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Summary of reviewsThe Bower Inn has carved out a niche as a distinguished and splendid hotel, largely celebrated for its strategic location, exceptional dining, immaculate accommodations and superlative service. Nestled on the outskirts of Bridgwater, the inn offers the tranquility of a countryside retreat with the convenience of proximity to major routes, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers. Its easy access to Somerset and nearby attractions, along with ample parking, adds to its charm as a commendable stopover point.
The dining experience at The Bower Inn consistently earns high praise, particularly the lavish breakfast often considered among the best by guests. With a wide variety of freshly cooked options, the breakfast menu excels in quality and taste, featuring standout items like Eggs Benedict, Eggs Royale and full English breakfast. Despite minor suggestions for improvement such as additional buffet options, the overall consensus remains overwhelmingly positive.
Evening meals at The Bower Inn also receive accolades for their fantastic preparation, value for money and varied menu. Traditional dishes and unique options like Sunday roasts and shakshuka highlight the inn's commitment to high-quality, locally sourced produce. The cozy and welcoming restaurant setting complements the exceptional dining experience, minus occasional minor service hitches.
Guests frequently commend the rooms for their spaciousness, cleanliness and stylish decor, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Modern amenities, luxurious en-suite bathrooms and thoughtful touches like separate seating areas or kitchenettes enhance the comfort level. Complementing the superb accommodations, the hotel’s consistent cleanliness extends from rooms to communal areas, further enhancing the guest experience.
The staff at The Bower Inn are pivotal to its glowing reviews, often described as super friendly, attentive and efficient. The warm and professional service, led by general manager Andy, ensures that guests feel genuinely valued and well-cared for throughout their stay.
Accessible accommodations are another strong point, featuring ground floor rooms with spacious showers and large baths, wide hallways and convenient design for guests with disabilities. This focus on accessibility, combined with historical charm, modern comforts and luxurious touches, creates an inclusive yet sophisticated environment.
While the WiFi service receives mixed reviews with some guests pointing out slow speeds and connectivity issues, the general sentiment leans more favorably towards other aspects such as comfortable beds, plush linens and the boutique ambiance that permeates the inn.
Despite some critiques about not fully meeting five-star standards or minor issues with meals and internet service, The Bower Inn stands out for its excellent facilities, delightful character and overall high-quality experience, making it a highly recommended destination for a memorable stay. Show more
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Categories
Boutique-style Inn
Situated in Bridgwater, this inn offers a cozy and personalized experience with its charming rooms and welcoming atmosphere.
Luxury Inn
An 18th-century building listed as a 5-star hotel, The Bower Inn provides stylish rooms equipped with luxury bathrooms. Guests can enjoy delicious homemade food at the inn.
Historic Inn
An 18th-century country pub that has been renovated to preserve its historic features, including an exposed brick fireplace and wood burning stove. The rooms incorporate vintage furniture, some dating back to the 1820s.
Dog Friendly Inn
Accessible Inn
Small Inn
5-Star Inn
Room Types
Luxury Double RoomRooms have either a shower over the bath or a walk-in shower.
Cosy Twin RoomRooms have either a shower over the bath or a walk-in shower.
Superior Double RoomThis room features a smart TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
Cosy Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, flat-screen TV with cable channels, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Luxury Twin RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This twin room has a tea and coffee maker, a sofa, flat-screen TV with cable channels, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
9.0
Excellent
Location
The Bower Inn benefits from a strategic location that garners appreciation from its visitors, primarily for its convenient access to major routes like the M5. Ideal for travelers breaking up their journey to Cornwall, the inn is well-situated for those heading towards various destinations such as Totnes, Glastonbury, Wells and Street. Positioned on the outskirts of Bridgwater, the inn combines tranquillity with accessibility, providing a peaceful retreat just a short drive from the bustling town center.
The quiet setting offers a serene atmosphere with ample parking, including disabled spaces. While the immediate vicinity includes housing estates and construction sites, the inn's secluded location ensures a restful stay for guests. The surroundings provide a pleasant juxtaposition of countryside charm and easy motorway access, making it a perfect stopover for both leisure and work trips. Guests often highlight the ease of exploring Somerset and other nearby attractions, reinforcing its appeal as an excellent base for touring the region.
Moreover, The Bower Inn stands out for its combination of friendly service, excellent food and comfortable accommodations. Despite being close to the motorway, the area maintains a quiet ambiance, contributing to a relaxing stay. In essence, the location of The Bower Inn offers the best of both worlds – connectivity to major travel routes and a peaceful, countryside experience.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Bower Inn has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests. Descriptions frequently highlight the delicious and freshly cooked options with many guests considering it among the best they've ever had. The variety is a strong point, offering a wide menu with local produce and high-quality ingredients. Popular choices include the Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale, praised for their superior preparation.
Guests also appreciate the generous portion sizes and the ability to choose from an extensive menu. The full English breakfast is a standout, often described as top-notch. Specific items like the sourdough toast and croissants have also been singled out for their excellence.
While generally the breakfast is described as excellent, some have noted that a small buffet or additional options like cereals and fresh fruit would be beneficial. Service, provided by friendly and efficient staff, enhances the overall experience, making breakfast a memorable part of the stay.
Despite a few minor suggestions for improvement, the general consensus is that the breakfast at The Bower Inn is superb with a fantastic selection, high quality and great taste, making it a highly recommended aspect of staying at the inn.
Dinner
The dining experience at The Bower Inn consistently receives high praise from guests. Many reviewers noted the delicious and well-prepared food served at both dinner and breakfast. The evening meals, often described as superb and tasty, offer a wide variety of dishes, including an original and varied menu that features traditional Sunday roasts and other locally sourced produce. Guests highlighted that the food was not only delicious but also good value for money with dishes served in a cozy and welcoming restaurant setting.
Several reviews commended the quality of the food, labeling it as exceptional, amazing and of a great standard. The service also garnered positive mentions with happy and excellent staff contributing to the enjoyable dining experience. Even though a few reviews mentioned some issues, such as delays or missing orders, the overwhelming consensus is that the food quality outweighs these minor inconveniences.
Guests particularly lauded the traditional pie, Sunday roast and the unique options like shakshuka for breakfast. The restaurant’s popularity means it’s often recommended to book a table in advance. Despite minor criticisms about portions or specific dishes not meeting expectations, the general sentiment reflects satisfaction with the delicious and meticulously prepared meals at The Bower Inn.
Rooms
Guests at The Bower Inn consistently praise the hotel's rooms for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness. The accommodations are described as being immaculately cleaned, well-maintained and equipped with modern amenities. Many reviews highlight the large size of the rooms with several noting their impressive spaciousness and comfortable furnishings.
The decor of the rooms is another commonly mentioned positive aspect with guests appreciating the tasteful and stylish decorations, providing a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Bathrooms also receive high marks for their size, luxury fittings and cleanliness.
Additional specific features that guests enjoyed include some rooms having separate seating areas or kitchenettes, which add an extra level of convenience. The presence of comfortable beds, high-quality linens and nice views further enhance the overall experience.
Apart from the rooms, the general ambiance of the inn is described as warm and friendly, which is complemented by excellent service from the staff. Overall, the rooms at The Bower Inn are seen as providing superb accommodation with a combination of traditional charm and modern comfort.
Beds
Guests of The Bower Inn frequently praised the beds for their overall comfort and pleasant sleep experience. Positive remarks highlighted the very comfortable, often spacious beds, which contributed to a good night's sleep. Many guests found the mattresses firm but comfortable, perfect for those who prefer a supportive sleep surface. Beds were consistently described as lovely, wonderful and extremely comfortable, enhancing the overall stay.
Special mention was also made of the quality bed sheets and linen, further elevating the sleep experience. While most feedback was favorable, a few guests did note that some beds were too hard and a handful mentioned satisfaction with softer mattresses. Despite these minor discrepancies, the consensus emphasizes the notable comfort and well-made nature of the beds at The Bower Inn with many guests indicating they slept well and appreciated the thoughtful sleeping arrangements.
Cleanliness
The Bower Inn impresses with its remarkable cleanliness, consistently noted by guests as being virtually spotless. The rooms are described as very clean, tidy and comfortable, offering a modern design that enhances the overall experience. Guests appreciate the daily immaculate cleaning with special mentions of fresh towels and well-maintained facilities.
The bathrooms follow suit with a high standard of hygiene and modern en suite features, ensuring a pleasant stay. The property is characterized by a clean and bright ambiance, from the bedrooms to the communal areas, delivering a refreshing and welcoming atmosphere.
Additional touches such as nice refreshments trays, complimentary breakfast and freshly baked cookies add to the comfort and enjoyment of the visit. Visitors praise the spacious rooms and the overall well-appointed decor, making it a superb choice for a comfortable, clean and enjoyable stay.
Staff
The Bower Inn has consistently received high praise for its staff, who are often described as super friendly, helpful and efficient. Many guests highlight the warm welcome they received upon arrival, noting that the staff go out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay. The professionalism and friendliness of the team are recurring themes with many guests remarking on how genuinely kind and accommodating everyone is, from the general manager to the waitstaff.
Special mentions are frequently made of the attentiveness and courtesy displayed by the staff. Guests feel that nothing is too much trouble and many appreciate the staff’s knowledge and helpfulness, whether in handling special requests or providing information on local attractions. The general manager, Andy, along with his team, is often commended for his passionate approach to customer service, making guests feel especially valued and cared for.
The atmosphere created by the staff contributes significantly to the overall positive experience at The Bower Inn. The clean and comfortable environment, complemented by the team's consistent warmth and efficiency, leaves a lasting impression on visitors, making their stays thoroughly enjoyable.
Wi-Fi
The Bower Inn receives mixed reviews concerning its WiFi services. Several guests found the WiFi to be very good, strong and easy to use. The hotel provides free WiFi, which is an appreciated amenity and some guests noted that the staff were helpful in resolving initial connection issues by providing an alternative password that worked well. However, multiple reviews pointed out significant issues, including very slow speeds, dodgy reception and weak connections. Some guests mentioned that the WiFi was not reliable enough for work purposes and at times, it was unusably slow. While there were positive remarks regarding the quality of the WiFi, other guests felt the internet service was poor and inconsistent throughout their stay.
5 Star
The Bower Inn impresses with its high-quality facilities and services, earning high praise from guests. Visitors consistently highlight the lovely rooms, fantastic staff and overall cleanliness of the hotel. The inn's breakfast receives particular acclaim, frequently described as excellent, fantastic and delicious. Guests also note the superb location, which adds to the appeal of staying at the inn.
The general experience at The Bower Inn is marked by excellence with guests recommending it 100%. The food in the hotel is often described as fantastic, contributing to the commendation of the dining experience.
However, some guests feel that the inn does not quite meet five-star standards, pointing to issues such as overpriced meals and signs of wear and tear. Despite these critiques, the majority of the feedback highlights a delightful and superb stay, characterized by first-class, friendly service and excellent facilities.
Accessible
The Bower Inn stands out for its exceptional accessibility features, making it a comfortable choice for guests with disabilities. The hotel offers accessible ground floor rooms equipped with spacious showers and large baths, providing ease and convenience. Wide hallways and doors further ensure unimpeded movement throughout the premises. The high decorated ceilings and well-maintained interiors add to the overall comfort and aesthetic appeal. With its prime location close to the airport and regional attractions, the accessible and comfortable accommodations serve as a good base for exploring the area. Guests have noted the hotel’s dependable and regular use, demonstrating its suitability and convenience for those requiring accessible facilities.
Historic
The Bower Inn stands out as an attractive, charming destination rich in history and character. This historic inn originally dating back to the 1700s, offers a unique blend of period features and traditional elements, providing a cosy feel that transports guests to a bygone era. Visitors frequently highlight the lovely building, which retains its old inn charm and character aspects that are evident throughout the property. The establishment includes a quaint old-style bar and serves real ales, adding to its authentic appeal. The inn’s Victorian architecture and traditional stone building further contribute to its historical ambiance. Moreover, the barn conversion and bed and breakfast accommodations maintain the property's historical essence while ensuring comfort and cleanliness, making it a delightful choice for travelers seeking both history and hospitality.
Boutique-Style
The Bower Inn offers a boutique ambiance that stands out with its distinctive and unique styling. Guests frequently highlight the beautifully decorated and tastefully adorned rooms, contributing to a stylish, clean and comfortable experience. The inn's setting is described as beautiful, enhancing the overall appeal of the property. The boutique feel extends to both the rooms and the old-style bar, providing a charming and intimate atmosphere. Amenities such as nice bottles, complimentary soap and shampoo add a touch of luxury to the stay. Though there are mentions of downsides inherent to boutique styles, the overall feedback remains overwhelmingly positive, painting The Bower Inn as a lovely boutique destination.
Luxury
The Bower Inn is renowned for its luxurious accommodations and attention to detail, providing a refined experience for guests. The rooms are highly praised for their modern yet elegant design with amenities that elevate the overall stay. Each room offers both a bath and shower in the en-suite, featuring luxurious bathrooms equipped with rain showers and quality shampoos and body washes. The beds are notably large and comfortable, complemented by wonderfully plush pillows and huge, luxurious towels. Guests appreciate the additional touches typically found only in high-end hotels.
Breakfast at The Bower Inn also receives commendations with a luxury menu that starts the day on a high note. Throughout the inn, the decor maintains a modern and sophisticated feel, creating a continuous atmosphere of opulence. Service is attentive, especially noted during lunch and the selection of higher-end drinks adds to the premium experience. All these features come together to offer good value for a truly luxurious stay, making The Bower Inn stand out as a choice destination for travelers seeking comfort and elegance.
Dog Friendly
The Bower Inn is highly regarded for its exceptionally dog-friendly approach. Guests frequently highlight the welcoming nature of the hotel towards their canine companions with dogs being treated to many thoughtful amenities such as complimentary sausages at breakfast. The inn's pet-friendly policy is repeatedly praised, making it an ideal stay for dog owners. Dogs not only receive a warm welcome but also enjoy the comfortable provisions like dog beds in the rooms.
The hotel features a lovely garden where guests can relax with their dogs in the sun. Additionally, there is a designated dog trail integrated into the restaurant and pub, ensuring that pets are part of the dining experience. This welcoming atmosphere extends beyond mere tolerance; the hotel goes the extra mile to ensure dogs enjoy their stay with many reviews describing the environment as superb for dogs.
Overall, The Bower Inn stands out as a top choice for travelers with dogs, thanks to its exceptional dedication to pet comfort and enjoyment.
No, The Bower Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Bower Inn.
Yes, The Bower Inn welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Bower Inn.