I stayed at the Hotel Magdala with my family in June of 2012 and I could not fault it in any way.
The rooms were immaculately clean, were very well equipped, had excellent facilities, and the beds were most comfortable. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and they could not have been more helpful..
Generally British Bedrooms do tend to be much smaller than we have in the US, but having spent over a month touring Britain and staying in similar establishments, the rooms at the Magdala were much large and better than most I experienced.
The major asset of the hotel is its location. It is right in the centre of the city, but it is located in a quiet street. Parking in the city is a nightmare so the fact that the Magdala has its own car park is a wonderful bonus.
I understand from the owners that they are refurbishing the hotel throughout during the winter break of 2012, and they will then also have rooms on the ground floor for anyone less mobile.
When using B&B, Guest Houses, and Small Hotels I found most do not have baggage handlers. I was warned about this in advance by our british Travel Company (Midway Motor Travel of Britain) so as they said, you are going to uses this type of establishments the rule is "if you can't handle it yourself don’t bring it". This proved good advice.
I have to say at the Magdala the staff helped with our baggage and we noticed they did the same for all guests.
I was so disappointed to read a recent subscriber from Singapore knock the Villa Magadala because it has stairs. The hotel is a top quality Guest House Style Hotel, and as such most people would expect to have to climb stairs.
If you want to stay at the Magdala but cannot cope with any stairs, simply ask for one of their new ground floor rooms when you book.
The thing NOT to do is to book their cheapest a room, not specify you can’t manage stairs, then moan about it afterwards.
North Americans should bear in mind that in England their “Ground Floor” is our “First Floor” - The North American “Second floor” is the English “First Floor”.
Of course, there the option is stay at a large chain, impersonal hotel with no ambiance or character. This will cost you at least double if not three or four times the cost of the Magdala plus horrendous parking fees, but.... you will have an elevator.
All in all, Dollar-for-Dollar, Yen-for-Yen, and British Pound-for-Pound, the Magdala is excellent value for money and certainly one of the best places I stayed at in during my month in Britain.
Constance Young.
Milford Connecticut. USA
