Mehadrin all-inclusive Dead Sea or kibbutz suggestions?

[seb]

My family is having a reunion in Israel where we'll be together for the 1st time in 10 yrs. Our levels of observance range from secular to modern-ortho to charedi. Our ages will range from 2yrs to early 60's. We are looking for suggestions for a hotel or resort where we can stay for shabbos where food is included and which everyone in the group would be comfortable eating. For some of us the quality of the food is important; for others its the hecksher. Does anyone have a place they can recommend that meets our set of crazy requirements?

[seb]

There will be 9 adults and 8 children and one of the families specifically requests NO hotel for their kids. We have not gone yet, but Kibbutz Lavi provides all meals for Shabbos and breakfast the rest of the time. If we are out sight-seeing during the day, we don't need lunch/dinner anyway, but we can order it for extra. This trip isn't until Jan., but "Bubbie" has made the reservations, so we are headed there and I will write a full report when the trip is over.

[berel]

we were at the Kibbutz Lavi hotel in January 2009 for 2 nights. Try and schedule a trip to the Hula migrating bird sanctuary, it's beautiful.

[SoCal Mother]

If you are going during any sort of holiday time (Chanukah, Xmas-New Years, yeshiva break week, etc.) make your reservations early. Also, Israelis sometimes get a better rate so if anyone in your group is an Israeli citizen make sure the reservations person knows it. We used an Israeli travel agent.

See if the OU in Israel is sponsoring a trip (they sell out fast!) which might also include tours. Again, your Israeli relatives might get a discount.

The kibbutz rooms are not like a hotel, it's like staying in a really nice dormitory. (The new kind, with private baths.)

[seb]

Thank you all for your feedback. This sounds like a great option & I'll post a review if we end up doing it.

[hanistor]

http://hotel.lavi.co.il/HOTEL/2/23/62...

[SoCal Mother]

Kibbutz Lavi

[berel]

2nd'd

[Pluckyduk8]

Tripled. I've stayed there and really enjoyed it. It's a great home base for doing stuff up north.

[mamaleh]

Quadrupled. Also, as tempting as it is to get an all inclusive deal at the Meridien Dead Sea (Ein Bokek), we had a pretty bad overall experience there.

[berel]

it also reminds me of the hotels I went to as a kid in the Catskills

[SoCal Mother]

Very kid-friendly. When my nephew was little he went through a phase where he wouldn't eat anything except hot dogs. They gave him a plate of hot dogs (soy or meat - depending on the meal) at EVERY MEAL the 3 days we stayed there.