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Magdalena Grand Beach Resort – reviews, photos

4.0 of 5
Tobago Plantations Estate | Lowlands, Scarborough, Tobago
Hotel amenities
Magdalena Grand Beach Resort
Ranked #1 of 2 hotels in Scarborough
4.5 of 5 stars 50 Reviews
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50 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    26
    18
    6
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Date Rating
New Forest, UK
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Fantastic - but empty - hotel”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

(Bit late reviewing this ...)

Stayed at the Magdalena for 2 weeks in March 2012 - got an amazing deal through Travel Zoo/Golden Holidays.

Hadn't been to the Carribean before and were unsure what to expect. Fantastic hotel and absolutely amazing staff (the waiting staff and chefs were a delight and nothing was too much trouble. Shirlann - one of the chefs - loved my interest in all things foody and treated us wonderfully).

It seems it's not normal, but we hired a car and spent almost every day taking in a different bit of the beautiful island. It's really hilly and driving can be a little hairy in parts, due to very narrow and twisty roads. But we're used to self drive, so didn't find this an issue.

We had quite a lot of stormy weather and the hotel laid on indoor games, etc. (Tho' having the car meant we could drive to the other side of the island where, more often than not, it was fine.)

My husband found the golf course too expensive (c.£100 once you factor in hire of clubs, buggy etc) which was a shame coz it was usually empty. The hotel itself was also pretty empty but I think that's a reflection on not enough people going to Tabago. Hope the hotel survives but it was incredibly empty when we were there and was a few months into its 'soft' opening!

If you want a beach or chilled-out holiday, I can't think of anywhere better than here. Would definitely come again. And we were grateful for the welcome breeze from being on the Atlantic side of the island.

But, apart from diving or other active persuits, there's very little to do. Most of the artists or bird sanctuaries have closed down (as had quite a few restaurants) and there don't seem to be many local crafts, etc.

Great places:
Glass bottom boat and drift snorkelling from Buccoo.
Charlotteville which is gorgeous with lovely walks/views - and a nice walk to Pirate Bay, nearby.
Castara which has a safe beach and an outdoor bread oven where you can order homemade pumpkin bread on a Weds and Sat - yum!

Room Tip: All rooms are sea facing - so ignore any offers of 'upgrades' to a beach facing room!!!
See more room tips
  • Stayed March 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask NewForest2 about Magdalena Grand Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
London, United Kingdom
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
“OK!”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW
2
people found this review helpful

Great resort a bit windy as on Atlantic side but newly renovated!

Food is good.

As mentioned in previous reviews, Service can sometimes be a bit chancy, some Waitresses & Bar Staff make u feel like you're troubling them if you ask for anything or some are just slow, majority are friendly. Issue in the bars is inconsistency, there are 4 bars & if there are 2 staff in each & you ask for a particular cocktail Daiquiri for instance, it will be made 8 different ways, no alcohol, different measures, different ingredients, different strengths, blended, unblended. Plus if on all inclusive Bar Staff will use premium alcohol in drinks & not tell you so be careful when signing your bill! Otherwise you will have a large bill to pay at end of holiday.

  • Stayed May 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask travelexpert186338 about Magdalena Grand Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Port of Spain, Trinidad
1 review
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Something special”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2012
4
people found this review helpful

This is easily the best and only place to stay on Tobago (we have stayed at several others over the last five years). It really is a five star location with hotel facilities and friendly and efficient staff that make a real effort to make your stay special. The drama of the location has to be seen to be appreciated and the food and service first rate. We will be back....

Stayed May 2012, travelled with family
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Ask jean-mitzy about Magdalena Grand Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
East Retford, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Hot property”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We flew Virgin, approx eight and a half hours.
A warm welcome and fruit cocktail on arrival.
The room was to a good standard [ still new ] with a balcony overlooking Pelicans diving into the Atlantic, and the waves crashing on to the beach.
The hotel, generally, is not quite the best I have stayed in, but is in the top 10
We went Bed and Breakfast, the Breakfasts are very good with lots of choice.
Evening meals are expensive, but mostly good quality. We ate out at Crown Point on some nights.
The Taxi fare is 70TT each way [£7] The meals in Crown Point, are probably half the price, and good quality.
The Hotel grounds are excellent, with tons of birdlife, and even Caimen.
Tobago is a big little island, especially if you are a nature lover, with excellent Reefes, and Tropical Rainforest.
It isnt a nightclub kinda place, just unspoilt, which I liked very much.

  • Stayed May 2012, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask alanhall52 about Magdalena Grand Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
London
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Excellent ! Visit NOW for a heavenly relaxing break.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012
8
people found this review helpful

Have just returned from a week with 2 young children and it really is lovely. Have read some of the reviews on here and would like to add my views, in the hope it helps someone.
HOTEL FURNISHINGS - The hotel is newly refurbed, so everything is very much up together, lovely clean condition - furnishings are beautiful, bathrooms spotless and high spec etc. Very comfortable.
However there were a few works still going on, again I suppose we just get used to how it is in England, but there were power tools left out at times unmanned, cables to trip on and one day they were happily painting the walkways with no signs or warnings - just with a toddler running around and one in the pushchair, was a bit manic!
FOOD- As agreed by most- the food is fantastic and faultless. Amazing choice all to high standard, very tasty, fresh and delicious, best we've had.
SERVICE - Yup, service can sometimes be a bit iffy, some waitresses make u feel like you're troubling them if you ask for anything or some are just slow. Most though are friendly, helpful and made a fuss of baby. Other people that worked there ie Kerry the Bellboy was just gorgeous (that smile! swoon....) were also very friendly and helpful. But yes, bit slow. What we found incredibly annoying though was that every time you ate or ordered a drink, even though we were all inclusive they would ask for your room number and had to sign a bill / receipt. This was rather off putting, even though we didn't need to pay for anything, to be presented with a bill with expensive overpriced drinks that we had to sign was quite worrying. Admittedly we still didn't have to pay for anything at the end, but was annoying and put you off drinking. I would strongly advise all inclusive as it is expensive there. Also, as many reports say, there isn't anything else near by. This suited us, with 2 young children we didnt want to do much but may not suit others.
There was a manager guy in the restaurant, I think he's Austrian, he was very good and helpful and approachable. We had to get a doctor out to our baby (shes fine, just an ear infection)- he was fantastic and arranged it all.
FACILITIES - The shuttle bus to pigeon point is good, and whilst some say there should be buses elsewhere, we found the drivers very accommodating, so if you ask them to drop you off at the shops / mall / bank, they would. It is quite isolated though, there was only one other child there, it was mostly older couples so we felt a bit as though we were imposing on their tranquility but they didn't make us feel this way. There is a children's club and they are building a large playground so its good for young children as its quiet too (no discos etc) but teens and young couples would be bored stupid. Unless they like diving - excellent diving school there or golf (although swampy in parts so take mossie spray) there is also health suite, spa, other bars but we didnt use these. Excellent if you want a totally relaxing break with little to do but chill.
LOCATION - Yes it is on the atlantic side so beach not ideal for young children, or most people- sea very strong but the breeze is heavenly, especially after a day at pigeon point (lovely calm family friendly beach). Definately visit there- free 15 min trip there and its beautiful. Little local bars, cafes and shops there, and other than the odd tour guy, there aren't people on the beach trying to flog you anything like other Caribbean places we've been to. However the waves on the atlantic side were quite mesmorising.
Definately recommend.

  • Stayed May 2012, travelled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Magdalena Grand Beach Resort

  • Vhl Tobago Hotel
  • Vhl Tobago Scarborough
  • Hilton Tobago
  • Hilton Scarborough
Address: Tobago Plantations Estate | Lowlands, Scarborough, Tobago
Price range (per night):* INR12,266 - 18,595

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