crazy bear

A great ‘hidden’ spot for something special, or a fancy high tea. Almost feels like dining with the mad hatters! A wonderfully eclectic array of décor from leather curtains to crystal chandeliers and Arabian style tents make for a fun dining experience. Generous portions and a good selection for the set menu. Make sure you visit the bathroom, but watch the angles as there’s a lot of reflective surfaces in one space! Pay attention to the address as the building is unmarked, and be sure to book to avoid disappointment. enjoy!

My girlfriend’s birthday falls right around Valentine’s Day, and so, the pressure is a little high to do something big. Plus, you know, I like her and want to make her happy (there’s always that). I had seen ads for the Crazy Bear hotel and it looked like just the kind of place that was perfect for a getaway from London.
And the space is beautiful, no doubt about it, as funky as it is romantic. I got the top suite, which was expensive for an evening but I hoped worth it. Our room had dragon-​scale leather-​like wallpaper, a beautiful Victorian tub with water that poured in from the ceiling, and the ability to create any mood lighting we’d like. There was also a jet black bathroom with water that again fell from the ceiling.
We also did the seven-​course meal to top off the evening, because it seemed like a fantastic way to celebrate her birthday.
However, nothing was as good as I hoped.
It was like the longer we stayed, the more disappointing the night became. There were two TVs in our room, but they were impossibly hard to work with outdate remotes. Even the woman who showed us into our room had trouble with it. When we tried to adjust the TV, the plate fell off the front, which shows just how old they are.
They promised WIFI in the room, but there was zero WIFI in the room. It worked in the rest of the hotel, but in the room? Nada.
When we turned on the shower, water eventually ran out of the bathroom into the main room, since there was no door to block it (also, seems like a bad structural flaw there.)
We explored the hotel (again, which was so beautiful) and yelled at by a staff member for walking into an unmarked private party. He told us that we couldn’t be here, and when we apologised and asked where the sign was to tell us that, he looked around, couldn’t find one and just said, «you must leave.»
The room throughout the night was boiling hot and we couldn’t figure out a way to turn it down and just figured we’d live with it… until the AC kicked on halfway through the night and made it a frigid nightmare. Then we had to deal with it.
Worst of all, through our seven course meal (which was very nice), we kept being rushed between courses. Our waiter was by far the most unfriendly waiter I may have ever had and he kept trying to grab our plates before we were finished with them. Slow down man!
This does make it seem like all the staff were horrible and they were not, many of them were extremely friendly and we were welcomed in with a lovely glass champagne from a wonderful woman as we checked in.
But the beauty of the hotel and the friendliness of (some of) the staff wasn’t enough to save the evening. For such an important day, it was a less than extraordinary experience.

It was alright, we went there for Xmas combined party. They said there would be live music which I didn’t see at all. Dancing floor was small, and not many people dance. Also the food was nice but not worth £59. Overall, it’s a little bit over priced. All I can say that it’s an experience but don’t think will go again.

Dire Dire Dire AVOID at all costs! 1 Star, only because it has to have a minimum, otherwise it would be minus figures!

Been once about 3 years ago for a birthday lunch and wasn’t impressed by the attitude of the staff, or food served uscomplete disaster.

Absolutely awful! Very over priced for what you get. The staff are rude, unhelpful and will not go that extra mile for you.
I will never say a good word about this place — don’t waste your money!

Lets start with the good things. There are two restaurants here, English and Thai and we went to the Thai and I must say the food was excellent.
However, they only book for two sittings on a Saturday night (not sure if its the same during the week) and we went for the later one. On arriving the bar was packed and the service for a drink was very slow indeed. We were told three times that our table was ready even before all our party had arrived, i guess to clear the bar area. The Thai dining area is actaully in another building so you have to walk down the road to take your seat. The service was slow in the restaurant in general and our bill at the end was wrong. So to sum up good food spoilt by poor/​average service

I love the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton so when they opened up a new hotel, bar and restaurant in Beaconsfield, just 10 mins up the road, I was first in line to go and experience it!
The décor didn’t disappoint but the first meal there at the English restaurant didn’t hit the mark at all — our food was cold, the wrong order and the service was slow, slow, slow.
However, we then opted to try the Thai restaurant next and were completely blown away. The food was divine and the service was so much better than the other side. We’ve tried the take-​away Thai and the quality was superb, so would highly recommend.
I’ve had lunch there a few times and a couple of girlie evenings out (mid week as you can’t get into the bar at weekends without a food reservation).
It’s expensive, but it’s fun and it’s always great to take someone who hasn’t been before and take them to the toilets!!!
It’s Crazy — go visit :-)

I recently went to Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield, which is local to where I live, and as expected I loved the atmosphere and environment much lovelier than the original Crazy Bear in Stadhampton, Oxfordshire although I have frequent this establishment many times. I had a superb meal in the English restaurant (there is the Thai option as an alternative) I opted for the lobster and a very nice Sav Blanc, followed by a tart tartin with amazing ice cream. The waiters and waitresses were incredibly attentive and made you feel very welcomed. Don’t expect a cheap night out here, our bill came to £126.56 for 2 people. I would definitely go again and recommend that you go if you get a chance.

One of the coolest places I have ever been to, pure Miami /​Ibiza eccentricity and it certainly attracts some appropriate people too. Going at the busier times just for a drink is unfortunately not as easy as the Oxford one, we were greeted at the door with Do you have a reservation which luckily we did (they give priority at the bar to diners and hotel guests) which is fair enough. The food is excellent in both Thai and English restaurants and whilst it is expensive when you have wine and /​or cocktails, it’s an experience that is made special by the excellent service and amazing décor + great music.

If you are in the area you just have to call in… THE DECORWELL, I’m not sure ‘funky’ does it justice, the bar is Bizarre, and good fun, and the Toilets are unusual, with some very confusing mirrors and open space between the ladies/​gents. you’ve been warned.
I went for lunch, drinks in the bar were served by the waiter, and my tomato juice was superbly presented with a celery tree in it.
At lunch we opted for the £10, 2 course Farm Shop menu, certainly available on weekday lunches, not sure about Saturday.
The food was really good, and tasty.
It wasn’t very busy on the Friday lunch we went to, we were told this is unusual, I’d imagine Friday and saturday nights would have a real buzz.
I’m keepimg the details secret from some friends and just take them trhere and wait to see their jaws drop.
Just to confuse you there are no signs outside, so be sure you have the exact location befre you go.

The Crazy Bear group have added a hotel and restaurant in Old Beaconsfield. They already have the hotel & restaurant in Oxford and restaruant in London and now this one!
It is excellent — we went this week for my birthday and it was a unique experience! Definitely a wow factor!
As you walk in, it is like being in Alice in Wonderland — a very funky bar and restaurant. we ate in the english restaurant (they also have a thai one just afew doors down) and the food, ambience and service was excellent.
It is also not that expensivethe bedrooms (we didn’t stay!) are quite pricey at almost £ 300.00 a night at weekends, however the restaurant is averagely priced which makes it accessible for most special occasions or weekend treats.
Something different and unique for this area. they even have an outdoor swimming pool!