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Bear Hotel a hotel famous far and wide for its welcoming atmosphere, historic character, convivial surroundings and good food. A cobbled forecourt, archway into the inner courtyard and 19th-century stagecoach timetable in the bar are all reminders of the Bear's former role. Set in the heart of The Brecon Beacons National Park, one of Britains most beautiful wilderness areas you'll find some of the finest walks in Britain with the Beacons themselves and The Black Mountains right on our doorstep. It feels like another world yet we're just an hours drive from Bristol and less than an hour from Cardiff.
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Crickhowell and the beautiful Brecon Beacons are within easy reach of all the major cities of Southern and Western Britain. The A40 trunk road runs through Crickhowell and the A465 dual carriageway is just 3 miles away - linking on to the A449 and M4, M5 and M50 motorways. Major shopping centres at Cardiff and Hereford are less than an hour away, and Swansea, Bristol and Birmingham just over an hour.
We are Looking for enthusiastic bar staff to join our team, you must be friendly, hardworking, honest and reliable. Your role will include: Greeting, serving and looking after our guests Maintaining. We are looking for enthusiastic waiting staff to join our team, you must be friendly, hardworking, honest and reliable.
Reviews (23)
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Aureo Potts
Jun 08, 2022
Only went to the pub for a meal and drinks and the food was so amazing we tried to go back the next day. Do recommend to book a table as it can be hard to get one for dinner time. Staff was super friendly and very helpful.
Karen Skinner
Jun 01, 2022
First visit to the Bear Hotel - recommended by friends. Luckily we booked a table as it proved to be a very busy day, but the food was fantastic (difficult to choose, but eventually decided on a starter followed by curry and Welsh beef), but had no room left for dessert - perhaps next time! Very characterful building and the toilets were amazing! Would recommend to others.
Fraser Bishop
May 26, 2022
We had a lovely meal in the splendid hotel. The lunch was excellent for meat, fish and vegetarian selection. Puddings were well received! Good selection of beer and wine. When in Crickhowell next this will be first on the list for lunch.
Phil Webb
May 23, 2022
Love this place very much. Very old traditional coaching inn. Steeped in character. The staff are great very helpful and there's plenty of choice on the menu. The food every time I've eaten in there has been superb. They champion locally sourced foods much like the rest of the places to eat in Crickhowell do. It's great to see the local producers being supported.
S. Roberts
May 23, 2022
We booked an overnight stay in a "cosy " double room aka tiny room with paper thin walls and a tiny shower room. We booked dinner in the bar and looked forward to a relaxing stay. After showering before dinner we noticed a very strong damp smell in the shower room. We opened the window and hoped it would get better. On return to the room later the smell was little there but not as bad. However, it got worse during the night.

We were up and packed to get out of there by 7 am. We had breakfast and checked out. On check out I asked the receptionist if she would like to come to the room and I could let her see / smell the bathroom. She said no thanks for letting us know and she would sort it that day. When she handed me the bill. including the 121 to pay for the smelly room (and 79 we had spent on food and drinks the night before), I asked was there not going to be a discount or an offer of a future stay. she reluctantly took 31 off the room rate! SO. 90 for a smelly room! Food was nice. but room smelly and awful.
Steven Ware
May 10, 2022
Had two nights here in May. Rooms exceptionally clean and well presented. Staff are lovely and couldn't help enough. Breakfast was delicious with lots of choice. Had dinner here one night too and it was lovely and priced well. I guess my only degative would be the noise from other rooms. I know this is an old building and a hard issue to rectify but I could hear people speaking next door and snoring. It made me tip toe round mu room scared to make a noise.
Pro Ethan Pro
Apr 16, 2022
Food was great. Had a cracking night with my wife and children. Could be better with table service Has you need to go to the bar to order your meals Getting served at the bar was disappointing when people are just standing at bar drinking for this reason I would only give this place a 3 out of 5 stars After saying this we have booked again into the restaurant area hoping to have a better service
Clare Buffin
Feb 08, 2022
Beautiful place. Room was lovely and comfortable, had everything I needed and was spotless! Evening meal was great lots of choices, and breakfast was the same. All the staff were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend
Aga Herbst
Jan 23, 2022
2 night stay over New Years Eve. The hotel is in a great location with easy access to Brecon Beacons. Crickhowell is a charming little town. The room we stayed in (room 25) was dated and not modern as our upgrade stated. Bathroom was in need of upgrade with bath panel coming off and poor shower, no ventilation. I would not stay on this room again.

The hotel however has a lovely pub we dined in breakfast, lunch and dinner where staff is super friendly. I feel the staff in the pub made our stay but overall experience of the hotel was just okay. My advice is go there for a drink and dinner and stay somewhere else.
Rachael Padfield
Jan 21, 2022
Superb Sunday Lunch! Lovely Menu to chose from.we had the prawn cocktail & waitbait. The roast beef was delicious (I was given the choice of how I liked it).so, I had rare. The roast lamb was tasty & juicy and lots of it. The roast potatoes were spot on, the veg was plentiful including cauliflower cheese. Very attentive service by the staff who were very knowledgeable & helpful.

We would of liked to stay longer with additional drinks in the Bar but currently Covid restrictions do not allow. We will be back for more soon especially as it's a dog friendly Establishment. Lovely hotel.
Annette C.
Aug 19, 2019
Decor 10 food 11 service on par. parking is a challenge but worth the effort. Fab old world place. Worth traveling to Wales for. Very original feeling, great wine choices as well.
Paul H.
Nov 09, 2017
Seems a cut above your average pub lunch option. Character laden bar with plenty of atmosphere and ambience. Extensive menu, (perhaps too broad?) offering a range of traditional and more contemporary options. White bait starter was good, if a little unimaginative. We had the lamb shank and beef Bourgogne, both were very good in a traditional way. Service was very good, and the food came promptly. Very crowded, even on a Wednesday. Fair value, deserts a bit pricey.
Bekki G.
Mar 05, 2016
Lovely traditional old pub with great beer and a roaring fire! Chocolate box rooms and comfy furniture - can't really ask for more!
Claudia S.
Oct 13, 2015
The pub lunch was fab! The chef had prepared carrot and orange soup and I commented to the owner that it sounded sweet. After checking with the chef she acknowledged that it was and said he had offered to fix me some tomato-basil instead. It was delicious and the fresh bread was to die for.
Qype User Bob
Jan 07, 2013
In my opinion this is one of the best places to eat in wales been several times and the food is consistently great the menus change but remains quality don't get there late it fills fast, cant wait to go again it really is that good.
Qype User Jg
Nov 28, 2011
Great place to stay. Good food, friendly staff. I highly recommend this hotel. At the moment the village of Crickhowell is dressed for Christmas, so you can enjoy a walk and see the lights.
Tony V.
Jun 29, 2011
We ate from the extensive and varied menu in the bar. Food was excellent, service was great and atmosphere just perfectly "country pub". Highly recommended; we will be returning very soon.
Hannah P.
Oct 01, 2010
This pace happens to be Robbie Williams favourite retreat if visiting sunny Wales, he stayed here the night before he played the millennium stadium and i'm told its where he comes if he's in Gods country. set in the perfect little village of Crickhowell, The Bear was where 'posh' people go. Well, that was the myth anyway. Its not your average valley pub but you find one of those in Crickhowell anyway.

Its too nice a place. The Bear's hotel rooms are perfect and the bar is one of my all time favourite places to go.for a quiet one that is. The food is absolutely delicious but slightly on the pricey but as i've said time and time again, you get what you pay for. I love the ear so much i'm considering taking boyf down for the night and hoping he'll propose! If he doesn't i think i'll ask him! Watch this space.
Sarah P.
Jun 26, 2010
This pub set in the picturesque town of Crickhowell in the heart of Brecon Beacons is an ideal place to visit for a pub lunch with friends before going out walking in the Beacons. The Bear serves food in both the restaurant and bar. We chose the bar menu and were not disappointed with the range of choice available. I had salmon fishcakes with chips and a salad, whilst my friends opted for the fish pie and the "Welsh champion" sausages.

The food was simply delicious. As one would expect from a bar that is recommended by the campaign for real ale, The Bear stocks a wide variety of beers, with local ones sold whenever possible. Having seen the restaurant menu, I am determined to return here soon!
Qype User Cullod
Nov 19, 2008
Love this place. Lots of history and character and unsurpassed quality food using local ingredients. Located in a pretty little town with excellent links to almost anything you'd want from walking to Theatre, excellent food venues a few metres away and historic buildings all around; this is at the quiet centre of everything. I needed to find accommodation for an old friend visiting my Dad just recently. Unbeknown to me his wife had some severe mobility restrictions, but the staff at the bear were discreet and tactful finding them a beautiful first floor apartment overlooking the old courtyard and making a big fuss of them; they absolutely loved it and I love the Bear!
Qype User Tigerb
Oct 06, 2008
Popular but spacious pub - even a weekday lunchtime can be v. busy! Many people visit for the good quality reasonably priced food. Large menu with regular specials. Rev. James is probably pick of the beers on tap. Of the puddings, Chocoholics Anonymous is hard to beat although the Strawberry Pavlova (if available) is also recommended. Parking available at back of pub but this can fill quite quickly.
Qype User Goldil
Sep 04, 2008
Excellent place. Each room was different. Got upgraded to the honeymoon suite with fourposter bed and Jacuzzi! Evening meal in the restaurant was top notch, but breakfast service in shambles. Food was good, but if you have to wait 25 min from ordering the breakfast till you get your first toast.room for improvement. Great country side and cute village. Would definitely go there again!
Qype User Tali
Feb 04, 2008
The Bear is the biggest hotel with about 30 rooms in the little village of Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. Rooms start from about 70 and go up to 150. We stayed in the top end room and it was a really big wooden beamed room with a gigantic bed, tv and a lovely bathroom including a jacuzzi as well as a shower. The bed was very comfortable and it had a proper old world feel while still being very well looked after.

We also ate in the restaurant downstairs which had a big menu including fish, steaks, and the like. It was pretty expensive (fillet steak 18.95) but all the food was lovely and we ate it at a happily leisurely pace. Staff are polite and would stay there again.