Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays and one that many people celebrate. During this week-long holiday, families get together to think about how the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt thousands of years ago. A Passover Seder is the usual dinner and rituals that take place on the first night of the holiday. Many Jewish families choose to celebrate Passover by going on trips to hotels that are set up to honour the customs and dietary rules of the holiday. You can find the right hotel to host a meaningful Passover party if you plan ahead and do some research.
Set your priorities for where to stay during Passover.
Before you start looking for a hotel, figure out what’s most important to you so you can find the best ones. Some important things to think about could be:
Traditional Seder meal: Many hotels offer customised Seder plates, meals, and even live music so you don’t have to plan your own special Seder.
Kosher food for Passover must follow strict rules, be free of leaven, and only be made with ingredients that have been recognised as kosher.
On-site rabbi: A rabbi may be available to lead the Seder and give traditional lessons all week long.
If you want to bring your kids, look for childcare, planned games, special Seders for kids, etc.
Religious services: Daily prayer services can be held at synagogues on site or nearby.
Attractions close by: For long stays, choose a place near sights, nature, or fun.
Choose a room type based on how big, how it’s set up, what features it has, etc., and how many people will be staying in it.
Find out about Passover programmes at different hotels
Once you know what’s most important to you, look into Passover hotels that meet your needs. Here are some steps:
Check out the Passover locations that are listed on Jewish booking sites.
Check hotel chains that actively market Passover packages in popular vacation spots.
Find nearby independent hotels that are offering Passover events.
Check out travel review sites that let you sort by tags like “Passover” or “kosher” to find the best choices.
Look in Jewish magazines and blogs for lists of hotels with good Passover programmes.
Ask family, friends, or people in your synagogue for suggestions.
As you do your research, write down important policy details like minimum stays, cancellation policies, activity schedules, and room rates so you can compare what’s available. Make a small list of your favourite candidates who do well in important areas.
Check if the hotel is kosher for Passover.
Once you’ve found places that look good, it’s important to check their kosher certification and standards very carefully. Kosher hotels must work with trustworthy rabbinical managers and follow strict cleaning rules before and during Passover to make sure there are no traces of leaven, which is forbidden. Some important questions to look into are:
Who is in charge of making sure things are kosher and ready for Passover? Rabbis should have qualifications that people respect.
How exactly does the hotel clean the kitchens and improve the way food is handled? Ask for more details.
How do you make Kosher meals? Look for kitchens and staff that are only used for kosher food.
Are special meals taken into account? Many have choices for people who don’t eat meat, gluten, or nuts.
Have past guests given them good reviews for being kosher? Check online for comments.
Get in touch with the hotel if you have any questions about how they keep kosher. This will give you peace of mind.
Check out what else you can do and how you can do it.
Along with kosher, think about other things that would make Passover better for your family:
Check out the planned menus, traditions, music and shows for the Seder.
Activities include things that kids can do, like swimming, playing games, and watching shows.
Services include a spa, a gym, trips, and a bus service.
Staff: Well-trained in customs, friendly to families, and able to speak more than one language.
Location: Easy entry to the airport and close to places of interest or nature.
There are a lot of different kinds of rooms, and features like connecting rooms are great for big families.
Also talk about things like pricing that fits your budget, how to book and by when, the number of places available, and the payment and cancellation policies.
Read what people had to say about their Passover experience.
One of the best ways to judge a Passover hotel is to read what actual guests have to say about their stay. After a stay, reviews give clear information about the quality of the Seder dinner, the rooms, the activities, the helpfulness of the staff, and the hotel’s wins and failures. Search for reviews on the hotel’s website or Facebook page, as well as tourism sites like TripAdvisor. This can help you get honest opinions from families whose priorities are the same as yours when picking a hotel for Passover.
Finding the right hotel for your family’s Passover party takes extra work to make sure it fits your family’s traditions and dietary needs. But if you look into the Passover hotels kosher certification, programmes, services, and real guests’ experiences, you can find the perfect place to make Passover memories. The work pays off when you walk in and feel right at home in a warm, friendly space that really shows how beautiful Passover is.