billy & Marjorie.
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Date of stay: September 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 23 Sept 2021
Thank you for taking the time to write a review, we really appreciate your kind words. We were delighted to hear that you both enjoyed your time on Islay and, dispite the Calmac ferry disruptions, intend a return trip. We enjoyed your company and would be delighted to welcome you back to Islay. Kind regards Fiona &Duncan
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Waxmaniac wrote a review May 2023
1.0 of 5 bubbles
We were not able to travel for our initial booking due to the pandemic. We had paid 73 pounds deposit. Fiona sent us a mail asking whether she should send the money back or she could keep it for a future booking. Because we intended to travel as soon as it would be safe again and because it was a very challenging time for hotels we let her keep it. In July 2022 I contacted her again to arrange a booking for our May 2023 trip to Islay. Fiona responded stating that she will transfer our deposit to the new booking and offering 2 alternative rooms. I wrote back clearly stating which room we want to take. However, attached to her mail was a form that I did not fill out. In January 2023 she wrote a mail asking whether we still wanted to come to Islay because she had rented all rooms to a large group. I couldn´t believe that she gave the room to somebody else without getting in touch. When I found another B&B and asked her to send my deposit back she said that she would rather forward it to our new B&B because of high fees for the bank transfer. Even though this clearly was not my problem I agreed and send her the name of the new B&B. Afterwards, she just kept the money and when I reached out again in May 2023 she stated that she had just found my mail in the junk folder. Also, she wrote that she didn´t have any contact details and could not forward the money. I could pick it up at her B&B. When I responded that this wasn´t acceptable to me she wrote that she can send me the money but would deduct 10punds fee from her side. After many mails I received just 31.44 of the 73 pounds I had paid in my bank account. I sent Fiona a mail asking for the rest to which she responed that she deducted 10 pounds for her effort and that the rest was banking fees. OUTRAGEOUS!!! I am sure she wouldn´t accept any guest just paying half the prize and claiming the rest was taken by the bank. Don´t book at the Islay Bear! I sure won´t ever again!
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Date of stay: May 2023
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona MacIntyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 11 Jun 2023
Thank you Beat for taking the time to write this review. We totally understand that you are not happy with the international and currency charges added by the banks, however, this is out with our control. We note your comments and believe that, unfortunately there has been a number of misunderstandings. Our Enquiry Document and Confirmation of Booking documents are used try and stop any misunderstandings occurring. Any feedback and/or improvements on the content of these documents would be very welcome. It is important to us that all our guests and visitors to Islay enjoy their time on the island and do our utmost to achieve this aim In 2021 you booked with us and paid a deposit, this booking was cancelled due to your travel difficulties, however, we were open for business on your chosen dates. Our Terms & Conditions are clearly written on our website. Refunds are subject to an admin fee and any bank charges that may occur. You were informed of this when the booking was cancelled (in 2021). At this point you were reluctant to accept the charges indicating that you were intending to come to Islay when the Covid 19 situation had resolved. A number of 2020 cancelled guests chose to rebook at a later date and left the deposit, this had worked well for all concerned, so we offered this option which was accepted. At any point, had you requested your deposit back, and on receipt of your full bank account details, on receipt of your full bank details,it would have been returned immediately. When you made an enquiry in 2022, we were aware of your deposit sitting in our accounts and was more than happy to accept this for 2023. However, this enquiry was not turned in to a confirmed booking as you failed to provide the information requested on our Enquiry document to confirm a booking, including the type of room you required At this point we could not allocate you a room and did not send you our Confirmation of Booking. It was still an enquiry. In January 2023, I was checking out all our enquiries outstanding and decided to email you to find out if you were still intending to visit Islay. Unfortunately, by this time some of the dates you chose were fully booked as we only have 3 rooms in total. Again we offered to return your deposit from your cancelled booking in 2021 but you were deemed the charges unacceptable. Due to our very central location on the A806, through Bowmore, (stones throw from Bowmore Distillery) you would most likely pass our door on various occasions. However, again this was unacceptable to you. The request we received to transfer your deposit to a third party did not include enough information, (no name or address), to make this possible. You then requested a refund to your Swiss Bank Account, again the information supplied was incomplete and eventually you provided the full details of your bank account. The amount of £63.88 (£73.88 less admin fee) was sent to your Swiss bank account. The amount received would have been due to the International Bank Fee, the exchange rate on the day and any charges your bank would have made. In conclusion, we do hope you this misunderstanding will not spoil your enjoyment of our beautiful island later this month.
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Ian M wrote a review Oct 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
my wife sue & I stayed here for 4 nights, could not have chosen better, wonderful hosts, choice of breakfast that set you up for the day of exploration (drove over 200 miles while on the island) of the scenery & investigation of where my ancestors once lived. Fiona was very helpful with my family tree research with help as to where we should visit to learn more, as well as sights to see and the wildlife to look out for; buzzards, red kites, deer & seals which we managed to see ourselves & more if you are lucky enough
highly recommended AAA+++ rating. ian & sue
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Date of stay: September 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: chose cabin 3, if you can, spacious, with lovely views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 6 Nov 2022
Hi Ian and Sue. Thank you for the excellent review, it really is appreciated. We are delighted that you both enjoyed your time on Islay and were delighted to be able to assist you with your research. It makes our day when our guests enjoyed their time on our beautiful island. We would be delighted to welcome you both back anytime. Kind regards Fiona
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Lauren D wrote a review Jul 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We booked a holiday to Islay very last minute and luckily the island bear had a room available! Fiona and Duncan were amazing hosts so friendly and chatty with plenty of advice about the best places to visit and eat at. Our twin room was very spacious, bright and clean with plenty of storage space! Fiona ensured she got our order for breakfast in plenty of time and cooked up a stormer of a fry up which I thoroughly enjoyed. Can’t recommend this place enough! Lovely place with a lovely couple who make you feel very welcome 😊 thank you both.
Lauren + orlaith
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 6 Jul 2021
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such an excellent review it is much appreciated. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time on Islay and it was a pleasure to meet you both. Kind regards Fiona & Duncan
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Greg E wrote a review Sept 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My son and I stayed for 3 days in July 2022. What a perfect location right across the street from Bowmore distillery, a whisky bottle shop, and several restaurants in the center of the town of Bowmore. Also right next to the water. Fiona and Duncan were wonderful hosts. They put out a pad for us to write on to indicate what we wanted for breakfast the next day. We had a full scottish breakfast one day and a smaller breakfast the other days. All the food was wonderful. I especially enjoyed the bread they used for toast, and of course the irish butter. wonderful. Our room was clean and the bathroom looked brand new. Our hosts provided great travel suggestions on Islay and were very helpful with info on buses, travel times etc. We would definitely visit the Island Bear again on a repeat visit.
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Date of stay: July 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 23 Sept 2022
Thank you for your kind words, it is much appreciated. We are delighted that you both enjoyed your stay and your time on Islay. We would be delighted to welcome you both again should you wish to return to Islay. Kind regards Duncan & Fiona
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bearsLaw_Lanarkshire wrote a review Jul 2021
Carluke, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We visited Islay in June on our Harley Davidson motorcycles, not knowing how bad the roads are for bikes. We were made very welcome by Fiona and Duncan, and got tips on places to visit on and off the bikes. The B&B is excellent in every way and it felt like home. We enjoyed our chats with Fiona and Duncan and they kept an eye on our bikes parked outside the whisky shop, which were 100% safe. Islay is beautiful and we will return again....by car. We would thoroughly recommend the Island Bear, one of the best B&Bs we’ve been in. Thanks again and hope you have a great summer season.
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Date of stay: June 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fiona Macintyre, Owner at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Responded 14 Jul 2021
Thank you both for the excellent review it is much appreciated. We love to hear that our guests enjoy their time on Islay it makes our day. We enjoyed your company and your lovely bikes were the centre of attraction in Bowmore especially with the youngsters. We would love to welcome you back anytime. Kind regards Fiona
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…
Jimmy M wrote a tip Sept 2023
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"The local restauants can be very busy so it's a good idea to bo before you arrive."
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Brianna B wrote a tip May 2023
2 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Make dinner reservations in advance"
Read full review
Ian M wrote a tip Oct 2022
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"chose cabin 3, if you can, spacious, with lovely views"
Read full review
Mary L wrote a tip Sept 2022
53 contributions13 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Might need earplugs for the little traffic, but loud traffic."
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mharris928 wrote a tip Aug 2021
Colchester, United Kingdom4 contributions20 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"EV charger (Chargeplace Scotland) a minute walk away in the car park. Largest shop on the island (Co-Op is just around the corner)."
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Bowmore area.
PRICE RANGE
£115 - £151 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandThe HebridesIslayBowmore
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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THE ISLAND BEAR BED AND BREAKFAST - Updated 2024 Prices, Reviews, and Photos

Frequently Asked Questions about The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast
Which popular attractions are close to The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast?
Nearby attractions include Museum of Islay Life (3.7 miles), RSPB Loch Gruinart Reserve (4.4 miles), and Islay Natural History Trust (3.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, free internet access, and bicycle rental.
What food & drink options are available at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, complimentary tea, and free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast?
Yes, free public parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast?
Conveniently located restaurants include Peatzeria, Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant, and Bridgend Hotel Restaurant.
Are there any historical sites close to The Island Bear Bed and Breakfast?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Finlaggan (7.0 miles), Kilnave Cross (7.4 miles), and Kilchoman Church (6.2 miles).