For those of you that have followed my blog posts, you know that I was in Israel over the Christmas holiday 2018/19. I spent the vast majority of that visit in Jerusalem and focused my activities on the things that most tourists come to this country for. The spiritual sites. And yes, it was amazing. (see previous posts) But this time I wanted to do something different. I wanted to discover the resort side of Israel. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure that there was a “resort side” to this country because I’d never heard anything about it. I in for a surprise!
Because I have significant status with the Marriot Bonvoy chain, I went to the website and searched the available options for Tel Aviv. I landed on the Ritz Carlton in what I understood to be a northern suburb of Tel Aviv, Herzilya. I had no idea where I was going but I figured, “it’s a Ritz, so it’s got to be in a good neighborhood”. I was right.
Like any city, Herzliya has areas that are better than others but overall, this area has heightened levels of affluence and plays host to the “Silicon Valley” of the middle east. I’m sure you can connect the dots on that one. Meaning, there is some serious coin here! The Ritz itself sits right on the Herzliya Marina. The Marina has a “boardwalk”, as they call it, but I think it’s more of a “promenade” because I saw no boards! With over 30 restaurants, a vibrant “grown up” night life, outdoor concerts, lovely shopping, world class beaches and easy access to Tel Aviv I wondered, “where are the super yachts?”
You see, I spend some time every summer for the past 7 years in Positano, Italy and love it for the same reasons I’m falling in love with Herzilya…great beaches, amazing food, vistas and activity options. And these are the same reasons the super yacht crowd cruises in and out of Positano, but I don’t see them here in Herzliya. Do they have safety concerns? Is the marina not accommodating to those monster vessels? This to me seems like a major opportunity for Herzliya!
The hotel itself is lovely and to the design standards of a Ritz but it’s the views that held me captive. Whether it be from your room balcony or the roof top pool, the views of the marina and beaches is absolutely AHmazing. The breakfast buffet is Mediterranean wonderful and there is a free hummus bar every evening at 6:00pm for “happy hour”. I did have a few challenges at the hotel to which the staff responded quickly to correct. I’ll be honest, Israelis are not known for their exceptional service levels and I’m sad to say that the Ritz was a bit hit or miss. Big hit with roof top pool staff, room service, bellmen and concierge support. Big miss with front desk staff, billing transparency, room cleaning and providing the Marriott status benefits. There are a few tweaks to be made at the Herzliya Ritz to bring the entire experience up to the “Ritz-caliber” that one would expect to consistently have.
When I booked this trip, I didn’t know what to expect because I wasn’t focused on what you would typically do while in Israel. I had a little concern that I might be disappointed. But rather than disappointment, I spent the entire time thinking “who knew”?! Who knew Israel had miles of soft sandy beaches with real surfing? Who knew that Herzliya would prove to be “Positano-esc” in its vibe and experience”? Who knew this tiny country would prove to be so much more than religious and archaeological sites? It is in fact, a viable resort destination at the same level as other Mediterranean destinations in Greece, Italy and France. I’m so glad I know better now!