Tel Aviv is not an inexpensive city. According to MyTravelCost.com, the average three star hotel is around $200/night, and closer to $500/night for a five star. In an effort to keep costs down and still have a pleasant experience (with perks) we chose the Park Plaza Orchid, a Club Carlson property, for our recent weekend stay.
With its beachside location, the Park Plaza Orchid provides a comfortable experience, a great central location, and tremendous value. We chose the property to test the perks of my Club Carlson Gold status, as I had secured the Club Carlson credit card and wanted to utilize the free night option when using Club Carlson Gold points to book the room. I booked a standard room for 44,000 Gold points and because I had their credit card, I was able to get the second night free. I also received a long list of perks, including upgraded room to an ocean view, executive lounge access, and free breakfast. Just for reference, the rate for a standard room would have been $160/night for the time we were there.
The hotel also offers some additional unusual perks you don’t often see in any hotel, including free bicycle rentals. This perk is particularly nice because you’re right there on the promenade of Tel Aviv beach. WI-FI is FREE, has excellent strength and is consistent throughout the entire hotel. There are computer stations in the lobby for guests that are also free to use. You can also “rent” a laptop from the hotel, which is FREE. One of the best perks is that worldwide International calls made from your hotel room are FREE! I have never seen this perk in any hotel. Throw in free access to the fitness center and a 24/7 business center and you get the feeling this hotel wants you to enjoy your stay.
The breakfast buffet included with our room was excellent and included an omelet station. The room had an incredible view of the ocean and was very comfortable. The service during breakfast was not up to par, plates were not removed during the entire meal and we were not greeted when we sat down. We were not offered coffee; we found out later it was self-serve. Perhaps our expectations were high.
In general, as far as the level of service, I wouldn’t rate this property high. When we arrived at 5:00pm, our room was not ready; “We have a lot of very late checkouts today”. We were told not to wait in the lobby, as they didn’t know how long it would take. “Perhaps you should take a walk”, they suggested. At 6:45pm, our room was ready. Additionally, I had to ask for breakfast to be included and for lounge access. Then, it turned out the front desk person only added it for one night and we had to go back and get it added for the additional night. The executive lounge is closed on the weekends (Friday and Saturday) but since we arrived on Saturday we still had access on Sunday night when it was open. The lounge was unattended (it had key card access) so if you needed anything, you might have to call down to the front desk. Eventually a person did come into the lounge to check on things.
The location of the Park Plaza Orchid is good for exploring Tel Aviv with many restaurants and shops nearby. But even if you’re looking to add Jerusalem to your itinerary, you can take a taxi to the main railway station ($12) and catch the #480 bus to Jerusalem ($12 round trip), an easy one-hour ride. The #1 tram ($2.25) outside the central station where you arrive in Jerusalem takes you to the main gate of the Old City in just a few stops. Jaffa Street is a fabulous walk and if you happen on 10 Falafel, don’t hesitate to try his incredible falafel pita sandwiches. We spent a day, our only full day in Israel, in Jerusalem.
Despite the quirks in service, the Park Plaza Orchid hotel was truly good value and we would return. Having the Club Carlson credit card really made a difference as it gave me Gold Status and access to those additional perks that make a hotel stay special.
Photo credits to Karyn O.
Do you have questions about this or other topics? Feel fee to email us.
All Articles
Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
Add to Favorites
- Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card in the first 3 months.†
- Earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you reach $30,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the calendar year.
- Earn 2 Miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- Settle into your seat sooner with Priority Boarding and enjoy 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas.‡
- Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access.‡
- Terms and limitations apply
- See Rates & Fees
Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
| FTG Review | Reward Breakdown | Points Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
Breakdown
Earn (pt.)
Spend
3 months
0
$3,000
Per dollar on eligible purchases with Delta Purchases
2.00
$1
All Purchases
1.00
$1
|
||
|
Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.
|
||
