Free buffet breakfast offers many hot items, including an omelet station
A short drive from the airport
Cons
Rough waters aren't as pretty as those on the Caribbean side
Dinner meals are overpriced (the evening buffet is tasty enough, but not worth the $50 price tag)
Rooms show some wear and tear
Bottom Line
An upper-middle-range beachfront property, the Grand Magdalena (like many resorts on Tobago) offers rooms at reasonable rates; the price covers a buffet breakfast, bicycle rentals, shuttles to a nearby beach, and numerous other freebies. Facilities include a fitness center, large pool, and nearby spa, and the hotel has numerous restaurant and bar options (although the restaurants can be overpriced). Rooms are simple, and some furniture shows wear and tear, but all feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and best of all, ocean views.
The Magdalena is a laid-back resort that caters to all types of travelers.
Though Tobago is the "resort town" to neighboring Trinidad, it is relatively small and does not boast many hotels. Fortunately, most -- including Magdalena -- are very affordable, especially compared to the hotels on other Caribbean islands, such as nearby Barbados and St. Lucia.
The Magdalena sits on the Atlantic side of the island, a short drive from the airport and the capital city of Scarborough.
Just off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago is a small Caribbean country at the end of the chain of islands. While Trinidad is the larger, more industrialized island (and also home to a significant amount of crime), Tobago is the smaller "resort" island. Though tourism isn't a major industry for the country, plenty of visitors head to Tobago for its bird-watching, diving, and relatively unspoiled nature.
About once a week, flights go directly from major airports such as JFK in New York City and Miami International to Tobago. Generally, however, visitors must fly into Trinidad and then take either a 20-minute plane ride, or a 2-hour ferry, to Tobago.
15-minute drive to the ANR Tobago airport
20-minute drive to Scarborough, Tobago's capital city
25-minute drive to Pigeon Point beach
25-minute drive to Mt. Irvine Beach, great for surfing
30-minute drive to Turtle Beach, where turtles nest February through August
Rough waters and a lot of seaweed debris, but the views are nice.
The Magdalena sits on the Atlantic side of Tobago, so unlike the crystal clear, calm waters of the Caribbean, the ocean here is a bit rough. It also churns up quite a bit of seaweed, which floats in the water and winds up on the sand.
Still, the beach is swimmable on calmer days, and guests can relax beachside on comfy loungers. Several umbrellas are set up on the sand for those seeking shade, and the hotel loans beach towels (although you have to sign them in and out).
Rooms are standard for a mid-range property, but all have ocean views.
Rooms at the Magdalena are standard for a mid-range Caribbean property: beds are topped with floral comforters and furniture shows a bit of wear and tear. But they are very spacious, all feature ocean views, and the bathrooms are a highlight, with separate showers and deep soaking tubs.
Upgrading to a one- or two-bedroom suite means guests can enjoy a private outdoor whirlpool, and the two-bedroom suites have pullout sofas in the living areas. Cribs and rollaways are available for all rooms.
