Henrietta Road, Bath, United Kingdom | (888) 616-5829
Housed in a handsome Victorian mansion
A 10-minute flat walk to central Bath
High-end
interiors with lovely period features
Comfy king-size
beds with luxury bedding
In-room tea-making
facilities with fresh milk
Excellent
breakfast included in the rate
Private
off-street parking (rare in Bath)
Free Wi-Fi in higher-end rooms
Some bathrooms
are small
No elevator
Villa Magdala is
an upscale, 20-room bed-and-breakfast occupying a grand Victorian property that's within a 10-minute walk of the center of Bath, and all its major tourist attractions. There's no elevator, but the guesthouse's stairs are relatively shallow. Decor throughout is a lovely balance of playful
contemporary and traditional, while rooms are also comfy and bright, though
some of the bathrooms are cramped. Breakfast is a real highlight -- especially the
Bucks Fizz (mimosa) and homemade smoothies. While not the cheapest place to stay in the city, the standards of service and amenities make it a pretty good value. If it's booked, the One Three Nine Bath is another great bed-and-breakfast worth considering.
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Scene
Handsome, high-end bed and breakfast set in a lovely Victorian property with playful touches
Villa Magdala is
housed in what was originally a conjoined pair of majestic Victorian town houses
dating back to 1868 (and named after the eponymous 19th-century battle whose
commander lived nearby). Totally renovated from a previously run-down bed-and-breakfast by
husband and wife duo Amanda and John Willmott, it reopened in 2011 as a high-end guesthouse. A short set of steps lead up to a
small and tidy reception area that combines fresh white decor with antique
furnishings and trompe l'oeil wallpaper that gives the illusion of stepping
into a library. The decor throughout is a playful blend of contemporary English
design with nods to the past. It retains plenty of the building's
original features, such as the lovely shuttered sash windows, ornate coving, and a
wonderful polished wood-and-wrought-iron staircase that rises gently through
the hotel's three floors. There is also a small surrounding garden with tables
and chairs for guests to sit in when the weather is warm, while a bright and airy
breakfast room has a coal fire that sits below the ever-watchful mounted
stag's head -- dubbed Morris.
Location
Set on quiet residential street that's a level 10-minute walk to Bath's center
The guesthouse is
located on a quiet and largely residential street across the street from
Henrietta Gardens, on the outskirts of Bath's center. While
particularly convenient for those arriving by car -- it's one of the few hotels
with its own car park -- it's also within a 10-minute flat walk -- no hills to climb -- of the city's main
tourist attractions. Pulteney Bridge, which crosses the Avon River, is a
three-minute walk away, and from there it's another five-minute stroll to the Roman Baths and
Pump Rooms. Bath's main train station is also within a 10-minute walk.
Rooms
Fresh milk for tea and extra-comfy beds with luxury bedding
The Villa Magdala has 20
rooms, all of which fall into the category of Good, Better, or Best -- size being the main
difference between them. Decor also varies among rooms, though all
have a consistently fresh and contemporary feel with feature wallpaper, the
occasional traditionally styled touch, and wooden shuttered windows that face a leafy park at the front or the garden at the back. Comfy Hypnos beds are either king size or super king-size, and are topped with Egyptian
cotton sheets and goose-down duvets, while in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and
tea- and coffee-making facilities -- which include fresh milk rather than single-use
creamer. Clean and well-maintained bathrooms provide luxury Missoni toiletries. Though some lower-end bathrooms are small, luxury bathrobes and slippers
can be arranged for a fee. Ground-floor rooms are also available for those who don't wish to climb stairs, though these can receive a bit of noise from reception and
breakfast service.
Features
Outstanding breakfast service included in rate with Bucks Fizz
The hotel takes
particular pride in its breakfast service, which does provide an impressive
range of options, from the standard full English to a changing selection of pancakes,
homemade granola, and waffles -- always accompanied by a Bucks Fizz (mimosa)
and always included in the rate. There's also a pretty garden where afternoon
tea or a glass of wine can be taken during warmer weather, and the Villa
Magdala is also one of few Bath hotel's with its own off-street parking. Wi-Fi is
also available free of charge in the upper-end rooms, though it can be a little slow.
