Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Vacation Awaits at the Blue Hotel Eilat!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Chaotic, Wonderful Dive into the Blue Hotel Eilat! (A Brutally Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is the real deal, straight from the heart (and a very slightly sunburnt forehead) after a week at the legendary Blue Hotel Eilat. Did I find paradise? Well, let's just say it was more like a gloriously messy, sometimes frustrating, always interesting adventure.
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First Impressions (and the Elevator from Hell):
Let me tell you, the Blue Hotel is big. Like, "search-for-your-room-for-an-hour" big. The lobby? Glamorous. The staff? Mostly friendly, though I swear one of them side-eyed my questionable fashion choices (hey, it's a vacation!). The elevator situation, however… let's just say it's an exercise in patience. You'll be using the stairs eventually, so get ready. And the "facilities for disabled guests" - promising, but let's just say some things need a little more tweaking. Getting into the elevator felt more like an obstacle course at times.
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Confusing:
Right, the elephant in the room – accessibility. The Blue Hotel tries. They say they're accessible. And the elevators can get you around (eventually). Some of the rooms are designed with accessibility in mind, which is a huge plus. But there were moments, like when I was struggling with the elevator, where I felt a bit… abandoned. The ramps were decent, but the doorways? Sometimes a little too narrow for a larger wheelchair.
Rooms: My Fortress of Solitude (or at least, some semblance of it):
Okay, the rooms. I snagged a room with a window that opens, which is a crucial feature, right? And thank the heavens for air conditioning – Eilat is HOT. I had those blackout curtains, so I could sleep in until noon. The mini bar was stocked (and tempting!). And the bathrobes were… well, they were there, I guess. The seating area was comfy, a great spot to hide out for a bit. The in-room safe box was also an excellent touch and necessary when travelling. I even had a bathtub, though I’m not entirely sure I used it. What did I love? The free Wi-Fi in the room. The smoke detector and safety/security feature (including the safety deposit boxes) gave me peace of mind. It wasn't perfect, but it was my space. And, yes, the extra long bed was amazing for stretching out! Now, will the carpet remain the same? Not a chance, but still, it was comfortable while it lasted.
Cleanliness & Safety – Pandemic Proofed (Mostly):
They're definitely taking Covid seriously! I saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere. The staff were always masked, and there was a strict policy of daily disinfection in common areas. They offered room sanitization opt-out, which is a thoughtful touch. The individually-wrapped food options felt a bit excessive, but hey, better safe than sorry. The anti-viral cleaning products gave me confidence too. I couldn't see the professional-grade sanitizing services but I'm sure they were there!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Epicurean Rollercoaster:
Alright, the food. This is where things get… interesting. Let's start with the good: the breakfast buffet was a beast. A glorious, carb-laden beast. Asian breakfast options? Yes. Western breakfast? Big yes. Fresh fruit, pastries galore, eggs cooked every which way… pure bliss.
The restaurants themselves were varied. The poolside bar? Essential. The coffee shop always seemed to be busy, so getting my coffee usually took longer than expected. I ended up eating in the restaurant the most. It was a nice place. The food options were great, with plenty of international cuisine and even some Asian cuisine. I tried the salad in restaurant, ordered some soup in restaurant, and even the desserts in restaurant were pretty good.
The not-so-good? Service can be a bit hit-or-miss. Sometimes the waits were long. And while there was a vegetarian restaurant, I found myself missing some vegetarian options at other places (more on that later). The hotel offers room service [24-hour], but I didn’t use it. I’m more of a “get myself some food” type of person.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Sunburns:
Oh boy, the Spa/sauna! Okay, the Spa itself was heavenly. I indulged in a Body scrub and a Body wrap, which left me feeling like a new person. The pool with view was gorgeous. Sunbathing? Yes, please! There's a swimming pool [outdoor] too, of course. The sauna, steamroom were good! There was a real fitness center and I may have used it.. once. They had a gym/fitness area as well. I even enjoyed a Foot bath.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag:
They offer pretty much everything. Daily housekeeping was fantastic (thank you, wonderful cleaners!). They provide a concierge and currency exchange, which were both handy. And for those planning events? They offer tons of options, like meetings. The elevator was, of course, an essential service, and the dry cleaning and laundry service came in handy when I went swimming. The luggage storage also made things easier! They even had a convenience store for those late-night snack attacks.
Things I Loved (and Hated):
- Loved: The ridiculously beautiful sunset views from the pool. The spa treatments. The sheer size of the breakfast buffet. The fact that they had a gift/souvenir shop.
- Hated: The elevator (seriously, I'm still traumatized). The inconsistencies in accessibility. The occasional slow service.
For the Kids:
There's a kids facilities area, but I don't have kids, so I can't really comment on that. I did see a babysitting service advertised.
Final Verdict: Paradise Adjacent?
Look, the Blue Hotel Eilat isn't perfect. It's got its quirks. It's a little rough around the edges in places. But it's also got a certain charm. It's busy, bustling, and full of life. It's a place where you can relax by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment, and lose yourself in a good book.
Would I go back? Probably. Because despite the flaws and the frustrations, there's something about the Blue Hotel that keeps calling me back. Maybe it's the promise of sunshine, the stunning views, or just the sheer chaos of it all. It’s a reminder that even the most imperfect experiences can be incredibly memorable. And hey, maybe next time, that elevator will actually work. Worth it.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (with a slightly exasperated sigh). Go. But be prepared. And bring your patience. You'll need it.
Unbelievable Japan Getaway: Mu Nanki Shirahama's Hidden Gem!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t your grandma’s meticulously planned itinerary. This is my Eilat, and it’s gonna be a glorious, sweaty mess. We're talking Blue Hotel, Israel. Get ready for some seriously questionable choices and hopefully, a tan.
Day 1: Arrival & the Existential Dread of Air Conditioning
- 9:00 AM (ish): Landed at Ovda Airport. Okay, so technically, it’s not in Eilat. But it’s close enough, which is my motto for everything in life. Feeling the overwhelming heat already. Seriously, is it always this hot? Already regretting packing mostly black clothes.
- 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Getting my luggage, what a circus it is, people are fighting over the luggage, I'm sure some are lost for good, my god, even the conveyor belt is sweating.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Shuttle to the Blue Hotel. The driver blasts some Israeli pop that’s catchy as hell but I can't understand a word of it. And everyone seems to know the words – like, everyone. Feeling a distinct lack of cultural fluency.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Check-in… and the actual hotel room. First impression: looks like any other hotel room, the air conditioning is a godsend. The battle with the thermostat begins. Will I be freezing? Will I roast? Will I find the sweet spot? Spoiler alert: never got it.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered… well, I’m not entirely sure what. Something colorful. Something suspiciously breaded. Ate it anyway. It was… fine. The view of the Red Sea, on the other hand, was stunning. Started a weird internal debate about whether the sea is really "red" or just… a particularly vibrant blue. Needed more coffee.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Spent an hour fighting with the Wi-Fi. Defeated. Gave up. Embraced the blissful digital detox. (Until I needed to Google "how to deal with a sunburn.")
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Pool time. Or, as I like to call it, "Trial by Water." Sunscreen applied in a somewhat haphazard manner (a future mistake, I'd soon learn). Learned how to do a proper cannonball. Failed miserably. But the view… still amazing. And my first dip into the Red Sea – pure magic. Salty, and strangely calming.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Shower. Or, "Attempt to Wash Off the Day's Sunscreen and Salt." Realized I forgot conditioner. My hair is going to resemble dead straw by the end of this trip.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. Found a little "authentic" shawarma place. The aroma alone was enough to make my stomach grumble, and then bam – the best shawarma I've ever had. Feeling alive. Everything is magic in this land.
- 9:00 PM - Late: Walked along the promenade, which is a parade of tanned bods and people hawking everything from Jet Skis to plastic glow-in-the-dark swords. The sheer volume of people is staggering. Ordered a gelato. Ate gelato. Watched the ships and boats. Then back to the hotel, utterly wrecked.
Day 2: Coral Reefs, Questionable Seafood, and a Near-Disaster Involving a Sand Dune
- 8:00 AM: Woke up with the distinct feeling of being slightly crispy. Sunburn alert! Reapplied copious amounts of sunscreen. Decided to invest in a hat. Looking like a complete tourist already, and loving every second of it.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Snorkeling at the Coral Reef. Okay, wow. I have seen fish of every color of the rainbow (and some I didn't know existed). The water is crystal clear. The coral is… well, it’s coral. A little bit like a giant, underwater alien garden. Got a bit seasick. Almost threw up in my snorkel. (Thank goodness for ocean currents!)
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Tried some local seafood. The waiter said it was "fresh." I'm not really sure what it was, exactly. Let's just say it reminded me of something that came from the deep, dark depths of the ocean – and not in a good way. On the plus side, the view from the restaurant was amazing!
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Desert adventure! Went on a jeep tour of the Timna Park. The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. The Jeep? Not so much. It was like a rollercoaster, except without the safety checks. Got totally covered in dust. Saw some crazy rock formations. Tried to take photos. Most of them are now just blurry memories of the experience.
- 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: A near-death experience. Well, maybe not officially. But on our way back, we went on the sand dune, got stuck, almost get buried, and I started to panic. Luckily our driver was able to handle the sand. Lesson learned: Sand dunes are not my forte.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sunburn assessment. Yep. Definitely worse. Resorted to aloe vera. Feeling like a giant, walking, green blob.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Ate bland food. Decided to skip the dancing, and just relax.
- 9:00 PM - Late: Stared at the red sea, did some meditation, and journal. Then, sleep.
Day 3: Camel Rides, Shopping Sprees, and the Bitter Taste of Leaving
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling slightly less crispy. Sunscreen routine perfected.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Camel riding! Okay, it was touristy. It was cliché. And my camel, Barry, looked utterly bored with my life. But it was actually quite fun. The sway of a camel is oddly relaxing. Felt like a Bedouin queen. For about 15 minutes.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Souvenir shopping. Negotiated prices like a pro, I think. Ended up with a bag full of questionable trinkets that I’ll probably never use but feel compelled to buy anyway. Found a t-shirt that says, "I Climbed a Mountain… and All I Got Was This Stupid T-Shirt." Perfect.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Found a charming little cafe. Ordered a sandwich. Actually, the bread was good, the cafe had a really relaxed vibe.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More pool time! Spent the afternoon swimming and sunbathing. Tried to build a sandcastle, failed miserably.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Last-minute exploration of the Blue Hotel. Found the rooftop and took some amazing photos.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Packing. Realized I hadn’t done laundry. My clothes smell of salt, sunscreen, and something faintly reminiscent of desert dust.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: One last dinner, where I gorged myself on shawarma. Savored every bite, knowing it would be a long time before I could taste this culinary wizardry again.
- 9:00 PM - Late: Sat on the balcony, staring at the water, feeling a mix of sadness and pure, unadulterated contentment. This trip hasn't been perfect. There were sunburns, questionable meals, and moments of sheer idiocy. But it. Was. Amazing. Eilat, you glorious, sweaty, chaotic place. I’ll be back.
Day 4: Departure… and the Longing Begins
- Early AM: Up before the sun, shuttle to the airport. The sun is still shining.
- Departure: Waving goodbye to the Red Sea. Already dreaming of my return.
- Delayed at the airport, still thinking about the shawarma.
Okay, that's it. My honest, messy, and (hopefully) entertaining attempt to describe a trip to Eilat, specifically at the Blue Hotel. It’s not a travel guide. It’s a snapshot of a life lived, and hopefully encourages you to embrace the chaos and make your own damn memories. Go explore!
Unbelievable BELLECROWN Rooms Malang: You WON'T Believe This!
Okay, so… is the Blue Hotel *really* paradise? Or is it just… Eilat?
Alright, let's be real. Eilat *itself* is... Eilat. You've got your Red Sea (gorgeous!), the desert (hot!), and, well, let's just say the city isn't exactly known for its architectural subtlety. But the Blue Hotel? Okay, *that's* where the magic *starts* to happen. I mean, I walked into that lobby and actually gasped. (And I’m not usually a "gasp" kind of person!) It's all sleek lines, that gorgeous turquoise color (hence the name, duh), and this… *vibe*. It's like, "Yes, you survived the flight, the airport chaos, the sheer existential dread of a Tuesday… now, relax." So, paradise? Maybe not *literally*. But a serious step up from my usual chaotic life. Trust me, the feeling of the AC hitting you after the heat of the desert is its own religion.
What's the deal with the pools? Seriously, are they crowded? I hate crowds.
The pools… okay, this is where it gets interesting. There are a few. One's the "family fun zone," which, let's be honest, is code for "screaming children and rogue pool noodles." I mostly avoided that one. Then there's the infinity pool overlooking the sea. *That* is the money shot. Yes, it *can* get crowded, especially at peak hours. Here’s the *secret*: Go early! Sunrise over the Red Sea, a near-empty pool, and you? Sipping a mimosa. Pure bliss. One morning, I swear I saw a dolphin jumping in the distance. (Might've been the mimosa talking. Or a really happy fish.) BUT even when it *was* busy, the sheer size of the pool made it bearable. Look, I'm not saying it's a private island, but it's *way* better than sharing a puddle with a toddler and their inflatable flamingo.
The food. Tell me about the food. Is it all… hotel buffet-y? Because I’ve had enough cardboard in my life.
Okay, buckle up, foodies! This is a *mixed* bag. The main buffet? Yeah, it's a buffet. But a *good* buffet. Like, surprisingly decent. I mean, there’s the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that are… well, they exist. But then there’s this incredible hummus (Israelis KNOW their hummus!), fresh pita bread, and a carving station with some seriously juicy meats. And the desserts! Oh, the desserts. I may have, ahem, overindulged. But here's the real gem: the à la carte restaurant. It's called "Seaview," and the name is not lying. You're basically eating fresh seafood with the Red Sea as your backdrop. The first night, I got the grilled sea bass... and I'm not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating. But it was *delicious*. I went back three times. THREE TIMES! Seriously, make reservations. Otherwise, you're stuck fighting over the lukewarm chicken nuggets at the kids' buffet. (Trust me, you don't want to experience the chicken nugget wars.)
Okay, so the beach… is it right there? And is it any good?
The beach… well, it’s *technically* right there. I say "technically" because you have to walk like, a whole two minutes. Not a deal-breaker! The sand's not the powdery white stuff you see in the Maldives. It’s more… sandy. But the water? Oh, the WATER. Crystal clear, incredibly warm, perfect for snorkeling. And the coral reefs… wow. I saw fish with rainbows on their scales! Seriously, I nearly drowned myself ogling at the underwater world. Just… be careful. There's a lot of sun. I learned this the hard way. Three days into my trip, I looked like a lobster that had lost a fight. Seriously, pack the sunscreen. And maybe an aloe vera smoothie.
Are there activities? I'm not just planning to sit around the pool all day… (though that does sound tempting).
Oh, honey, there are *activities*. So many activities! There's the diving center (amazing!), boat trips to see dolphins (never actually saw any, but the potential was there!), and… well, let's face it, I mostly sat around the pool. But! They did have a schedule of events. Yoga on the beach (tried it once, felt like a confused flamingo), water aerobics (looked terrifying), and… a cocktail-making class. That one I *definitely* attended. And I’m happy to report that the Blue Margarita is now my signature drink. The instructor was this hilarious guy, Avi. I swear, he knew more about tequila than I know about, well, anything. He kept giving me free shots. So, yeah, activities? Yes. Did I participate in many? Debatable. But the cocktail class was a *win*.
What about the service? Is it friendly? Because, you know, attitude can ruin a vacation.
The service… this is where the Blue Hotel really shines. Seriously, everyone was so incredibly friendly and helpful. From the concierge who helped me navigate the *labyrinth* that is Eilat (seriously, bring a map!), to the pool staff who always magically knew when I needed a refill on my iced tea (or, you know, a cocktail), the staff were great. Even when I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 3 AM (don't ask), they were smiling and helpful. There was this one waiter in "Seaview" restaurant, Daniel, who knew my name, my usual order, and always had a joke ready. He turned a simple dinner into a highlight of the day. Seriously, the service is one of the things that made this trip so memorable. They just *got* it. They understood that you’re on vacation and you want to be pampered, not stressed.
Any serious cons? Things I should be aware of before booking?
Okay, let's get real again. There are *always* downsides. First, the price. It's not cheap. But, you know, paradise usually isn't. Second, the aforementioned heat. Bring light clothes. And if you’re prone to sweat, embrace it. Third, the shopping in Eilat is… well, it exists. Don't expect high fashion. It's mostly tourist shops selling the same stuff. Fourth, the music at the pool… can be a bit repetitive after a while. I may have hummed the same song for hours… Fifth, and this is the biggest one: Leaving. Seriously, the hardest part of the whole trip was packing up and facing reality again. The post-vacation blues are *real*. So, yeah, go prepared. Stock up on vacation-induced depressionAround The World Hotels
