Crazy Bear Hotel
Bear Lane
Stadhampton
Stadhampton
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX44 7UR
Contact Numbers
Reviews
Crazy in love
I love, love, love the Crazy Bear. I would eat there every day if I could…but I would have to win the lottery. The Crazy is a beautiful, old pub situated in Stadhampton, meaning you will probably need a car to get there. As you approach the building, you will be stunned by the fairy lights adorning every tree and every so slightly confused by the double decker bus in the garden. As you saunter up the path, you will find yourself wondering about the prices in a place where the car park is full of Bentleys and Aston Martins. Inside, the luxury continues in a more rustic way where you will see busy décor that includes a large stuffed bear. The bar offers sumptuous cocktails (I recommend the blueberry) and champagne on tap. For food, you have a choice between English upstairs and Thai downstairs. I can honestly say that both are magnificent and worth the average £15 - £20 per main course. The Crazy Bear is a perfect choice for that special occasion but, be warned, you may be left wanting more than your bank balance can take.
A User - 08/08/2008 | report this review
If all pubs were like this...
The Crazy Bear really is a cut above the rest. The location could be a little awkward to get to for those that don't live in the sticks, but it's well worth the journey.The building itself, as well as the surroundings look lovely - the garden to the rear is kitted out in fairy lights and there's a double decker bus that really adds to the "quirky" atmosphere.Inside, the bar is warm and welcoming, even aside from the bear on the ceiling. The bar is well stocked with more or less anything you'd wish to drink, Oysters are available as a bar snack, Champagne is on tap. There's a whole case full of cigars to choose from and in the bathrooms there is Molton Brown handwash. You really get the feeling they've thought about the little details and that this place is special - and that's before you've even got to the food.I've eaten in both the Thai and English restaurants and have to say, the food is just top notch. I can honestly say the fillet steak I ate in the latter was the best I've ever had.The cocktails from the bar are also tasty and well made.Prices are on the high side, but for the quality of food and the experience you get, the prices are well justified.I just love looking for excuses to go out to the Crazy Bear.
A User - 01/08/2008 | report this review
A lovable Crazy diverse riot of a place
Apart from "Crazy" there are many epithets that have been used to describe this wonderfully diverse place: "whacky", "outré", "kitsch", "quirky". All of these apply - but not in isolation, such is the eclectic nature of this place.Firstly the location - in the middle of nowhere of real significance, 10 miles from Oxford. You are given no forewarning of the the assualt on your senses as you enter the pretty and rather anodyne village. So it comes as a shock when entering, it ingests you into a complete "other world". It offers three things - all of which get different marks - the bar is a 4 star talent, the food yo-yo's between 3 and 4 stars (and given there are 5 Michelin stars within 25 miles it needs to work on this) and the hotel is a micron from 5 but probably still 4 stars.The Bar area is dark wood and glittering chandeliers, all fused with subtle laid back smooth "world" club music pervading the atmosphere. The drinks are served expertly and with an assured attitude, and the staff are human and smiley whilst formally dressed. There are 2 restaurants - English, with a cocophony of leather and not just the seats - studded white leather walls, silver flashes and huge mirrors all vie for attention. The Thai menu is served in a sultry space, hinting at opulence and seduction with gold platter tables and lots of dark, deep silky reds adorning dark wood. The accomodation is as diverse as you could ever find. Anything from dark and moody to bright and mediterranean and just about anything inbetween - avant-garde, Philippe Stark-esque you name it - you have the choice on the well constructed and easy to navigate website.No shrinking violet then, this first-born of the now expanding Crazy Bear "Group" with another sibling now open in central London that seems to be attracting positive reviews on this very site...
A User - 12/05/2008 | report this review
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