The Hotel Magnolia LLC — Restaurant in Foley

When we booked a "luxury hotel" we expected great service,attention to details, and kind, interactive inn keepers and staff. While the Staff here was cordial there wasn't the usual attention to details that we would expect to see in a luxury hotel. Details matter and set apart luxury from the typical.

We were greeted upon arrival, quickly shown around and to our room, which was unexpectedly tiny. The "walk in closet" was a typical sized closet. In an old building we expect sloping floors but the one in our room (The Snook Room) was extreme. It wasn't a big deal to us but to an elderly couple who may be unsteady already, it could be a falling hazard. We joked about going uphill to the bathroom. The head of the bed was lower than our feet. No biggy, it was a comfortable bed at least.

The hotel is beautiful. I loved the old time beauty and furnishings. The exterior and furnishings were dusted and clean. Everything in our room was clean with the exception of the vent intake over the bed which was very dirty. The hall and room smelled mildewy but none was seen anywhere.

A/C is controlled by the office but no one is there past 9pm should you need it adjusted.

There is a mini bar available for wine or a drink, but no water in sight. Once you drink your two bottles of water in the room upon arrival, there's none available elsewhere...make sure you bring your own or you'll be thirsty!

We stayed for 3 nights and there was never any room care that you see in hotels, much less a "luxury hotel." As we were leaving to explore the first day, we were asked if we'd need more towels, the inn keeper said she'd put them at our door and they were there when we returned later that evening. She did make sure we had new towels at the door each night when we returned.

While it wasn't terrible, it wasn't a stay I'd repeat. Details matter in an experience. Here's more details that mattered to me.

Breakfast was served in the big commercial serving containers and while it was hot, it was no better than normal hotel food at any other hotel that serves "southern style breakfast"...the biscuits tasted canned and on the second day I couldn't even eat the bacon because it tasted almost rancid.

The third night we were the only ones there, no other staff or visitors. On the next morning we finally found someone and told them we would not stay for breakfast. We decided this after seeing the same spoon and dirty saucer left from the day before when there were other visitors. There was a fresh pot of coffee. There were no coffee stirrers and only one spoon for adding sugar and stirring. So, basically if you went back for more coffee you could stir it with the same spoon each person had also stirred their coffee with and who knows how many times they went for a refill. Luxury details I'd expect would be the creamers in nice labeled bottles not the store bought plastic containers, as well as availability of half and half or cream. The Folgers coffee container should be put away or at least the coffee in a nice jar for easy access. Hot water and tea bags for those who like hot tea instead of coffee. A fridge or pantry with water. And individual coffee stirrers would be great.

We ate at the little breakfast diner down the street and the food was much better than the Magnolia's.

The hall our room was on had a little room with a sink and ice maker. Dishes were left in the sink the whole visit, I saw them there the first night and I took a picture the morning we left.

The room was dark, which is fine, but there was no way to open the shades for natural light to apply makeup or enjoy the sun. The shades opened at some time in its history but have not been kept in working order.

As stated above, it wasn't terrible but it wasn't what I'd expect in a hotel self described...

Hotel Magnolia is a Foley Landmark that has been in operation since 1908. This 2 story, 10 bedroom hotel was built by John Burton Foley, a Chicago businessman which the City of Foley was named after. John B Foley had purchased 55,000 acres of land in Baldwin County from Magnolia Springs to Elberta and helped fund the L&N Railroad which spurred development in the area. The hotel was built for a place to stay for investors coming to the area so it’s always been a hotel until 1967 when John McClure Snook bought the building where he used it as a private residence for a time. This is where he met the love of his life, Marjorie. Marjorie was familiar with the hotel as a small child. She recalls wishing she could own that house. In fact, her parents George and Ida Younce stayed at Hotel Magnolia on their wedding night, April 3rd, 1913.

Mr Snook owned Gulf Telephone Company which was started by his father. This company brought telephone communications to South Baldwin County. He added the second floor porch, custom wrought iron corn stalk fence and bell tower. But the most mysterious addition was the secret tunnel which connected the Magnolia Inn with his telephone business behind the hotel. This solid concrete tunnel built in the 1940’s is 6 feet below the ground which served as a secret passage from the Gulf Telephone Company and The Hotel Magnolia. It was also built as a refuge in the event the Soviets attacked the Gulf Coast. Snook was very concerned the Gulf Coast was vulnerable to a soviet attack that he trained the women in his telephone company how to shoot guns. Snook was very public about this training that the women sharp shooters were called Snooks “Nylon Army”. Don’t mess with us was a message heard loud and clear as evidenced by an articled titled ‘Russian writer berates Snook and Nylon Army’ written by P Hamilton. The tunnel still exists, however, is sealed off and not accessible to the public.

Step back in time and experience the Hotel Magnolia in its original glory. The 10 rooms are ornate and decorated with beautiful antiques from a lost era. This is a perfect spot for a romantic wedding and honeymoon too. The next time you visit Alabama or before you head to the beach, talk to Tricia and check into this wonderful piece of history and learn about the very beginnings of the growth of Baldwin County. This wonderful historic hotel will be worth the trip and a memory you will cherish for years.

Try the newly opened restaurant… June 8, 2023! Limited opening menu with Fantastic dishes that matches what you would expect from the owner of Fish River Grill! Very cool ambience with black top tables, central bar with crystal lighting fixtures and 80’s music!! I...

Let me just start off by saying that the decor is beautiful. This is the reason for 2 stars. After sitting and watching the staff look at us. We decided to leave. I firmly believe that people go there to die. The grim reaper was waiting in the courtyard for desert. The average age of the patrons was equivalent to that of a nursing home. I believe the staff participated in this "end of life" event for these folks. The service in this establishment mirrors the elderly customer base. With that being said. I will not go back. If you would like to eat in the same decade. By all means, go! If you would like to eat at an establishment within this century without the possibility of an ambulance viewing. GO ELSEWHERE!

This has nothing to do with the contributions of the elderly. I acknowledge all of the contributions made by them. As well as the freedoms we all have today. My comments regarding the elderly were sarcasm. I am very aware of the area. I've lived here for over 30 years. And before you speak. I'm very close to retirement age. My comments were intended to roast your establishment for horrible service towards working class people and a younger generation. Your delinquent staff could of at least acknowledged us. Instead, they walked right by us several times. They catered more to the elderly who have nothing but time on their hands. (And yes, there was a couple of retirees sitting right beside us.) Myself on the other hand. I have things to do. One of the individuals that was with me told me not to go because he waited 2.5 hours to get his dinner the first and only time he went. I insisted. He was right! And I also COMPLIMENTED you on the decor. I wasn't being sarcastic. Otherwise, it would have been 1 star. Obviously you don't comprehend that! Maybe you should go back and read your reviews instead of trying to turn this around as if I'm mocking the retirement home. My comments were intended to get attention! IT WORKED!!! BTW I'm not the only one that has had a very similar experience. Think about the ones that don't review your establishment. My And don't worry. You will never have to worry about myself or anyone I know that will go to your establishment. I'm still going to leave the 2 star review. The building is great. Maybe you could turn it...