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Arrived on a very warm Friday evening (32 degrees). Comfortable room on the secnd floor. No lift, stairs only. No air conditioning in the room, although the windows were open. The duvet was winter weight and it was too hot to sleep in the bed, so I lay on top of it. Fortunately I had brought my own portable fan as there was none in the room. Parking in the nearby car park is free after 6pm. The room had an ensuite bathroom with shower, bath and plenty of towels. Only soap provided. Tea and coffee making facilities were in the room. The staff wre friendly and the desk was manned when I departed just after 6am. My room overlooked the high street and having to leave the windows open due to the heat, the room was very noisy, as it was a Friday night and there was a lot of late night revellers. I needed to be up early at 5.30am. There is a Saturday market and there was a lot of clanging of metal poles while the traders unloaded their vans to set up their stalls. The rate I paid was fair value and there was little that could have been done to offset the heat, bearing in mind the Bear is located in an old building. Had it not been a very hot night, the room probably would have been quieter with the windows closed. I would certainly stay again, but preferably during cooler weather!

Good enough for a night

Approach to Milton hill is lovely well sign posted as were the disabled parking. Beautiful entrance and smelt lovely. Staying on a Secret Escapes break we were delighted we stayed in the house, room 406 . Great views of the back of the Great Park . Squirrels, deer ,rabbits and a plethora of birds . The room a good size updated bathroom was good with a sensible wardrobe case stand and equipped with iron ,hairdryer and ironing board tea and coffee and tinned water nice touch . It in places needed a little tlc but the views compensated for a bit of missing paint . Dining room with its side dining areas had great views too though again the main area is a little dated but served its purpose.. Food was from the normal menu with price adjustment if you go over the set allowance. This is by far the best way of doing it ,why other places don't do this I don't know . A word about staff they whilst obviously were under pressure maintained an excellent level of service ,attention and please take some cash down to dinner and tip good service. Our servers were almost shocked we cash tipped them saying it's now a rare occurrence. This bring me on to lost stars firstly it needs a coat of paint in places desperately the building has some beautiful features but look tired . Secondly the bar floor is a disgrace wooden floor scratched to obliteration . Seems small observations ? Yes they are but detail to the discerning guest is a huge part of a enjoyable stay . And finally the old cash chestnut . They don't take payment in cash it should be our choice not the establishment. Now a word about the spa nice pool not big with 10 people in it it felt full, steam and sauna again compact but adequate shame jacuzzi wasn't working but hey things go wrong changing room (male) too small lockers faulty .So in brief take cash, tidy public areas and I would have given five stars happily. I also would if given a” in the house” room do a return visit to do an update review

The hotel is great. Very responsive. Some tourists were smoking and drinking in their room with room door opened, the whole corridor became smoky and smelly, as soon as we called, we were given a different room on different floor.