Hello dear readers,

After a very enjoyable 10-day tour with a very pleasant pair of sisters, their husbands and their uncle and wife, I have a few moments to write down some impressions on the hotels they used.

In Tel Aviv, the group stayed at the Melody Hotel on Yarkon Street. Clean, well situated near the old port and with friendly service and not expensive, the Melody is a winner!

I wish I could say the same for the next two hotels: Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz Guest House sits on the Sea of Galilee and, though the staff is friendly, the hotel (more of a motel than hotel), just does not seem to fit in to sophisticated travelers. Saturday’s dinner was not eatable. Rooms are in need of a serious renovation.

Kibbutz Ein Gedi Guest House has a curious trait: no bellboys. You have to lug (or schlepp) your luggage to your rooms yourselves. Yes, that’s right, you have to take your bags! When I questioned the receptionist, she said that the hotel doesn’t employ bellboys.

Ein Gedi is a case of bad service in the extreme. I used to live on Ein Gedi, and it is with a heavy heart that I can no longer go there. Very expensive with long waits at check in and check out, all I can say is beware!

•