In the heart of Oxfordshire, Macdonald Bear Hotel offers an upscale retreat. Savor a delicious meal at The Restaurant, relax on the tranquil terrace or connect with in-room WiFi. Previous guests rave about the helpful staff who make your stay even more special.
At Macdonald Bear Hotel, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Blenheim Palace and University of Oxford. The bar is a great place to grab a drink, and guests looking for a bite to eat can check out The Restaurant, which serves British cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other highlights at this eco-certified hotel include a snack bar/deli and a terrace. Fellow travelers say good things about the helpful staff and overall property condition.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
54 rooms
Arranged over 3 floors
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Express check-out available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
DONE
Special check-in instructions
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
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 midnight please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests checking in after 11 PM will need to ring the bell for check-in assistance upon arrival.
DONE
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
DONE
Children
Up to 2 children (12 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cribs (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
Pets allowed*
Service animals welcome
Restrictions apply*
Food and water bowls available
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Uncovered onsite self parking (GBP 5 per day)
Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
Onsite parking limited
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Full breakfast (surcharge) each morning 8 AM–10 AM
The Restaurant - This fine-dining restaurant specializes in British cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and light fare. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
The Churchill Lounge - This bar specializes in British cuisine and serves lunch, dinner, and light fare.
Awards and affiliations
Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Tourism Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Full breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately GBP 26.00 per person
Renovations and closures
The following facilities or services will be unavailable from August 27 2025 to August 28 2025 (dates subject to change):
One of the bars/lounges
One of the dining venues
Breakfast
Daily housekeeping
Laundry facilities
Meeting facilities
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of GBP 15.00 per pet, per night
Parking
Uncovered self parking costs GBP 5 per day
Policies
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards on site.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.
Also known as
Bear Macdonald
Macdonald Bear
Macdonald Bear Hotel
Macdonald Bear Hotel Woodstock
Macdonald Bear Woodstock
Bear Hotel Uk Woodstock
Bear Hotel Woodstock
Hotel Macdonald Bear
Macdonald Bear Hotel Hotel
Macdonald Bear Hotel Woodstock
Macdonald Bear Hotel Hotel Woodstock
Frequently asked questions
Does Macdonald Bear Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Macdonald Bear Hotel 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 to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Macdonald Bear Hotel?
Yes, pets are welcome. There's a charge of GBP 15.00 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees. Food and water bowls are available. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
Is parking offered on site at Macdonald Bear Hotel?
Yes. Self parking costs GBP 5 per day. Parking spots may be limited.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Macdonald Bear Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Check-out time is 11 AM. Express check-out and contactless check-in and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Macdonald Bear Hotel and nearby?
Recommended spots to visit include Oxfordshire Museum (1-min walk) and Blenheim Palace (12-min walk).
Are there restaurants at or near Macdonald Bear Hotel?
Yes, The Restaurant offers British cuisine. One of the dining venues will be unavailable from August 27 2025 to August 28 2025 (dates subject to change).
What's the area around Macdonald Bear Hotel like?
Macdonald Bear Hotel is in the heart of Woodstock, a short 12-minute walk from Blenheim Palace.
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Reviews
Macdonald Bear Hotel Reviews
8.4
Very Good
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.
9.0
Cleanliness
9.6
Location
8.6
Staff & service
7.6
Eco-friendliness
8.4
Property conditions & facilities
What guests liked
Breakfast was consistently described as delicious, good, and excellent with a wide variety of choices. (22 reviews)
On-site parking is a convenient and great option for guests. (7 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Room
Breakfast
Service staff
Location
Restaurant
Food
Bar
Drinks
Parking
Bathroom
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 26, 2025
Lovely hotel. Calm pleasant atmosphere and
Frantz
Frantz, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 4, 2025
Just enjoyed my stay
adam
adam, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 2, 2025
Room was clean n spacious, staff were welcoming and friendly, food and drinks were delicious, good car parking space
Kully Singh
Kully Singh, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jul 23, 2025
The Bear is not only an institution, it’s a beautiful example
Michael
Michael, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 30, 2025
Impromptu trip away. Booked last minute. Hotel perfect location for exploring Oxfordshire and Cotswolds. Room was spacious and had everything needed for our stay. Staff friendly and very helpful
Verified traveler
2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 21, 2025
Bear Hotel Woodstock
Staff were very polite and friendly. We were lucky to receive a nice upgrade. The breakfast was excellent.
Barry
Barry, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 29, 2025
Fantastic location, friendly staff, lovely room.
We spent one night here with our dog - who was very pleased to have been provided with his own bed! Everything was excellent - the room was wonderfully clean with nice additions (water in the fridge, coffee, slippers & gowns etc. ), fantastic location, just round the corner from Blenheim Palace and right in the centre of town. Lovely breakfast in the morning and the staff were all lovely, friendly and helpful.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 13, 2025
Great location
Lovely quirky old hotel, in a great location for Blenheim Palace. (Side gate to the estate is 100m down the road!)
Christine
Christine, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 15, 2025
Really enjoyable break - only recommendation would be maybe install air con in the rooms - we did stay over the hottest week of the year so far & it was extremely warm in the room
Helen
Helen, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
Aug 1, 2025
Hotel rather tired since we last visited, very noisy coming from room above
Sheila
Sheila, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 4, 2025
Great location
Nice room. Comfortable bed. Both kettle and coffee maker available with biscuits! Bottled water in fridge. Quiet and great location on main high street. Plenty of parking. Staff polite, friendly and helpful.
Diane
Diane, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 12, 2025
Convenient location in Woodstock
The Park suite we had was very comfortable with enough space for us as we had large luggages. It was also convenient to walk around the lovely Woodstock town and also so convenient to walk to Blenheim Palace which is a huge plus. Will definitely stay again if we go to Woodstock or Oxford.
Fiona
Fiona, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 12, 2025
Very enjoyable but could be cooler!
Good food, minimal parking, top end prices but you’re paying for the location.
Hot room but fan provided and not sure they’d get planning for air con units on their historic building. Should consider portable air con units in rooms on very hot days.
Robert
Robert, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 19, 2025
Great place really central and the room was lovely
Neil
Neil, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 25, 2025
Woodstock
Had a very enjoyable stay. The staff were very friendly and the hotel was very clean. The room was very comfortable and had everything you needed. The breakfast was very nice. Would definately stay again.
Joanne
Joanne, 1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Aug 31, 2025
no hot water!
Very poor as I had no hot (or warm water) during my 24hr stay.
I was asked to wait for maintenance in my room, which wasted two hours of my time and resulted in nothing; as a result, I was unable to shave or shower.
I was offered a derisory 20% discount.
Peter
Peter, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 10, 2025
Clean, comfortable and quiet.
Very Poor signal for the TV.
ChanBua
ChanBua, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 15, 2025
A hotel close to Blenheim Palace
We have stayed here several times , it’s in the heart of Woodstock in a prime position to visit Blenheim Palace , lovely stay as always
Karen
Karen, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
May 26, 2025
Good location
The hotel is in a great location. Our room was small during this trip, but the bed was comfortable. The staff at reception were pleasant, though I felt they could have been a bit warmer and friendlier.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 28, 2025
Jewel of the Cotswolds
Lovely hotel in a great location.
Met with friends for a weekend, lovely rooms. Good food in the restaurant. Had breakfast and dinner.
Great service from Jose in the bar!
Richard
Richard, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 5, 2025
Great stay at the Bear
Perfect location for our trip to Blenheim for a special birthday. The room had a lovely cottage feel to it. Value for money, all the staff were helpful and pleasant. Would definitely visit again.
Shirley
Shirley, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 31, 2024
Great stay.
Tracey
Tracey, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 23, 2025
Stunning old building
Beautiful property and a lovely room in the eves with a lounge.
Bar closed early though.
Breakfast cooked perfectly and was great for vegan and meat eaters.
Perfect position in Town
Michael
Michael, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
May 11, 2025
Overall very good experience with good staff and nice accommodation. Minor grumble, the double bed sizes can vary ( ours was v small), our daughters room which was the same level as ours was a lot larger.
miles
miles, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 23, 2025
Charming room and very quiet as well as convenient for the town.