Help me plan Israel getaway

amother

Wed, Oct 30 2024, 8:18 pm

Im traveling to Israel for a wedding, my husband, I and teenage daughter. It will be my daughters first time.. Were starting out in Haifa cuz thats where my husbands rebba is situated and were having a simcha there... After that we wanna do about 5 nights in Yerushalayim... I feel like id treat my self to a high end hotel with some nice amenities for one night. What are suggestions considering my locations? Maybe Nirvana? Just heard the name many times, but no idea what theres to do there...
Any suggestions welcome... especially considering the war and limiting attractions...

amother

↑ Poinsettia ↓

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 1:59 am

essie14 wrote:

The Orient is fancy, and has an indoor and outdoor pool and gorgeous spa and amazing food.

The Inbal has newly renovated rooms and also has really good food, and their pool is covered and heated in the winter.

King David, Waldorf, David Citadel, Mamilla Hotel - all high end.

I dont think they have separate swimming hours if that is what you are looking for (you can ask), Ramada has separate swimming...

OP, for a treat - try one of the fancier hotels friday morning breakfasts. Totally over the top. If you stay your one night at the hotel, make it Thursday night so you can enjoy the breakfast? (make sure its included - you can ask). Just know that weekend rates are from Thursday night to Motzai Shabbos in Israel (not Fri to Sun as in the states).

↑ essie14

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 2:00 am

amother Poinsettia wrote:

Friday breakfasts are the same as breakfast on every other day. She doesn't specifically have to be there on Friday morning.

DrMom ↓

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 2:01 am

amother OP wrote:

Hi, when are you travelling?

Just be aware that the Haifa area has had quite a few missile attacks from our lovely neighbors up North, so if the war is still going on when you arrive, you may want to limit your time there, and make sure your accommodation has a shelter nearby.

Re: attractions: As of now, most things in Jerusalem are unaffected.

Re: hotels: I'm not sure staying in Jerusalem for 5 nights and switching to a fancy hotel for 1 night while you are there makes sense. One night in a hotel = checking in at 3pm and leaving by 11am, so that's not even a full day. Unless you are staying there over Shabbat (late check out, fancy (and $$$) arranged meals, etc.), I don't think it's worth the hassle of switching hotels, etc. Just my 2 cents. But if you do go that route, there are plenty of choices. What hecshers do you require?

I never heard of the Nirvana hotel in Jerusalem. There are hotels by that name at the Dead Sea and in Eilat.

amother

↑ Poinsettia ↓

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 2:33 am

DrMom wrote:

Dead Sea Nirvana has been renamed to Leonardo Club decades ago, and is not as fancy as it once was, however it is totally fun and family-friendly place, its all-inclusive - so includes 3 meals a day plus lots of snacks and open bar (coffee, simple drinks, sometimes ice-pops) all day, entertainment etc. The food is not the greatest in the area but passable. If you are chareidi, some groups take over the hotel and make it totally chareidi friendly including lectures and entertainment. The beach is right on their property and its right next to the separate swimming beach if that helps.

Eilat has a Nirvana if she is going down there. But if she wants a one nighter in an upscale, I would choose the Queen of Sheba there.

amother

↑ Poinsettia

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 2:41 am

OP, Near Haifa is Eliyahus Cave, you can take a cable car to it. Its near a beach and an awesome national maritime museum if you like boats, marine history and have boys (even my girls liked it). You can google all of these things.
If you are driving from Haifa to J-m, you can stop in Netanya. Lots of options.

amother

Stoneblue

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 3:12 am

Agree it may not be worth so much moving around to be one nite in a fancy hotel in Jerusalem. there are affordable lovely places with great breakfast and a good location.
Focus on day activities in Israel which need to be booked ahead and plan around
ir David
kotel tunnel
rampart walk
pantry packers
jeeping
sifting project and caving
blind museum
the people museum (tel Aviv)
Masada/ein gedi.
shuk tour
churva and old city tour

I would pick and organise a little ahead. and the rest see as you go.

I highly recommend hiring a tour guide for a day. it's a few hundred dollars but a frum guy showing you all the north is priceless, kevarim, teach references etc. and he can throw in fun if your DD wants (jeeping or zip lining)

↑ DrMom

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 2:22 pm

amother Poinsettia wrote:

Well she didn't say that she was going to any of those locations. She said she was staying in Jerusalem. Hence my confusion.

That being said, a 1-night stay at the Dead Dea can be fun.

1 night in Eilat makes no sense.

amother

Ruby

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 3:31 pm

There’s a nice hotel in netanya with meals if you’re interested.
I don’t recommend switching places every few nights. We did that. It’s hard not to unpack the whole time you’re there. It’s easier when you’re in one place and take trips from there.
The Waldorf in yerushalayim is beautiful.

If you really want to treat yourself, ask for a suite.