Restaurant at Port Charlotte Hotel - 16 min drive
Kilchoman Distillery - 20 min drive
Lucci’s - 4 min walk
Kilchoman Distillery Cafe - 20 min drive
About this property
The Island Bear B&B
The Island Bear B&B is a great choice for a stay in Islay Island. Free perks include WiFi and full breakfast daily between 7:30 AM and 9 AM.
Languages
English
At a glance
Hotel size
3 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; your host will greet you
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 6 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
One child stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Free off-site parking nearby
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Free full breakfast each morning 7:30 AM–9 AM
Travelling with children
Children stay for free (see details)
What to do
Public winery tours
Facilities
Built in 1886
Wine-tasting room
Victorian architecture
Room amenities
Be entertained
Flat-screen television
Home comfort
Electric kettle
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Sleep well
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
What to enjoy
Individually furnished and decorated
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower/bath combination
Free toiletries
Hairdryer
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Free tea bags/instant coffee
More
Daily housekeeping
Fees & policies
Policies
This property does not have lifts.
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on-site.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts cash.
Cashless transactions are available.
Also known as
The Bear B&b Islay
The Island Bear Bed Breakfast
The Island Bear B&B Islay Island
The Island Bear B&B Bed & breakfast
The Island Bear B&B Bed & breakfast Islay Island
Frequently asked questions
Does The Island Bear B&B offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Island Bear B&B does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The Island Bear B&B?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at The Island Bear B&B?
No, unfortunately, but there's free parking nearby.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Island Bear B&B?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Contactless social distancing and check-out are available.
What is there to do at The Island Bear B&B and nearby?
Recommended spots to visit include Bowmore Distillery (2-min walk) and Islay Ales (3.1 mi), along with Bruichladdich Distillery (8.4 mi) and Eilean Mor (9.4 mi).
What's the area around The Island Bear B&B like?
The Island Bear B&B is located on the boardwalk, a short 2-minute walk from Bowmore Distillery.
The Island Bear B&B Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.8/10
Cleanliness
9.8/10
Staff & service
9.6/10
Amenities
9.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.8/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
11 September 2024
Property location is great for touring the Island, also central for walking around Bowmore. The room was spacious and clean. Breakfast was good with plenty on offer. Fiona and Duncan are very friendly and helpful.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
22 August 2024
KUOWEI
KUOWEI, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
14 August 2024
An excellent bnb! It was extremely clean. The bed was comfy, the room was spacious enough, and the bathroom was updated. Duncan and Fiona went out of their way to explain a lot of local history and met our every need. The breakfast was one of the most generous we encountered in Scotland.
Kathleen
Kathleen, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
10 August 2024
Duncan and Fiona were fantastic hosts so welcoming they recommended some lovely places to eat.The B&B was spotless extremely comfortable bed and a great breakfast. Could not have asked for more.
Joanne
Joanne, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
5 August 2024
Very clean, modern and spacious and at a good price. Great value for money.
Karen
Karen, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
15 April 2024
Best place to stay on Islay
The location was perfect right in the heart of Bowmore with a wonderful view. Fiona and Duncan were wonderful hosts with excellent food, wit, and charm. The room was spacious and clean with everything we could have needed.
Adam
Adam, 3-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
11 April 2024
Very cosy place, wonderful people
Irakli
Irakli, 3-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
16 September 2023
Fiona and Duncan are a ton of fun, and they make sure you're well-fed to start the day and have great local advice on how to get around Islay, especially on Sundays when the bus doesn't run. Definitely can't go wrong a The Island Bear, and the rooms are great
Josh
Josh, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
15 September 2023
Enjoyed a couple of days staying here. Rooms were very comfortable and clean. Nice breakfast.
stephen
stephen, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 November 2022
Hostess was so friendly and helpful! The room was lovely and had a great bathtub. View was beautiful from the room. Breakfast was great!
Diane
Diane, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
14 October 2022
An absolute gem with a lovely host!
We were in Islay on a whisky tour for 3 nights and absolutely loved this little three-room B&B run by Islay local, Fiona. The room was surprisingly spacious. The bed was comfy. There was a lovely view of the water. It was right on the main road in Bowmore. And breakfast was made to order each morning, and served by Fiona herself - along with lovely conversation and local tips. I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Island Bear!
Michelle
Michelle, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
11 October 2022
Fantastic place to stay in Bowmore. Great location, easy parking and not far from anything on Islay.
The room was large and very clean. The bed was comfortable and the shower had good water pressure.
Fiona, the owner, was fab! She was very friendly, welcoming and helpful! She also makes a great breakfast!
Lori
Lori, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
28 September 2022
Excellent location, very friendly, good breakfasts and lots of help with suggestions for things to do.
Mary
Mary, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
17 July 2022
We spent 3 nights at the Island Bear and it was wonderful. Duncan and Fiona were excellent hosts and helped us when we needed to make a change and bring our son with us. The room was lovely, comfortable and the breakfasts were fantastic. We’ll recommend staying here to everyone that we know traveling to Islay
Hayley
Hayley, 3-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
18 May 2022
Room was very clean, checkin was convenient, bed was comfortable, and the location was perfect. We had a nice view of the water from our room. Hosts Fiona and Duncan were very kind and helpful. Couldn’t ask for more!
Mary
Mary, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 April 2022
Lovely spot in the middle of town, great views from my bedroom window.
And Fiona was the perfect host, cooking up a delicious Scottish breakfast!
Catherine
Catherine, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
9 April 2022
An absolutely lovely stay on Islay! Duncan and Fiona are incredibly kind, and their bed and breakfast is wonderful. The rooms have a cozy feel, while still being really spacious if you’ve brought large luggage. I can’t wait to go back!
Jackalyn
Jackalyn, 5-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
11 October 2021
Fiona and David great hosts confortable room
Cozy decently sized room with comfortable bed. Fiona and David are very friendly and supportive. Location is great very close to Bowmore Distillery. Breakfast is made-to-order abd very tasty. Would definitely revommend and stay again on my next trip to Islay.
Luis Cesar
Luis Cesar, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
19 September 2021
Perfect hosts
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
William
William, 4-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
11 September 2021
Excellent BnB. Clean, modern with great service. The owners couldn’t do enough for us
Can’t fault it
Malcolm
Malcolm, 5-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
16 August 2021
Amazing B&B, thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Frances
Frances, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
30 July 2021
Lovely comfortable rooms. Great choice of breakfasts. Hosts were friendly and knowledgeable about the area - things to do, places to eat etc. Would love to go back!
Verified traveller
3-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
20 July 2021
Great stay and excellent base to discover Islay
Lovely modernised accommodation. Breakfast excellent and great hosts. It would appear Bowmore is the largest place on Islay with a few pubs and restaurants (better to book these as they can be busy) so this is a good base for touring the Island. If visiting the distilleries , buses are regular and go to most places over the island from here letting you enjoy even more.
Andrew
Andrew, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
14 June 2021
Islay paradise
Spotless, quiet room. Friendly and helpful hosts. Excellent location. Perfect "chill out" home from home.