passover programs 2013
Does anyone have any experience with the following passover programs and their associated hotels.
A. Afikoman Tours at the Ravella Resort Lake Las Vegas.
B. Worldwide Kosher Tours at the Westin Lake Las Vegas
and at the Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs CA.
C. Five Star Kosher Tours at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and Casino.
D. Club Kosher at the Grand Melia in San Juan Puerto Rico.
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Hope you all don't mind a question from a Catholic. Irish, no less :) I always enjoy reading the kosher board and have learned quite a lot but haven't figured this out. Is there a religious significance to going on vacation during Passover? Also, what on earth is a tea room? It sounds fantastic. Thanks!!
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re: Hobbert
queenscook
Apr 10, 2013 06:07 PM
No religious significance per se, but for various reasons (to get far-flung family together, to avoid the fairly labor-intensive process of cleaning and cooking for the holiday, to take a vacation that some working people might not be able to take at other times of the year because of the limited number of vacation days some get when they take so many days off for holidays, etc.), some choose Passover to go away. However, the cost of many of these programs is prohibitive to others, and some of us, God help us, actually enjoy spending Passover at home with family and friends, cooking, going to our own synagogue, etc. Count me in that camp.
As I understand it, a tea room is a room open when meals aren't being served (some are round-the-clock, others have more limited hours), where tea, cake, chocolates, cold drinks, etc. are available. However, since I've never been, I'm not speaking from personal experience.
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re: Hobbert
Observant Jews must prepare their kitchens for Passover by removing traces of leavened foods and changing out dishes - essentially rplacing the majority of your utensils, cookware, tableware, serving pieces, etc. In addition you clean out your refrigerator, stove and oven.
Add to that having your family, extended family and guests for two Seder meals for which you have to buy specialized ingredients.
In short, it can get expensive and very, very busy. Since kids usually are on vacation and those away from home or at college come home for the holiday, it's a nice opportunity to spend time together without feeling like you're constantly cooking, serving or cleaning up. You simply lock up your house "as is" without having to ritually and literally clean it.
So there's no religious significance to going away, it's more of a "killing two birds" solution.
A "tea room" is a hospitality room set up at the hotel for snacks, beverages (coffee, juice, soda, tea) and other treats. Since you're at a hotel and you are restricted to Passover-approved foods, it's a convenient way for the guests to snack between meals and an expectation in an all-inclusive environment.
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re: Hobbert
Most people stay home for Passover but it is extremely hard for many families because the kosher laws that pertain only to passover are very difficult. Hence many go away and kill two birds with one stone by making it their vacation as well as avoiding all of the work of making the holiday at home. As fo tea room- thats just a room at a hotel where they serve tea and cake
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re: Hobbert
Some families choose to go away for the holiday because of different levels of observance. Prevents issues and arguments between family members. (A wont eat in B's house b/c they're not up to A's standard)
Also, I know some families where the grandparents take the whole family on a trip because preparing all the meals and hosting family is just too difficult for them.
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My family attended Happy Holidays Passover 2013 at the Del Mar Hilton in CA, run by Eitan Aharon (a real mensch). However, the food and food service were very inconsistent -- sometimes terrific, sometimes terrible. Breakfast and lunch were always buffets, and food quickly ran out. Some items were slow to be replaced and some were never replaced at all -- completely unacceptable. Kiddush on Shabbos and yontiff was very nice. Dinner at the sedarim was very slow, but service got better on subsequent evenings. Desserts were the same every night (boring!). Wine selection was good. Tea room selection very minimal and not kept full. Boxed lunches were a joke. Hotel staff tried very hard, but the fault was with the caterer.
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re: Elliotu
Running out of food is never ok, no matter the price! I went with this program in 2012, and while the amounts of the food wasn't a problem (they had plenty of everything) all in all in was too basic a program (for the money) Tea room was as described above, pretty much the same pre-packaged, stale cookies day after day. Desserts were repetitive as well (hey, at least I didn't gain weight!) Kiddushim were herring and frozen potato kugel (disgusting!) and the meals overall were ok, but just not heimish cooking at all. I don't think they had an outside caterer: it was the hotel chef cooking kosher l'pesach (which of course, was the problem. Pesach cooking is its own thing) The hotel, the grounds, etc were beautiful but the program was lacking (which is why we didn't go back this year)
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re: Elliotu
I agree with Superdanni -- whether you pay $1000 or $10,000, they can't run out of food! I believe they had an outside caterer this year, but they must have forgotten to tell him there would be 350 guests to cook for. Kiddushim were lovely, breakfasts were always the same, lunches were always different but always buffets -- just not as nice as I had hoped. Hotel was beautiful and we had a good time, but probably will not return.
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re: superdanni
That's very funny to me that 350 seems to be a lot. At club kosher last year there was at least 450 people and this year at puerto Vallarta there were at least 600 people. However, both programs were well maintained and in neither program did you feel as though you were surrounded by 600 people because the grounds were so large and in both scenarios the Passover program only took over half the hotel.
As far as food, to my family as well as the 6 other families we usually travel with, it makes or breaks a program for us. We don't spend any time in the room so it's all about the pool, food, and nearby attractions to keep kids entertained. Club kosher had decent food. Mornings there were a lot of salads and cheeses and the omelette station always had huge lines. Food ran out quickly which was a huge draw back for us. We felt like we had to fight to grab food to eat which we really didnt like. Lunches sometimes were cold cuts which in my opinion don't work well with matza haha.
In puerto Vallarta things were very different. NEVER DID FOOD RUN OUT!! You were never stuck eating something you didn't like. There was always a sweet dish, a spicy one, a familiar dish. And everything was so good. We had a pistachio cilantro soup that my family is still talking about. Probably the best soup any of us have had...ever. A lot of the foods were just heavenly and tasted home made and were cooked perfectly. Chullent (chamin), to do for on Saturday! Everything was just abundant and you could never complain about the food and I think that's why we loved the program so much. Most families by day 6 are sick of eating. You get to a point where you feel like all you're doing is eating. Not on this program. Never did anyone complain. Hahaha. WE WANTED THE FOOD!!!! It was perfect!!!
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re: Paulfan1
They were always the most reasonablly priced program in existence and Greenwald caterers cannot be surpassed in terms of food excellence and quantity. Our only problem with the 2012 program was the food serving company. The company that hired and ran the waiters was not good. I am happy to hear that this has been corrected in 2013 and hopefully we will go back to them in 2014
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re: superdanni
We went to the Lancaster program last year and the year before. Last year there were major problems with the food service. The company they hired to do the actual serving did now know anything about Passover and the service was terrible and as a result my extended family and friends refused to return. I am happy to hear that they got their act together because it is run by good people and we would like to go back to them next year.
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re: Elliotu
I honestly don't know how much it was: I do know that my parents (repeat customers) were apparently given 2011 rates (??) and to be frank, my husband and I give my parents an amount of $$ I feel appropriate (and commensurate with what we can afford) and they cover the rest (if it matters, we gave them $2500) But i do know that these local programs are a lot less than ones in better, more exotic locations, for obvious reasons. No one is in Lancaster this time of year, the hotel/area is not much of a draw. But with chol hamoed falling how it did this year I didn't feel it was worth it go somewhere fabulous if you couldn't really have a full chol hamoed to enjoy it. In past years, my family and I have gone to (in descending order) Lancaster, San Diego, Nice, France, Lake Las Vegas, Cabo san Lucas, Mexico, Phoenix, Arizona, Maine, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood (and before that I don't remember)
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Can't respond about the above mentioned programs, however, one to think twice about would be the Smilow family @ the Bonaventure. The resort is lovely, however, there were major gaps in the level of service. My parents were there for the full week, and were shocked at the number of buffets ( not fun when you are elderly and have to contend with rude pushy people ) , the quality of the food ( few healthy options , lots of fried & heavy food, inedible meat, and lots of repetition). In addition, they paid tips in advance and their waiter said he had never received tips. They will say whatever they think you want to hear beforehand, however, the actual service delivery is poor.
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Now that 2013 passover has come and gone, it behooves anyone who went to a hotel to comment on their experiences. If you had a good time and food was great, say it. If the experience was not so great, say it. People spend a lot of money going to Passover programs and if the program was substandard we are obligated to protect people and let them know
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So we just got back from Passover in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with Organization Hafikoman (OrganizaciĆ³n Hafikoman). The Program is run by a Beny and Lety Zlochisty and this was actually their 13 year running the program. we actually took a huge chance going on this program because we couldn't find any reviews online for anything and the only other program we were familiar with was Club Kosher in Puerto Rico at the Gran Melia ( we went there passover 2012)
Beny and Lety are both amazing people and their program is simply outstanding. I would recommend this program to anyone in a heart beat...no questions asked.
First off, The resort was very nice. The service was impecable. I lost my sunglasses and one of he waiters held them for me till the following day. Anything anyone needed, there were constant servers standing nearby to service you. They were always quick and on point. majority of the waiters and servers had a basic understanding of english and they were all extremely helpful and kind. Really, I can't stress how amazing the service was!! They were just available to you whole heartedly. Moreover, The resorts staff was also very gracious and caring. Towels were replaced daily and more than once a day by the pool. I really have zero negatives in terms of service.
The Food! WHERE TO START! A-MA-ZING!!!!!!! everything was great. Breakfast was redundant but there was always so many options. Tasty and delicious pancakes served daily.Waffles to die for. Trust me you would never know they were strictly passover. They were so dilectable you couldn't help but go up for more. All types of platters of cheeses, fruits, vegetables. NON STOP GUACAMOLE!!! SOOO GOOD! Eggs made to order every morning. The tables were always plentiful and things were constantly coming out. You didn't feel like you had to run for breakfast (or any meal) just to eat. There was always enough food for everyone...AND MORE!
Lunch....my mom is lebanese and we always joked that we would be eating kibbeh while away. NO JOKE, THERE WAS KIBBEH! it was PERFECT! Everyday lunch was different. One afternoon and one night we had mexican taco's. OH MY G-D!! the tacos were amazing. you would never know they were passover tacos. They had lettuce wraps for those who are health concious or simply healthy. Allt he meats and chickens were delicious. I wont tell you that there weren't cold cuts served but NEVER were there only cold cuts. There was always MEALS...like really really really delicious meals available at all times. They cut no corners.
Dinner.....Sedar nights were outstanding. Steaks were always well cooked (although sometimes over salted) still delicious and cooked fork tender. Two nights we had dinner ON THE BEACH.....it was beautiful. every night decorations were put up to brighten up the room. lights, center pieces, the whole nine yards. They really gave you that grand feeling. There wasn't a single meal I went to ( or anyone else of the 7 families I went with) that could complain about the food at ANY meal. Food was consistantly delcious and exciting and neevr repetative!
Desserts...PLETHERA AT ALL TIMES! I don't know where to begin. usually passover desserts tend to suck. lets be honest. They're often bland, they lack flavor, and they taste like you're eating chaulk. NOT THIS YEAR. I would eat these desserts year round. Some of the best sweets i've ever had. literally cleared my plate every time. The martzipan was scrumptious. my family couldn't stop eating them. In hebrew we say it was in "Sheffa," meaning abundant. AT ALL TIMES!! and you couldn't help but try and eat everything! you literally have to lick your fingers clean by the end. Granted, I'm almost certain that the deserts were done by a third party.Still, it doesn't matter who makes them, they were DELICIOUS!!!
Events....every night amazed me more then the previous. I remember one night as i was walking back to the room, I heard this loud sound int he main hall. I walked over and there was a huge room wioth multiple coffee tables and sofas set up with lights and a huge stage...a DJ!!! and an actual live rock band. All of this was set up for the kids. They were going crazy. I literally felt like I was at a night club. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! another night they had pinatas for the kids. They were huge (one dora and one spider man). The kids went wild. One afternoon, they literally brought animals for the kids to play with. There were ponys for them to ride and horses. Chickens and turkeys for them to feed. It was crazy! We were all in shock. Everyday there was activities for the kids to do. There was never a boring day.
I would tell everyone to JUMP on the opportunity to go on this program. I think its affordable and they really cut NO corners. They invest so much time and effort to making the program unforgettable. They care that you have an outstanding time, they don't want you to feel constraint by the holiday but they still give you that feeling of home away from home. People were constantly smiling, the crowd was outstanding, the service was impecable and the food was delicious. a true 10/10 in every aspect. I know some that are reading this are wondering if its too good to be true. It's not. It's possible. Trust me go on this program and youll see what im talking about. their work is impressive and they're really good at what they do.
The only downside was the flights. we had connecting both ways from new york to PVR and back. if you could book direct. do it!
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask away. aside from that, I recommend Puerto Vallarta for Passover 2014.
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We went on two passover programs run by worldwide koshers. Both were in California. One years was not so great and the next time it was fantastic. As with many Passover programs you cannot always predict how good a program will be, foodwise, based on past experiences or even on the reputation of the program organizers. This applies to most programs.
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Anyone ever hear of Philip and Dayna Klitzner? they are doing a Hawaiian Pesach http://www.hawaiianpesach.com/
apparently they did two Pesach programs at the Doral Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida. anyone know if they are any good?›1 Reply-
re: ELC7676
Was not at the program but didn't hear anything negative. I have been to a few events that they did in Seattle (they are the only decent game in town) and I have had nothing but good experiences with the affairs. From talking to my contacts in Seattle I know that they have been researching this for a while because they want to do it the right way. sadly, too far from the East Coast
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re: janetldd
really? was at gran melia last yr the food and service were TERRIBLE, the resort was ok but i wouldnt go back bec of the program. they basically served leftovers the entire yuntif and nickel and dimed u on everything to the extent that they wouldnt put bottles of soda on the tables but u had to go up to a bar and ask for a cup of soda every time u wanted something to drink--same thing w the wine and grape juice. the food was horrible, the same thing every night for 7 days straight and there was never enough food, dinner would start at 8 the kitchen would run out of food by 830.
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re: rebecca6438
I was at the Holiday Inn/Days Inn by MLM kosher tours http://www.mlmkoshertours.com/ in Miami, right by the Fountainebleau. it was terrible. The food was disgusting, it was very disorganized and the hotel was gross. but i guess you get what you pay for. I have heard really good things about the Fountainebleau, they seem to have a pretty solid program, but more expensive than others.
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