Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Olive Hotel Magrath, Bangalore!
Unbelievable Luxury, Maybe? My Chaotic Adventure at Olive Hotel Magrath, Bangalore! 🫒 (Review)
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- Title: Olive Hotel Magrath Bangalore Review: Luxury or Just Hype? (Accessibility, Amenities, & Honest Opinion)
- Keywords: Olive Hotel Magrath, Bangalore, hotel review, luxury hotel, accessibility, spa, restaurant, pool, fitness center, wifi, Magrath Road, Bangalore hotels, India travel, accessible hotel, best hotels Bangalore
- Meta Description: My brutally honest review of Olive Hotel Magrath in Bangalore! From accessible rooms to the questionable "unbelievable luxury," I unpack the good, the bad, and the hilariously awkward moments. Get ready for a rollercoaster of opinions!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn’t your fluffy, perfectly polished hotel review. This is me, bleary-eyed and slightly hungover from a particularly enthusiastic “Happy Hour” at the Olive Hotel Magrath, Bangalore, wrestling with the question: Is this place actually luxurious, or just…pretending? Let’s dive in, shall we?
First Impressions (and a Near-Disaster):
Right, so first off, getting to the Olive Hotel. Google Maps, bless its digital heart, nearly steered me into a construction site. Excellent start. But finally, I arrived. The exterior? Sleek enough. Modern. Not overwhelmingly impressive, but definitely a step above the usual Bangalore concrete jungle. Check-in was… well, a bit of a comedy of errors. They did have contactless check-in, which I appreciated (especially post-metro ride), but the system glitched, and this poor front desk guy, bless his heart, was sweating bullets trying to sort it out. Took a few minutes, but hey, they got there in the end.
Accessibility: Did They Actually Think About This?
The good news? Yes, it seems they did. This is HUGE for me. Finding truly accessible hotels in India can be a nightmare. The lobby, elevators, and common areas generally felt accessible, which is a definite plus. The rooms (I inspected a few, thanks to the check-in chaos!) seemed to have the basics covered: wider doorways, grab bars, etc. I'd need to spend a proper stint to fully assess, but initial impressions were good. High five, Olive Hotel! This is a major win.
Rooms – So Close to Paradise (But…):
My room…OKAY. Let's talk about the room. It was the "luxury" room. There was a damn scale in the bathroom which is a hilarious and slightly cruel touch. The bed? HUGE. The bathrobes? Fluffy. The view? Perilously close to the building across the street, which means I kept the blackout curtains closed most of the time. (More on that later). But honestly, it was comfortable. The air conditioning? Thank God for that. Mandatory in Bangalore. And the free Wi-Fi? Praise the tech gods, because I needed it. I spent half my stay glued to my laptop, which is just…a sad truth about my life.
The minor annoyances: This is where the cracks start to appear. The "desk" was more of a glorified shelf. The lighting…well let's just say it was all very mood-lit, which is fine until you're trying to actually, you know, work. And that damn mirror. Why was it so low? I'm not that tall and I still had to stoop.
The blackout curtains – My New Best Friend: Alright, the blackout curtains saved me. Bangalore sun? Intense. The lack of noise insulation? Less intense, but still noticeable from the traffic on the street. Seriously, those curtains were a godsend, allowing me to sleep in and pretend I wasn't in the middle of a chaotic city.
Dining, Drinking, and Questionable Culinary Adventures:
Let’s get to the heart of the matter: the food. Ah, the food.
Breakfast Buffet – The Battleground: The breakfast buffet was…a mixed bag. "Asian breakfast" (they had a dosa station, which was a winner) and "Western breakfast" (eggs, bacon, toast – the usual suspects). The buffet was, at times, chaotic. People were jostling, the coffee machine was spitting out lukewarm brown water (I swear, I saw someone actually cry). The staff were trying their best, but it felt a little understaffed during the breakfast rush.
The Restaurants: I tried both the main restaurant (international cuisine – seemed like a safe bet) and the "Vegetarian Restaurant" (yes, really). The main restaurant was okay. Nothing mind-blowing but definitely edible. The vegetarian place? Well, let's just say I had a particularly memorable experience. I ordered a salad. It arrived swimming in some kind of creamy, suspiciously green dressing. I took a bite. My face contorted. I'm pretty sure I actually let out a little "BLECK" involuntarily. I ate it because, well, I paid for it, and I wasn't about to make a fuss (at least not right then). But…yeah, the salad. That’s one of the food experiences that I’ll always remember.
The Poolside Bar – Happy Hour Hardcore: This is where the "luxury" actually shone through a little. The poolside bar was a great place to unwind. Happy Hour deals were tempting (and effective). The cocktails were decent. Plus, I could overlook the slightly questionable weather (and questionable salad) while sipping on something fruity and watching the sunset..
Spa, Fitness, and Leisure: Working on That Body (or Not):
- The Gym…or Hell’s Waiting Room?: The fitness center was, in a word, intense. Small. Cramped. A few treadmills and some free weights. I walked in, took one look at the sweaty patrons, and walked right back out. Not for me.
- The Spa – A Touch of Bliss (Maybe): I did not try the spa. Honestly, after my salad experience, I was a little wary of anything involving "body treatments."
- The Pool with a View – It’s…Ok: The outdoor pool was nice enough, although the view wasn't as spectacular as the brochure promised. The water was clean (thank god). But it's not like you're swimming in an oasis.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did They Actually Care?
- Hygiene Heroes: I have to give them credit here. The Olive Hotel seemed to take hygiene seriously. Hand sanitizer was liberally available. The staff seemed to be taking precautions (masks, etc.). The room looked clean.
- Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available: I found that comforting, given the state of the world.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter (or Don’t):
- The Concierge – Your New Best Friend (Sometimes): The concierge was, like most of the staff, generally lovely and helpful. They helped with a few taxi bookings and even helped locate a decent coffee shop, which was a life-saver
- Daily Housekeeping – Standard Fare Yes. They made the bed. They replaced the towels. They cleaned the bathroom. All the usual.
- Laundry Service – Not the Cheapest: The laundry service was available. But, unsurprisingly, on the pricey side.
- Elevator – I Like Elevators: I don't think there's much to say here. It worked.
- Safety Deposit Boxes – Always a Good Idea: Good to have, though I didn’t use it.
For the Kids (And the Babysitters Who Deal with Them):
No kids this time, but the facilities seemed minimal. I don’t know if there was a dedicated play area or anything.
Getting Around:
- Taxi Service – Available: Yes. Used it, and no problems
- Car Park – Free: Another plus.
- Airport Transfer – available: Thank God.
Final Verdict: Unbelievable…ly Average?
Look, the Olive Hotel Magrath isn’t bad. It’s comfortable. It’s clean. It’s got a decent pool. The staff are generally friendly. Accessibility is a definite plus.
But is it “unbelievable luxury”? No. Not really. It’s a perfectly pleasant hotel, but it’s got its quirks and imperfections. I wouldn’t necessarily rush back, but I also wouldn't actively avoid it. My biggest wish would be for the hotel to take more risks with the design and the food. Do something wild! Create a truly memorable experience.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Maybe a 4 if they hire a new salad chef.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, with caveats. If you're looking for a comfortable, accessible hotel in a central location in Bangalore, and don't mind some minor imperfections, then the Olive Hotel Magrath is a solid choice. Just lower your expectations for "unbelievable luxury" and be prepared for a few questionable dining decisions. And go easy on the Happy Hour. Seriously. You'll regret it in the morning.
Unbelievable Kampung Stay Near Kinabalu Park! (OYO 90284)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get the unfiltered, probably slightly caffeinated, and definitely not perfectly curated version of my adventure at the Olive Hotel Magrath in Bangalore. This isn't your sterile, bullet-pointed itinerary; it's more like a stream-of-consciousness journey through my brain and the humid, chaotic beauty of Bangalore.
The Olive Hotel Magrath: My Bangalore Brain Dump
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Curry Caper
9:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Kempegowda International Airport. Whoa. Humidity. It hits you like a warm, fuzzy blanket woven from a thousand sweaty bodies. Taxi ride to The Olive. My driver, bless his soul, drove like he was playing a real-life version of Mario Kart. I arrived intact, though slightly nauseous from the swerving and honking. (Bangalore traffic is a whole OTHER beast, more on that later)
11:00 AM: Check-in. The lobby is surprisingly chic, a welcome contrast to the chaos outside. They've got this minimalist vibe with pops of bright colour. My room? Small but perfectly formed. Perfect for a solo traveller with a questionable sense of personal space. Actually, scratch that. Maybe a smidge too small. Where to even put…everything?
12:00 PM: Lunch: The in-house restaurant is calling. Honestly, I'm starving. Order a chicken butter masala. (Why not go all out?) Ahhh, the first bite. Holy. Cow. This is why I travel. I'd risk a thousand dodgy street food carts for this mouthful of gravy heaven. I swear, I could have licked the plate clean. No shame.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Rest, or at least try to rest. Jet lag is a sneaky little devil. My attempts at a nap failed. Too much excitement. Too hot. Too many noises. Finally gave up and decided to explore. That included a (very) quick dip in the rooftop pool. It was crowded, and the water wasn't exactly crystal clear, but the view of the city was pretty damn good from up there.
6:00PM: Exploring Bangalore- The Traffic Conundrum!
- So, I decided to be brave and venture forth. I wanted to see something, anything beyond the hotel walls. The plan? A quick trip to a local market - or so I thought. Bangalore traffic is a sentient entity. It's a slow-motion ballet of chaos and horns. It's a thing of beauty and horror. It felt like the taxi (another wild ride!) must have spent 4 hours doing approximately a mile. I'm not even kidding. I actually had to mentally prepare myself for the ordeal. I now understand why people just stay inside the hotel and get food delivered. I'd like to take a nap but I can't.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ish): Dinner: Back at the hotel. I'm exhausted. But I've got to eat. Another curry. Not the same one as at lunch. Variety is the spice of life, right? I had a lovely chat with the sommelier, a young guy with an infectious laugh, who guided me through the wine list. I ordered something local, and it was fantastic.
9:00 PM: Final Thought
- Back in my room, I'm feeling a strange mix of exhilaration and complete and utter overwhelm. Welcome to Bangalore. It'll be an unforgettable experience, I just know it.
Day 2: Temples, Tea and Terrible Luck
8:00 AM: Wake up. Jet lag is finally loosening its grip. Still feel a little…off. Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet is incredible, but I'm still dreaming of that butter chicken.
9:00 AM: Hit the road (again!). This time I opted for a private driver. Expensive, but worth it for my sanity. First stop: the ISKCON Temple. Absolutely stunning. Marble, gold, chanting… it was sensory overload in the best possible way. I managed to get a glimpse of a monk meditating. I'm not sure if I felt enlightened, but I felt… something.
11:00 AM: The Coffee Craving (and the Disaster)
- On the way to the next temple, I craved coffee. Seriously, nothing could stop me
- So, we pulled over at a small place that looked promising. And it turns into a disaster. The espresso machine broke just as I was about to order. And then, a passing scooter driver had a minor accident and, for some reason, his scooter landed on the roof of the car.
1:00 PM: Lunch: Still thinking about the coffee disaster. I had ordered some sort of South Indian dish, which promptly ended up all over my shirt. (Note to self: wear dark colors.)
2:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a quick nap and to change clothes.
3:00 PM: I decide to walk to a nearby park. Fresh air, exercise, blah, blah. Bangalore parks are lovely, but you're constantly dodging monkeys. I swear, these guys have a vendetta against tourists.
4:00 PM: I am going to buy things - or, attempt to. This is where I spent a good two hours trying to find a specific type of spice I'd read about. Finally, I got it and went back to the hotel, feeling like a small victory.
7:00 PM: Emotional Breakdown.
- The day has been tough to say the least. I just really missed my friend. I called her. I almost cried. She listened and told me it was ok. I was going to be ok. And then, I felt better.
8:00 PM: Dinner: Back to the Olive, again. Ordered something safe - chicken tikka. I needed comfort food.
9:00 PM: In bed, reflecting on the day. It wasn't perfect, not even close. But I saw things, felt things. I’m learning stuff. And that, I remind myself, is the whole point of travel.
Day 3: Shopping, Last Bites and the Farewell
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Ate way too much. This is going to be a problem.
- 10:00 AM: Final shopping spree. Souvenirs! Spices! All that jazz.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: One last glorious meal at the hotel. Of course, it involved curry.
- 2:00 PM: Packing. An art form. An excruciating, time-consuming art form. Clothes everywhere. Seriously, how did I accumulate so much stuff in just three days?
- 4:00 PM: A final dip in the pool. Soak up the last of the sun.
- 5:00 PM: Check out. Saying goodbye to the friendly staff at the Olive. They were great.
- 6:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. The ride is (relatively) uneventful. Maybe I'm just getting used to the chaos.
- 8:00 PM: Take off. Looking back at the city, filled with a weird mix of exhaustion and elation.
Final Thoughts:
Bangalore, you magnificent, maddening, messy beauty. The Olive Hotel Magrath was a solid base camp for my adventure. It was clean, comfortable, and the food…oh, the food! I ate more curry than is probably healthy. Did everything go to plan? Absolutely not. Did I have moments of complete and utter frustration? Yes. Did I want to leave early at times? Maybe. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It was raw, real, and utterly unforgettable. I’ll be back. Eventually. Maybe. After I recover. And work on my traffic coping mechanisms. And find a permanent stash of butter chicken.
Escape to Paradise: Namhae Kkotnae Maeul's Stunning Pension Awaits!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Olive Hotel Magrath, Bangalore - FAQ (and My God, What a Ride!)
Is the Olive Hotel *really* as luxurious as they say?
Okay, real talk. I've stayed in "luxury" hotels before that felt more like glorified hostels with a fancy chandelier. The Olive Hotel? Yeah, it lives up to the hype. Like, seriously. First impressions? BOOM. Impeccable service. Seriously, the doormen were practically psychic. I was about to ask for a taxi, and poof, one magically appeared. Felt like I was in a Bond movie, minus the explosions (thankfully). The rooms? Think clouds, but made of Egyptian cotton and with a minibar that’ll make your credit card weep. And that shower? Oh. My. God. I'd write poetry about that shower if I wasn't so busy just, well, *existing* in it. Luxury? Check. Over-the-top? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
What's the food like? Because, let's be honest, hotel food can be… hit or miss.
Right? Hotel food. Ugh. Been there, choked that down (mostly because the room service was the only game in town at 2 AM). But the Olive? This is where it gets interesting. The breakfast buffet? Devine! Okay, I went HAM on the dosa station. The chef was this amazing lady, always smiling, remembering my coffee preference (black, no sugar – she made me feel like a regular!). The in-room dining? Also divine. I ordered biryani one night, and it was probably the best biryani I’ve ever had. I mean, I'm not an expert, but I'm *opinionated*. The only real downside? My pants felt about a size too small by the end of my stay. Worth it. Every. Single. Bite.
Is it accessible, like, actually accessible for people with mobility issues?
Okay, this is something I’m genuinely impressed by. I actually *asked* about this because I know a few people who have mobility challenges, and I wanted to see how they measured up. The hotel staff were super helpful and showed me around. The ramps were smooth and well-placed, elevators were spacious, and the accessible rooms were seriously well-equipped. Not just a token grab bar in the shower kinda setup. It felt like they really *thought* about it. KUDOS, Olive Hotel! Seriously, you get extra points for that. It’s easy to slap a fancy facade on things, but it takes real effort to be truly inclusive.
The location – Is it convenient or a nightmare? Bangalore traffic can be… intense.
Okay, let's be real. Bangalore traffic is a special circle of... well, you get the idea. But The Olive Hotel? Pretty good. Magrath Road is central, which is a plus. You're close to a lot of stuff. Shopping, restaurants, the whole shebang. BUT. Traffic. It can be brutal. However, the hotel does have a good car service that can work around the traffic, and I suggest using it. Also, the peace and quiet inside the hotel, once you're in, is a welcome escape from the honking symphony outside. It's well worth the (sometimes) slow crawl, for the oasis that awaits.
What about the Wi-Fi? (Because, priorities.)
Fast. Reliable. Didn’t drop out once. Seriously. I could have been streaming cat videos all day (and I may have been…), and the connection held strong. This is actually a big deal, people. Nothing kills a good vacation faster than a buffering screen. The Olive Hotel, you passed the internet test with flying colors. Bonus points for being easy to connect to. I’m technically challenged, so anything that requires me to enter a password more than once is a no-go. This was smooth sailing.
What's the vibe like? Is it stuffy or relaxing?
Okay, so here's where I got the *slightest* moment of panic. First few hours? Felt a little… fancy. A little… intimidating. Lots of polished surfaces and perfectly coiffed guests. I felt a little out of place, honestly, in my travel-stained jeans (yep, I'm a travel blogger, and I *look* it sometimes!). But it didn’t take long to relax. The staff were super friendly (not in a fake way, but genuinely helpful), and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Definitely not stuffy. It had a really nice balance between luxury and a bit of a chill vibe. I actually ended up just sitting in the lobby reading, taking in the atmosphere one evening. It felt… comfortable. Which, when you're paying for luxury, is exactly what you want, right?
Is there a gym/spa? Because, let's face it, all that amazing food requires some… balance.
YES. And also, I hear you. The gym is well-equipped, not huge, but it had everything I needed. The spa? Now *there* is where it's at. I got a massage. One of the best massages of my entire life. I actually went twice. The masseuse? Magic hands. Honestly. It was so relaxing I almost fell asleep. I might have drooled a little. Don't judge me! After the massage, I was so relaxed, I just wandered around the spa area for a bit, enjoying the tranquility. It almost made me want to *stay* forever. Almost.
Anything I should REALLY know before booking? Any hidden downsides?
Okay, this is where I get real. Here’s the thing: if you're on a shoestring budget, this ain't the place for you. It’s expensive. Like, proper luxury expensive. But, you're paying for it. Secondly, the coffee at the in-room dining service was a teensy bit underwhelming. Honestly, I'm a coffee snob, sue me! Okay, and the elevators were a *little* slow at peak times. But honestly, those are tiny quibbles. My biggest "complaint?" That I had to leave! I genuinely didn't want to go. It was that good. If you can afford it, *go*. Seriously. Just… go. Pack your best pajamas (or don't – I’m pretty sure they'd still offer you the best service on the planet even if you wear your oldest, hole-y ones) and prepare to be pampered. You deserve it.
What's the best time to go? Avoid the crowds, maybe?
Okay, this is pure, unadulterated, experience speaking. I went in... November, I think it was? The weather was PERFECT. Glorious.Top Places To Stay
