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.
Reviews
8.48.4 out of 10
Very good
Popular amenities
24/7 front desk
Connecting rooms available
Bar
Pet friendly
Main amenities (12)
Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Self parking
24-hour room service
Meeting rooms
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Front-desk safe
Snack bar/deli
Water dispenser
Laundry service
Feel at home (6)
Children stay free
Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Private bathroom
Television
Terrace
Daily housekeeping
$112 nightly
The total price is $135
$135 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
Total includes taxes and fees
Room options
Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms
View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed (Standard King)
Standard Room, 1 King Bed (Standard King)
9.29.2 out of 10
Wonderful
9 reviews
(9 reviews)
Highlights
Connecting rooms available
TV
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower/tub combination
Bathrobes
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
226 sq ft
Sleeps 3
1 King Bed
View all photos for Suite, 1 Double Bed (Deluxe Suite)
Suite, 1 Double Bed (Deluxe Suite)
8.08.0 out of 10
Very good
10 reviews
(10 reviews)
Highlights
Connecting rooms available
TV
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower/tub combination
Bathrobes
Coffee/tea maker
322 sq ft
1 bedroom
Sleeps 4
1 Double Bed
View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double)
Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double)
8.88.8 out of 10
Excellent
20 reviews
(20 reviews)
Highlights
Connecting rooms available
TV
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower/tub combination
Bathrobes
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
266 sq ft
Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed
View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Double Bed (Deluxe Four Poster)
Oxfordshire Pantry, Blenheim Palace - 10 min walk
The Royal Sun - 4 min drive
The Punch Bowl - 3 min walk
The Killingworth Castle - 6 min drive
Costa Express - 7 min drive
About this property
Macdonald Bear Hotel
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.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Spanish
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.
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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Macdonald Bear Hotel Reviews
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.More informationOpens in a new window
9.0/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Amenities
8.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Room
Breakfast
Service staff
Location
Restaurant
Food
Parking
Drinks
Bar
Bathroom
What guests liked
Breakfast was consistently described as delicious, good, and excellent with a wide variety of choices. (22 reviews)
The property's restaurant served delicious meals with a good choice of options, including breakfast and evening meals. (3 reviews)
On-site parking is a convenient and great option for guests. (7 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Reviews
8/10 Good
Jul 28, 2025
Lovely historic hotel building and town.
David
David, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Jul 27, 2025
enjoyable stay
Andrew
Andrew, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 12, 2025
Stunning 700year old hotel
Quirky layout full of history and mystery
Beautiful big bed, clean and spacious room
Tim
Tim, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 10, 2025
This is a friendly hotel that makes you feel at home. Highly recommend!
Gui-Qiang George
Gui-Qiang George, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Aug 5, 2025
Recommendable for a stay in Oxford as alternative to highly expensive hotels in the city. Blenheim Palace directly in front of the door and the charming small city centre of Woodstock. Staff very friendly and helpful. Menu could be improved but in general okay.
Robert
Robert, 3-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 13, 2025
Great location in the heart of the old town and within 100 mtrs of public footpath access into Blenheim Park.
Room was on ground floor and was clean and comfortable.
Service at breakfast was first class with well trained attentive staff
Convenient on site parking.
Robert
Robert, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jun 4, 2025
Just enjoyed my stay
adam
adam, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jul 14, 2025
All staff very friendly and helpful
Been several times before and will continue to visit when in the area
STEVEN
STEVEN, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Jun 13, 2025
Great location. Clean, tidy and comfortable
Troy
Troy, 3-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Apr 19, 2025
Great place really central and the room was lovely
Neil
Neil, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Jul 17, 2025
The property was stunning.
Unfortunately the key card stopped working a few times. Not usually an issue but we were at the very top floor so lots of steps back and forth.
Breakfast was lovely and breakfast waiting staff were very friendly.
It was ideal location to walk around to Blenheim Palace.
Tanya Bernadette
Tanya Bernadette, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
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
6/10 Okay
Jul 29, 2025
We stayed in a suite room 47 which has a separate living space to the bedroom. Bedroom was lovely, however there is zero WIFI access in the bedroom. The cold water tap makes a loud whistling noise when turned on. Both issues probably need a solution, especially the WIFI. This is our 3rd stay at the hotel. Previously our room was out in the courtyard and if we were to stay again this would be the preference
Jesse
Jesse, 1-night trip
6/10 Okay
Jul 15, 2025
We stayed at the Bear about 20 years ago and returned for a birthday celebration. The hotel is looking very tired and well past the time for a refurbishment. The service was ok but we needed to prompt them to get our room cleaned after 2.00 pm and to take our breakfast order. Disappointed over all.
Paul
Paul, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Apr 22, 2025
Nice three night stay at The Bear with an upgrade to a lovely spacious room which was welcome. Breakfast was quite good also. Right in the heart of Woodstock and next door to Blenheim Palace so very good location.
Robert
Robert, 3-night trip
6/10 Okay
Jul 20, 2025
Check in staff honestly could not be bothered. Hastily given directions to room only when asked. We were not told the air con system didn’t work. Coming down to breakfast the wait staff were all sat on the stairs near the bottom. This was our second stay. We loved it two years ago but the staff are letting the place down now.
Kathryn
Kathryn, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
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
8/10 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
6/10 Okay
Jun 21, 2025
Reception was frosty. Room advertised as 4 poster on Expedia and was a small double attic room. Room hot and blinds didn’t keep out sun. Staff in restaurant were good. Expensive for room quality and service. Parking on street. Location good.
Dominic
Dominic, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Mar 13, 2025
Characterful property in Woodstock. Lovely staff and spacious rooms.
Sarmjit
Sarmjit, 2-night trip
6/10 Okay
Jun 2, 2025
Hotel was okay. Not the cleanest - but still nice. Room was boiling and couldn't cool it down, so was hard to sleep. However. Staff were lovely and food was okay.
Aaron
Aaron, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
Feb 13, 2025
Historic hotel
Historic hotel and fruendly and helpful staff
mrs
mrs, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
Apr 29, 2025
Lovely Room, Great Location
We had room 6 which was lovely, we ate in the hotel and the meal was very good but the restaurant was very quiet. Breakfast was good, lots of choices on the continental side as well as a decent selection of cooked. There were also vegan alternatives for dairy products at breakfast. The staff were friendly and helpful. We had a really lovely 2 night stay in Woodstock.
John
John, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
Apr 2, 2025
A gem
Friendly hotel in charming period building. Rooms are a good size