Author Topic: Eilat, Israel, Master Thread (Read 113504 times)

shiframeir · « **Reply #120 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:17:34 PM »

hoping to come down there in a couple weeks with a 4 year old and 6 year old (and stay at the le meriden eilat w/points), does anyone know if it is worth it to be there when the temp is only at like 66 (high)? will the unheated pools just be too cold, and nothing to do with kids? also, any experience with the mashgiach at the Le Meridien?

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #121 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:31:32 PM »

Quote from: shiframeir on January 06, 2013, 04:17:34 PM

and nothing to do with kids?

What about the aquarium there? I am going to be down in Eilat for a day in a few weeks as well(after Ein Gedi/Masada etc). From what I heard not all cheese will be a good Kashrus but almost everything should be fine(if not there are plenty of Glatt places in Eilat, if you need some ideas let me know.)

moish · « **Reply #122 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:32:25 PM »

Quote from: CholentTheTraveler on January 06, 2013, 04:31:32 PM

there are plenty of Glatt places in Eilat,

definitely not plenty

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #123 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:34:18 PM »

Quote from: moish on January 06, 2013, 04:32:25 PM

definitely not plenty

The places I have is at the moment 7 and that is with little effort(I asked one friend for links).

moish · « **Reply #124 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:44:37 PM »

Quote from: CholentTheTraveler on January 06, 2013, 04:34:18 PM

The places I have is at the moment 7 and that is with little effort(I asked one friend for links).

can you name them?

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #125 on:** January 06, 2013, 04:54:26 PM »

Quote from: moish on January 06, 2013, 04:44:37 PM

can you name them?

Not at work where I have them saved but here is a sample and I guess 7 for Israel is not that many

http://www.cafecafe.co.il/default.asp?pageid=17&branch_id=126
http://www.shipud.co.il/branch/view/id/7

moish · « **Reply #126 on:** January 06, 2013, 05:03:32 PM »

Quote from: CholentTheTraveler on January 06, 2013, 04:54:26 PM

Not at work where I have them saved but here is a sample and I guess 7 for Israel is not that many

http://www.cafecafe.co.il/default.asp?pageid=17&branch_id=126
http://www.shipud.co.il/branch/view/id/7

im not sure what you had in mind by 'glatt', but there are definitely not 7 restaurants in eilat with quality hashgachos. not even close.

whats the difference between miami and eilat? miami has kosher food and beaches...

Galitzyaner · « **Reply #127 on:** January 06, 2013, 07:28:30 PM »

Quote from: moish on January 06, 2013, 05:03:32 PM

im not sure what you had in mind by 'glatt', but there are definitely not 7 restaurants in eilat with quality hashgachos. not even close.

whats the difference between miami and eilat? miami has kosher food and beaches...

+1 Well said!
Dream on, Cholent.

Deal Guy · « **Reply #128 on:** January 19, 2013, 09:25:04 PM »

Where can i find cheap tickets to Eilat? Whats the usual price?

sky121 · « **Reply #129 on:** January 19, 2013, 09:26:46 PM »

Quote from: Deal Guy on January 19, 2013, 09:25:04 PM

Where can i find cheap tickets to Eilat? Whats the usual price?

Travelocity. Orbitz. Etc. $50-$100 roundtrip.

Deal Guy · « **Reply #130 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:18:24 AM »

Any Eilat deals, flight+hotel? Looking at feb 12-14 for 2 nights?
Also, a cheap hotel is fine as long as its decent. I'm not familiar with any hotels there. Which are the cheap hotels there that are ok for a couple? Thanks

sky121 · « **Reply #131 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:05:48 AM »

Quote from: Deal Guy on January 20, 2013, 01:18:24 AM

Any Eilat deals, flight+hotel? Looking at feb 12-14 for 2 nights?
Also, a cheap hotel is fine as long as its decent. I'm not familiar with any hotels there. Which are the cheap hotels there that are ok for a couple? Thanks

IME when looking for deals for Eilat your best off talking to a TA there. Or you can check Arkia.com. They use to have some decent deals.

Deal Guy · « **Reply #132 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:49:27 AM »

Quote from: sky121 on January 20, 2013, 02:05:48 AM

IME when looking for deals for Eilat your best off talking to a TA there. Or you can check Arkia.com. They use to have some decent deals.

Thanks

shiframeir · « **Reply #133 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:45:57 PM »

At Le Meridien Eilat right now (checked in today, weather is amazing!). Questions? here is my initial write-up (still here through wednesday):

I am absolutely wowed by how the staff at Le Meridien Eilat have been amazing for me, and they have actually reached Westin Diplomat FL status in my eyes (high praise indeed!) After emailing a request through Fattal to be upgraded to a 2br on our 3 night reservation, they gave us a gorgeous 2br suite with full ocean view from private deck with tanning bed etc. so me and my wife have a private BR with bath, and the kids have their own twin bed room with bath, plus there is a nice LR/DR with fridge etc. and 3 lcd tvs total. only thing missing is robes, but they have extra fluffy towels! as a note, i am here for the next few days, and while the water in the pool is not warm, its definitely not too cold to swim.

As an added unexpected surprise, they gave us an amazing little welcome on our dining table, a nice bottle of cabernet (badatz of course), some glasses, a bottle of imported mineral water and Ferrer Roche chocolates! Fattal has really stepped it up, and i hope they stay a Starwood member for many return visits!

MovingYid · « **Reply #134 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:01:29 PM »

Quote from: shiframeir on January 20, 2013, 01:45:57 PM

After emailing a request through Fattal to be upgraded to a 2br on our 3 night reservation, they gave us a gorgeous 2br suite with full ocean view from private deck with tanning bed etc. so me and my wife have a private BR with bath, and the kids have their own twin bed room with bath, plus there is a nice LR/DR with fridge etc. and 3 lcd tvs total. only thing missing is robes, but they have extra fluffy towels! as a note, i am here for the next few days, and while the water in the pool is not warm, its definitely not too cold to swim.

When I called SPG they stated they might not be around for long as SPG has a hotel coming soon in Jordan but hope the rep was just missed informed.

What SPG status are you? When you emailed to be upgraded did they respond quickly or only when you got there?
The wine was your selected welcome gift or something on top?
Also, please let us know how good the breakfast is mitzad kashrus as I heard conflicting reports. Also breakfast including in SPG booking or not?

I am going there in a week and they emailed me back informing parking is free(which in my eyes is a win).

Deal Guy · « **Reply #135 on:** January 21, 2013, 12:36:54 AM »

Quote from: shiframeir on January 20, 2013, 01:45:57 PM

At Le Meridien Eilat right now (checked in today, weather is amazing!). Questions? here is my initial write-up (still here through wednesday):

I am absolutely wowed by how the staff at Le Meridien Eilat have been amazing for me, and they have actually reached Westin Diplomat FL status in my eyes (high praise indeed!) After emailing a request through Fattal to be upgraded to a 2br on our 3 night reservation, they gave us a gorgeous 2br suite with full ocean view from private deck with tanning bed etc. so me and my wife have a private BR with bath, and the kids have their own twin bed room with bath, plus there is a nice LR/DR with fridge etc. and 3 lcd tvs total. only thing missing is robes, but they have extra fluffy towels! as a note, i am here for the next few days, and while the water in the pool is not warm, its definitely not too cold to swim.

As an added unexpected surprise, they gave us an amazing little welcome on our dining table, a nice bottle of cabernet (badatz of course), some glasses, a bottle of imported mineral water and Ferrer Roche chocolates! Fattal has really stepped it up, and i hope they stay a Starwood member for many return visits!

Do you have a jacuzzi on your porch? Do you know if the jacuzzu rooms are an upgrade or downgrade vs what you currently have?

moish · « **Reply #136 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:14:29 AM »

as a plat upgrade, i received a 2 bedroom suite with jacuzzi on the porch

when i was there, the whole hotel reeked of cigarette smoke. is that always the case?

shiframeir · « **Reply #137 on:** January 21, 2013, 04:24:49 PM »

sorry, been having fun.

1) i am just an SPG Gold, but they responded to my email after 3-4 days saying they will try to accomodate me. when i came in they said they had upgraded me to the 2br with view, but note that i didnt get the jacuzzi suite (and didnt ask for it, didnt want to be too greedy).

2) wine etc. came out of nowhere, as a gold they just gave it to me and i appreciate it. have been really impressed all around with this place and service/smiles by everyone, except that the sun leaves the pool area by noon and in winter the pool is really cold b/c of it.

3) kashrus/breakfast - a question for your rav. i met the mashgiach who is an orthodox nice man (davened with the minyan with nice kavanah

who i trust, and my LOR said it would be ok to eat milchig breakfast with a rabbanut. mitzad yumminess, must say this may be the best breakfast i have ever had. Would note that on spg it looks like breakfast does not come free with point stays (like mine), but they gave it to me anyway as a gold. as i said, haven't been treated this well since Westin Diplomat.

4) parking is free and plentiful, and kosher mehadrin places are in close walking distance (burgers bar 5 mins, cafe cafe in mall 3 min away).

5) no jacuzzi, not sure whether upgrade or downgrade, but didn't want to be greedy and the mrs./kids don't like it anyway.

6) i have not noticed cig smoke, but love the room smell whenever i come in, which is just good hotel smell. maybe b/c hotel is half full now?

7) for those with kids, note that the kids club is not like in other spgs where u can just leave kids for a few hours, u need to have one parent stay with them! on the plus, it is free (Westin Dip is $60 per day), but not as useful to get a little break.

i think i answered everything, sorry no high class fisking but i'm relatively new.

moish · « **Reply #138 on:** January 21, 2013, 04:58:57 PM »

like i said with the lmds

heres a perfect example of when coming in with the right attitude, everythings peachy...

Chaikel · « **Reply #139 on:** January 22, 2013, 01:13:37 AM »

Quote from: moish on January 21, 2013, 04:58:57 PM

like i said with the lmds

heres a perfect example of when coming in with the right attitude, everythings peachy...

I would say that is true of Israel as a country

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Author Topic: Eilat, Israel, Master Thread (Read 113504 times)