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The Island Bear B&B

Property class: 3

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Photo gallery for The Island Bear B&B

Reception
Room
A bicycle parked in front of a building with a sign reading "KILCHOMAN."
Tasting room
A bicycle on a sandy path with a sunset in the background.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Shore Street, Bowmore, Islay Island, Scotland, PA43 7LB
  • Place, Bowmore Distillery
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, MacTaggart Leisure Centre
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Ardbeg Distillery
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Airport, Islay (ILY)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Twin Room

Room

Twin Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(5 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double Room

Room

Double Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(5 reviews)
  • Partial sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Double Room 5

Room

Double Room 5

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Double Room

Room

Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Partial sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 59 reviews
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About the neighborhood

Islay Island

A stay at The Island Bear B&B places you in the heart of Islay Island, a 1-minute drive from Bowmore Distillery and 13 minutes from Bruichladdich Distillery. .This golf bed & breakfast is 10.2 mi (16.5 km) from Museum of Islay Life and 10.4 mi (16.7 km) from Wildlife Information Centre.
View more B&B in Islay IslandOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Bowmore Distillery - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • MacTaggart Leisure Centre - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Laphroaig Distillery - 26 min drive - 14.8 miles
  • Lagavulin Distillery - 29 min drive - 16.7 miles
  • Ardbeg Distillery - 30 min drive - 17.5 miles

Getting around

  • Islay (ILY) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Port Charlotte Hotel And Restaurant - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Taj Mahal Tandoori - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Islay’s Plaice - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Rhinns Cafe - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen - ‬16 min drive

About this property

The Island Bear B&B

The Island Bear B&B offers 4 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. This Islay Island bed & breakfast provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 50+ Mbps. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Recreational amenities at the bed & breakfast include a sauna.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Stay in one of 4 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include electric kettles and free tea bags/instant coffee, and housekeeping is provided on request.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a sauna, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and discounted use of a nearby fitness facility.
A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 9 AM.
A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours).
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 7:30 AM and 9 AM.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Things to do

  • 18-hole adjacent golf course
  • Golf carts
  • Golf driving range
  • Golf lessons
  • Indoor pool (guest access)
  • Pro golf shop
  • Sauna
  • Wine tasting room
  • Wine tours

Family friendly

  • Access to nearby indoor pool

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • On the boardwalk/promenade

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • 3 floors
  • Built in 1886
  • Renovated entire property - February 2023
  • Smoking not allowed
  • 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

  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • 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
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property charges GBP 4 for credit card payments
There is no front desk at this property
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; access will be through a private entrance
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Private entrance

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

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: GBP 35 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 8)
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of GBP 4

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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 mobile payments and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for golf tee times; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property
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

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 97 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 97 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 97 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 97 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 97 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, clean well presented B&B, helpful hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing stay! Cozy place with a very helpful and nice owner. Perfect location for exploring the island. Can highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Helpful friendly reception, great facilities all round. Would highly recommend Island Bear for your stay in Islay
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hot.full breakfast was available through another hotel that was nearby and wonderful unexpected addition. Also wee breakfast available on site - awesome downtown location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very friendly, helpful and communicative. They were doing work on the reception area and adding a laundry room while we were there, but they said we could go watch TV in the downstairs lounge while work was happening.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a problem finding the place, parking a bit of a problem during the day. Friendly people, clean rooms and en-suite. Adequate Continental breakfast, with a snack box take away if you feel like snacking later.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fiona was a wonderful host. She knows all about the island. The room was cleaned beds comfortable and the breakfast was awesome
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Island Bear is simply fantastic overall. Everyone in the team was friendly and going the extra mile to help, and they gave excellent recommendations and suggestions on what to see and do on Islay. The room was very comfortable and clean, and breakfast was always delicious and they offered different choices every day. The B&B is just 2 minutes from Bowmore Distillery so cannot be more convenient. There are also restaurants and a cute souvenir shop across the road. The price we got was such a bargain for accommodations on Islay as well. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Helpful hotel owner, Nice scotich breakfast, Clean room.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location, very friendly, good breakfasts and lots of help with suggestions for things to do.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

good
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great B&B

Good breakfast cooked to order. Great location. Sea view.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Central location for exploring Islay and Jura.

Great place to stay in the middle of Islay’s largest village. Friendly and helpful staff.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Enjoyed a couple of days staying here. Rooms were very comfortable and clean. Nice breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Island Bear is very conveniently located in the cneter of Islay, a block away from ameneties, and the revered Bowmore distillery. The propert is nice, clean and lovingly mainted by the couple who also live there and are very helpful. Dunca (the owner) prepared deliciious Scotish breakfast every morning and was a reservoir of Islay knowledge. He knows every body on the Island, and everyone knows him fondly. I had great discussion with Duncan at breakfast every morning, and it was a highlight of my trip. Thank you for your hospitality.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very cosy place, wonderful people
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location, near the harbour in Bowmore Room very good, very clean, comfortable bed, nice bathroom with bath Property is currently changing hands, the sale completed this week As per previous reviews the previous owner served full Scottish cooked breakfast- the new owner is just doing prepared continental breakfast boxes which you help yourself to from the fridge We were not expecting this and were quite disappointed. There is nowhere in Bowmore where you can get breakfast so be aware
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff,nice breakfast walking distance to pubs , shopping and other convenient facilities. Comprehensive local information provided in room. Nice relaxation area
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Island Bear is a wonderful place to base a trip to Islay. It is situated at the center of town in Bowmore. The owners are very attentive and nice to talk with. The rooms are modern and very clean. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fiona and Duncan is friendly and helpful and provided a great breakfast every morning. The hotel was quiet and conveniently located a street from the ocean and and across the road from the Bowmore distillery with good restaurants nearby. Very comfortable beds and clean facilities.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Island Bear was amazing, Fiona was a great hostess!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient location
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean, modern and spacious and at a good price. Great value for money.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very kind owners, easy check in and check out. Delicious home made breakfast in the morning. The room/bathroom was comfortable and homely. Location (in Bowmore) is ideal as a central location on Islay, and you have access to bus services.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025