The Bear Hotel

The Bear is on the High Street of a small, pretty town. It has oodles of period charm with a great choice of public spaces from tables for drinks outside the main entrance to courtyard bar seating, a number of cosy bars inside and an extraordinary restaurant with glass walls on all 4 sides surrounded by large displays of flowers. Restaurant service was quick, efficient and friendly and the food excellent from a limited Sunday menu. Our room was as expected; clean, tidy and reasonably spacious with a good sized bathroom with bath, shower and adequate toiletries although I would have liked to have seen Conditioner. We overlooked the hotel's vast car-park which was not busy and so we were not disturbed. Breakfast was served in a bistro across the street from the hotel and was excellent. This. is a 3* hotel punching well above its weight - we left with a clear view that real thought goes into making the most of the hotel for the benefit of its guests and we would have no hesitation in staying there again.

A larger menu choice on Sunday.

The location was central to our week in Wales. I know the area well because I grew up in South Wales. Breakfast was across the road at Pennyfarthings and was first rate with a choice of traditional cooked or continental. The coffee's excellent. Pennyfarthings also do good lunches which we didn't try, and afternoon tea which we did - great cake! It's a shame that they close at 4pm which in our family is just on "tea-time". Dinner in the Bear was pretty good, too, but we'd have preferred to have eaten it in their restaurant rather than the bar or lounge area. We prefer to sit up at a table. The beer's good and you can get a decent glass of wine. Our room was quiet with excellent blackout blinds. The big double bed was very comfortable and we slept well. The car park at the rear of the hotel is large and has a coded barrier. All the staff were friendly, cheerful, polite and helpful.

As previously mentioned, we would have preferred to have had dinner in the restaurant in the evening, rather than the lounge or bar.

We were moved to a two bedroom apartment due to our room not being available on arrival. The apartment was spacious and had a car parking space outside the front door. We had dinner at the Hotel restaurant which was 2 minutes walk, while a good cooked breakfast was provided at the cafe across the street. Staff were all very friendly and helpful.

On arrival, we had some difficulty in finding our way to the Hotel car park which is located at the rear of the property. However, we had a car parking space just outside our apartment which was great.

Breakfast was excellent however service exceptionally poor. We did not know that we were having breakfast in Oenny Farthing which was no issue but they gave us tea and coffee and half hour later we chased for someone to take order for breakfast. The waiter half listened and walked off resulting in us having to re order. Shame as only 3 tables including ours one of which had been served and 4 staff. Also we booked cellar restaurant for dinner which we love but was closed and we were in bar so all a bit odd

Breakfast service and location and updated info on where we had our evening meal

T The apartment was comfortable, clean and well equipped and the welcome pack of breakfast was a lovely idea and very helpful.

The breakfast was at Penny Farthings and as we were staying in an apartment we paid extra for breakfast and to be honest one day was ok, another was dry and stale. After the latter we didnt go back. We loved the open space outside the apartment but it could do with a tidy up and made to look more welcoming

I've been travelling to Cardiff on business for years... years. I always stay at the same hotel in the town centre because I just like it, the staff are great, the service great, it's in the town and basically it's great and I've stayed in just about every room!. But this is the hot July 2022, Cardiff, graduation week, 3 year post Covid catch up, no room at the inn, not a one! So Booking.com and the bear at Cowbridge... mmm it looks nice, but I like where I stay, I'm sad! And then I get to the Bear at Cowbridge (I've been to Cowbridge before it's a beautiful village about 10 miles from the town centre). I'm greeted by a bright beaming smile (it's 11PM!), my key is ready, a slip with everything I need.. car park code (car park, the street outside is ok until 10am, but a car park is always better!). Through the fantastic, traditional looking pub/restaraunt I jaunt, past the glass enclosed, yes class restaraunt where a group of lovely staff guide me to the correct door.. perfect, no hassle! To the room, wow! fantastic, large, airy, great firm bed.. I mean a great bed... which is what I asked for. Hot chocolate, biscuits, more biscuits. I like!! And to the best nights sleep I've ever had away... quiet, comfy, dark.. perfect! To the morning and the bathroom is huge, powerfull and hot shower, the toileries smell fantastic... I mean awesome! And to breakfast... across the street to the Penny Farthing Cafe (included in my price). Looks nice, think I've been for cake before. And this is a breakfast, the best breakfast I've ever had! I'm on a diet but full cooked it is... and this is not a greasy heavy breakfast... just right for me, local high quality sausage, best poached egg etc, toast and great coffee.. The best breakfast! 1 complaint, the carrott cake is my weakness and I had to buy that piece for lunch, it was just so good looking, and tasted great!

I did not like that I was late to the hotel and did not get to eat there, but I will next time!, and it was my fault for being sad at changing hotels; more open minded next time!! The revellers I saw looked more than happy, and those I did ask raved about the food they had had.

The hotel was beautifully presented, cosy and welcoming. We stayed in a separate annex which totally exceeded our expectations, we absolutely loved it! We had a large open plan sitting area and bedroom, there was a freestanding bath, shower and separate toilet. The room was so clean, decorated beautifully and the staff had also arranged for a bottle of prosecco as we were staying for my boyfriend’s birthday😊 we cant wait to come back!

Hotel was fine, but wi-fi didnt work and room window wouldnt lock (meaning wind kept blowing it open). If it was more than one night I wouldve asked to move. Location is quiet and peaceful, but relatively limited in things to do; last orders are 11pm, lunch places closing at 1pm etc. Im on o2 Mobile network and couldnt get a signal at all.

Relatively limited in things to do; last orders are 11pm, lunch places closing at 1pm etc. Im on o2 Mobile network and couldnt get a signal at all. Taxi to Cardiff £80 return.

The hotel was lovely, the restaurant and reception were beautiful and we liked the cube. the room was large and spacious, warm and cozy. No outside noise after 10:30pm which was amazing given how busy you were

Very creaky floorboards in the bedroom, felt very self conscious moving around. The bathroom looked smart but had mould on the shower screen and taps were very stiff. Mattress was comfortable but pillows were awful, like two bricks. Felt unsafe from 9pm onwards till around 1030pm, too many people in the cube and no SIA presence. Poor receptionist looked harassed and couldn’t offer service as she was constantly opening the front door to throw people out. Very small breakfast for price and bacon and sausage undercooked.

As a venue and location for our needs it was very good. The overall feel of the hotel and village was excellent. We will without doubt be using the Bear Hotel in the future. We loved the breakfast arrangement it made you feel integrated within the community.

Nothing to do with the Hotel but on booking our room online, I thought we had upgraded the room in comparison to the one we had. But the accommodation we did get, was very good and didn't in anyway effect our stay.