3-star Islay Island B&B steps from Bowmore Distillery
This smoke-free bed & breakfast features free breakfast and free WiFi in public areas.
The Island Bear B&B offers 3 accommodations with hair dryers and complimentary toiletries. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.
Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.
A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. A total renovation of this property was completed in February 2023.
The Island Bear B&B is a smoke-free property.
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 7:30 AM and 9 AM.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free offsite parking
Food and drink
Free full breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Things to do
Wine tasting room
Wine tours
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
On the boardwalk/promenade
Accessibility
No elevator
More
2 floors
Built in 1886
Smoke-free property
Victorian architecture
Room amenities
Bedroom
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shower/bathtub combination
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV
Food and drink
Electric kettle
Tea bags/instant coffee
More
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board on request
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
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
Access methods
Host will greet you
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
1 child can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)
Property is also known as
Island Bear Bed & Breakfast Islay Island
Island Bear Islay Island
Island Bear & Islay Island
The Island Bear Bed Breakfast
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
The Island Bear B&B Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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!
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
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!
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!
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.
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
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!
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.