At The Island Bear B&B you'll be steps from Bowmore Distillery and 4.9 km (3.1 mi) from Islay Ales. Highlights at this Victorian B&B include free daily breakfast. .This smoke-free bed & breakfast offers free WiFi in public areas. Each morning free full breakfast is offered between 7:30 AM and 9 AM. There's also the convenience of free parking nearby. .Sights within a 20-minute drive of this 3-property class Islay Island B&B include Bruichladdich Distillery and Museum of Islay Life.
Comfortable boardwalk/promenade bed & breakfast, walk to Bowmore Distillery
Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi. A complete renovation of The Island Bear B&B was completed in February 2023.
This 3-star Islay Island bed & breakfast is smoke free.
3 guestrooms or units
2 levels
Built in 1886
Full breakfast (free)
No smoking on site
The Island Bear B&B offers 3 accommodations with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.
Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Hypo-allergenic bedding and an iron/ironing board can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free offsite parking
Food and drink
Free full breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 9 AM
Things to do
Wine tasting room
Wine tours
Guest services
Daily housekeeping
Outdoors
On the boardwalk
Accessibility
No lift
More
2 floors
Built in 1886
Renovated entire property - February 2023
Smoke-free property
Victorian architecture
Room amenities
Bedroom
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shower/bathtub combination
Towels
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 and check-out are available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 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
Access methods
Host will greet you
Pets
No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Kids stay free! One child stays free when using existing bedding.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions. Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.
We should mention
One child stays free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
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
Frequently asked questions
What is the cancellation policy at The Island Bear B&B?
The Island Bear B&B offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.
Are there any beaches close to The Island Bear B&B?
The closest beach to The Island Bear B&B is Port ban (5.2 km).
What makes The Island Bear B&B a romantic place to stay?
Wine-tasting room, plus premium bedding in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at The Island Bear B&B.
Does The Island Bear B&B serve breakfast?
Yep, free full breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 9 AM.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Island Bear B&B?
No, The Island Bear B&B does not offer an airport shuttle service.
What time are check-in & check-out at The Island Bear B&B?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Are pets allowed at The Island Bear B&B?
No, only service animals are allowed.
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.
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!