X Factor legend helps to relaunch quirky Oxfordshire hotel

Boutique hotel group Crazy Bear kicked off the summer social season in style, hosting a private party until the early hours to mark a new era.

Former The Xtra Factor presenter, comedian Matt Richardson, was one of the performers on the night.

Hundreds of guests packed the venue and were treated to acts including festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, and a dance-off led by leading Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak.

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The party earlier this month marked the launch of a new Crazy Bear menu and cocktail range coming soon, plus refurbishment of some of the heritage venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

Throughout the night, party goers enjoyed dishes from the refreshed menu, which couple traditional pub food with sumptuous Thai flavours.

Party goers at the Crazy Bear hotel in Stadhampton (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The Cuban Brothers unleashed a mix of funk-fuelled epic dance moves, while Matt Richardson took a break from his national tour with a bespoke version of his celebrated stand-up routine.

Sol Collective, one of London’s leading Latin ensembles, joined the line-up with two fresh, inspiring live acoustic sets on the garden terrace.

The Sol Collective play at the Crazy Bear hotel venue (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The innovative menu brought together classic pub mains, sizzling meats from the grill and authentic Thai wok dishes. Open fire cage cooking, a new weekend feature, included garlic butter king prawns, thyme chicken thighs, and garden larder salads.

Drinks flowed from the new menu, as the foraged cocktail range featuring hedgerow negroni and roasted dandelion espresso martini, was in popular demand.

The dancefloor at the Crazy Bear hotel venue (Image: Fortitude Communications)

A feast featuring handmade afternoon tea favourites piled high kept the party going in the new residents’ lounge, which hosted a bespoke feasting table, vinyl record player and cocktail trolley.

Lauren Thompson, who has a weekly set on House FM and has played legendary club nights for Groove Odyssey and Fabric, took to the decks, followed by resident DJ Tony Nanton, who kept the tempo with a house music set in the Glasshouse.

Guests also enjoyed an outdoor cinema screening of Pulp Fiction, while a set of prizes were won through hook-a-duck on the lawn.

“The party provided the perfect moment to unveil our refreshed experience which captures the Crazy Bear’s spirit with a contemporary twist,” said Jen Needham, marketing director at the Crazy Bear.

“Every guest was treated to the exceptional hospitality set to become synonymous with the Crazy Bear.

“Party goers were led through a rabbit warren of intrigue spanning musical genres, leafy tropical hideaways and wild entertainment while being among the first to sample our exceptional new food and drink offering.

“Our menus and direction have changed, but the essence of the Crazy Bear remains unchanged. So, stand by for elevated dining, unforgettable parties and maverick entertainment as the next chapter unfolds.”

Founded in 1993, the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton is complete with 18 rooms, a cosy 16th century pub, an eclectic choice of indoor and outdoor spaces to eat and drink, plus secret garden and woodland.

It hosts weddings like no other and its public areas are dog friendly. Its sister site in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has 35 individually designed bedrooms, restaurants, bar and an outdoor swimming pool.