Altair hotel | Imamother

amother

NeonBlue

Sat, Dec 07 2024, 10:58 pm

icedcoffee wrote:

We went this summer! Such a nice experience. The breakfast was really good, and all the kosher restaurants are in walking distance. They have a shuttle to take you to the beach and back, and we made a ton of use of the rooftop pool as well. Definitely recommend it!

Do they only have separate pool hours or is there a family swim option as well?

↑ icedcoffee

Sat, Dec 07 2024, 11:09 pm

arn wrote:

Wow thank you both! How are the rooms? Do they have a luxurious five star hotel type feel, or more basic?

I wouldn't say it's like, the absolute ultimate in five star luxury, but it's all white and clean and bright. Not the typical old dated, boring hotel room. We enjoyed coming back to it every day.

Re: the pool hours, it's mostly mixed except in the mornings and I think late at night they have separate hours. There was also a water aerobics class for women that looked fun! I just never made it up that early lol.

amother

Papaya ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 1:09 am

Personally I found it overrated. It wasn't cheap.
Pros:
*the kosher breakfast- breakfast for two is included with each reservation. I believe it's $20 per each additional person. There was cereal, omelets, waffles, fresh fruit and vegetables, bourekas, yogurt, granola, rolls and bagels, shakshuka, etc.
*I loved that it was almost exclusively frum. Felt like Brooklyn, which of course, may be a con to others
*On site kayaking and bike rentals (we did not have enough time to take advantage of it)
*Free beach chair and umbrella at their beach
*Onsite restaurant (which we didn't get to try)
*Clean, comfortable, pleasant and accommodating staff
*Pool with separate hours daily for an hour in the morning and an hour at night
Cons:
*Lobby is extremely small. Barely anywhere to hang out indoors
*It's possible we were there at an extra busy time, but we had a long wait for a table for breakfast
*We took the shuttle to the beach, but the shuttle back to the hotel was 25 minutes late, and others who arrived to the shuttle pick-up point after us pushed ahead of us, so there was no room for us (I had a Doona with me). The shuttle was going to come back to pick up the rest was us but being that the hotel is about a 10-15 minute drive each way, we took an Uber back. The following day, we chose to spend the day at the Grand Beach Hotel's beach instead (walking distance from the Altair and nicer view).

calvinhobbs

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 1:14 am

The rooms are nice enough- comparable to a Hilton. The service is good. The breakfast for me was a game changer. Plentiful and delicious and so much to see.
Didn’t make it to the pool, the beach, or the eatery on site, was too busy with daily escapades.
Walking distance to many eateries, the mall, painting cafe across the street…

amother

↑ Lawngreen ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 1:16 am

amother Papaya wrote:

I thought Grand Beach doesn't allow non guests to use their beach area/supplies?

nursemomma

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 1:31 am

amother Papaya wrote:

Had a completely different experience with the beach! Shuttle was extremely punctual and organized. And their beach is way quieter than grand beach- I enjoyed it so much more!

amother

Denim ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 8:48 am

Honest review - you pay for convenience and amazing service. Rooms are really really basic, I was very disappointed for the amount we paid per night. No really luxury feel, no vanity kit( shower cap, toothbrush etc) that all fancy hotels give. Our room carpet was stained and towels were really thin. Not plush or anything.
Really basic decor. I expected a whole lot more for the amount we paid. They also advertise private beach with was no way private!!! Yes, we got an umbrella which was nice, but there were still ladies in bikinis in "our designated area" and apparently is not even possible for a hotel to advertise a private beach if its not on the beach. Lobby is small...
That being said- convenience- breakfast included, minyan for DH, separate swimming ( I made it up twice in the mornings) was very nice. And we had excellent service. They have bikes/ scooters and kayaks you can use included as well and a not too far walk to food and shopping.
We were there over shabbos so it was convenient, but then they also put out 15 sets of candles in the lobby and there were 40+ ladies who needed to light and it was a mad rush to keep adding candles and people wanted to light on time.
You pay for convenience not for a luxury stay.
For me it was a total let down. Sad

We will most likely not stay there again if going for a mid-week vacation. I would rather stay in the ritz or some other fancy place for that money.

amother

↑ Denim ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 9:06 am

grapejuicekedem wrote:

I think for Shabbat it's a great idea. During the week there are much nicer hotels and with food all around u, what's the need?

Agreed. Separate swimming was nice though, that was really the only part I felt was "worth it". ( I like swimming and never really get to go)
But it is only early morning and later at night.

amother

↑ Lawngreen ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 9:58 am

amother Denim wrote:

We will most likely not stay there again if going for a mid-week vacation. I would rather stay in the ritz or some other fancy place for that money.

The Ritz is not that money Laugh

and neither is any fancy place....

amother

↑ Lawngreen ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 9:59 am

grapejuicekedem wrote:

I think for Shabbat it's a great idea. During the week there are much nicer hotels and with food all around u, what's the need?

I think the included breakfast is a real pull for people. As well as a mostly frum crowd. There aren't really ladies in bikinis/non tzenuis swimwear sitting around or walking around the hotel.