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Guest Relations Manager
Avi Ochayon joins the sheikh
and retinue in welcoming visitors
to Herods Palace
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HERODS PALACE
Sheik and His Wives
Welcome You Royally
Text
and Photos by Tim Boxer
ILAT, at the southernmost tip of
the Negev, may be at the end of the world in Israel, but the newly opened
Herods Palace there is another planet altogether. Part of the Sheraton
Moriah chain of hotels and resorts in Israel, Herods is in a class by
itself. It is not only magnificent, it is utterly stupendous.
General Manager Mickey Schneider
is the real lord of the domain
at Herods |
The minute you step into the
friendly comfortable lobby, you are made aware of ancient history. Named
after a king of Israel 2,000 years ago, the hotel treats you in a most royal
manner. Even before they check you in, the gorgeous desk clerks welcome you
with an original song and dance (with music piped in).
You realize that the travel agent
didn’t send you to just another hotel. Oh no. You’ve actually entered
some potentate’s private preserve. Not to worry. This is the Middle East,
and the universal rule of the desert dictates the warmest hospitality toward
wayfarers.
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Tim Boxer is greeted in the royal manner
by the sheikh’s wife and concubines
(just like at home in Queens, NY)
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As befits such a palace, the
amenities are bountiful. At mealtime, the buffet tables literally overflow
with all manner of sustenance. The food was absolutely delicious. In the
evening, the Salome Lounge beckoned with entertainment and dancing.
Our room was most delightful. Every
evening Nina and I stood on the balcony, watching the red sun sink into the
Red Sea. To our left we gazed at Aqaba, the sister city located next door in
Jordan. Straight ahead we watched ocean liners, oil tankers and luxury
yachts sail into the harbor. To the right is Egypt.
Receptionists welcome guests
with song and dance |
The royal family, in an impressive
parade, makes a solemn appearance to personally greet new visitors such as
you to the palace and see to their comfort. Sheikh Mouabi seats himself on a
throne facing the entrance, the better to welcome his guests. His queen is
at his side, and arrayed around his feet are a bevy of beautiful concubines.
Bowls of fruit and nuts are on display, along with gratifying beverages, all
for your pleasure.
At dinnertime the sheikh’s troupe
of 12, dressed much like the royal family of two millennia past, march
around the restaurants and lobbies saying hello and shalom to everyone in
sight. They’re the spirits of the palace.
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View from the balcony: palace
gardens and Sea of Eilat
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Of course, you know there’s a
power behind this sheikh, even though he may be lording over all his
visitors. The brains behind his royal highness is actually a former Israeli
paratrooper named Mickey Schneider.
Mickey was born in Haifa where his
father was a member of the Palmach, the crack company of commandos that
fought in the War of Independence. Mickey took his turn in serving in the
army, as all Israelis do. He made 50 jumps as a parachutist and still
shudders at the thought.
View of Herods Palace |
“If somebody says he likes to
jump, he’s crazy,” the no-nonsense general manager says.
Herods opened in March 1999 as the
first theme hotel in the country. Mickey spent two weeks at the Dolphin
Hotel (another Sheraton property) in Disneyworld to see how things are run
before taking the helm of Herods.
Actually, Herods Palace is only one
hotel in a complex of four mighty structures built at a cost of $200
million. Next door is Herods Vitalis, a superb heath and lifestyle resort.
Adjoining the building is Herods Cardo, a promenade souk offering
outstanding merchandise. And still being built across the street is Herods
Forum, which will be the Sheraton Convention Center.
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Nina
Boxer and son David find hospitality
everywhere at Herods Palace.
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When
the entire complex is completed, this will be a city within the city. Even
though you may want to spend your business days at the convention center and
relax in the evenings in the sheikh’s company, there is a lot to see and
do in Eilat. The registration clerks, when they’re not singing and
welcoming new guests, can be very helpful in pointing out other attractions
in the vicinity.
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The Main Event
