Head to Crown Plaza Eilat this summer to enjoy a fun staycation

The hotel features 266 luxurious rooms, spacious personal balconies, a pool and a dining hall full of delights.

By SIVAN AZULAY
The Crown Plaza Eilat dining room (photo credit: CROWN PLAZA HOTELS)
The Crown Plaza Eilat dining room
(photo credit: CROWN PLAZA HOTELS)
You don’t have to travel very far for a dreamy vacation. You can definitely skip to a nearby, local spot. Say, Eilat? Nothing says Israeli staycation more then our own Riviera. You know, we may not have Ibiza but at least we have Eilat. 
Crown Plaza Eilat here we come!
We’d been waiting a while for some time off. It’s been crazy here; work, wedding plans and all that jazz. So, when I was offered the chance to try out Crown Plaza Eilat, I jumped at the opportunity. We hit the road  humming songs of freedom, and when we arrived in Eilat, we stopped at our favorite local restaurant, Eddie’s Hideaway, for an afternoon bite. Highly recommended! Little did we know, we’d end up with having a full dinner in the hotel’s dining room. My dad always says the perfect way to start off a successful vacation is through the stomach. What can I say? The man is completely right.
In a nutshell
Set on the promenade at the northern tip of the Red Sea, Crown Plaza Eilat promises to provide you the ultimate Eilat vacation. The hotel is surrounded by fantastic beaches and shopping centers, and is just a few minutes drive from the airport. If you are interested in visiting Jordan, too, a bus will take you there in no time. As for the hotel itself – though it hasn’t been renovated for the last few years – it’s very luxurious and spacious, and offers beautiful balcony views. The highlight of the grounds for me is their 8th floor pool - what I call a jackpot! 
The rooms
The rooms are super comfortable, and there are 266 in total (including junior suitss, deluxe suits, presidential suits and a room for disabled guests). They all feature modern amenities like large plasma screen TVs, air conditioning, mini bars, free WiFi internet access, and - of course - coffee. Bathrooms are well equipped with a set of bath products and a hair dryer. 
Eating & drinking
A complimentary breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, featuring fresh coffee (cappuccino, to be precise), eggs cooked to your liking, a variety of cheeses, and a bunch of yummy salads. As for dinner, there’s a buffet of options to choose from (and may I add... there is a lot of food!); grilled chicken, asado, beef stew, fish fillet, soup and more. Something for everyone!
The service
The service was warm and super thoughtful. Really, all the staff was so nice, willing to help with anything. Sometimes all you need is good service. You know, we Israelis can be such temperamental people, so when you bump into someone who’s more patient than you are, it means the world. Thank you, staff! You made our stay even more fun.
The wow factor
Those roomy balconies! During the warmer months, the balcony is the perfect spot to enjoy drinks under the sun. Plus, tanning lovers rejoice! There's plenty of space to lay out. You don’t need to go all the way to the pool to tan, you can relax on your own balcony. It's your very own private paradise!
Need to know:
Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 11am
Swimming-pool: Yes
Room service: Yes
Spa: Yes
The Details: Crown Plaza, 1 North Beach, Eilat. 08-6330821, www.h-i.co.il.