The Absolute, Most Amazing Place For A Family Summer Vacation In Israel

A family vacation paradise. When that’s the trip I want and the reset my family needs, we head to the marvelous Ritz-Carlton Herzliya, our luxurious home away from home. A magical oasis where even the parents get to relax together with their family!

You know the saying that a “family trip” is not a “vacation” well I beg to differ if the destination is the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya.

The tranquility I feel when driving up to this stunning hotel is unparalleled. The sight of sailboats sparkling on the Mediterranean Sea puts me at immediate ease. I sigh and melt into the oncoming relaxation.

And yet while the picturesque views usually spark instant inner peace, in the weeks leading up to this photoshoot I found myself going into near panic mode.

Self-confidence, or lack thereof, is a tricky thing. Over the last few years, my weight has ballooned (every time I try to lose, I just gain), and I’ve become less and less interested in being on camera (have you noticed you aren’t seeing as much of me these days?)

But my job, and the success of the causes and brands I believe in, so benefit when I put my “face” to my support.

So as the day of this shoot loomed, it literally and figuratively weighed on me. How was I going to depict the vibe of a perfect summer day at a resort property, when YOU KNOW there was NO WAY and NO HOW I was going to be caught in a swimsuit.

I have a closet full of black clothing I wear to the office. A closet filled with stunning pieces I’m saving (with a hope and a prayer) for the day they fit me again. But absolutely nothing that screams, resort wear! And forget about me for a minute, kids grow and grow throughout the year (thank G-d!!) and I had no bathing suits that fit the younger ones from last summer. My list was long with all things that had to go just right for this shoot to be successful– hair, makeup, clothing, props, location, lighting - positioning of the sun in the sky, wind speed. It almost sounds like a joke, almost too superficial, but the art of storytelling through pictures relies heavily on everything going right.

And, and, and…why am I even putting myself through this?!

Because I love the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya beyond words. And if there are no words to truly describe the perfection that is a summer family vacation, making lifelong memories in the most beautiful, pampering, hotel in this sacred, glorious land of ours, then I am desperate to let these pictures do the talking.

Hashem felt my desperation and “out of nowhere” a swimwear company, Cool Tide Swimwear, reached out to collab. I had never heard of them before, and here they were, the answer to my summer shoot prayers. I was able to get adorable, matching bathing suits for the kids and resort wear for myself.

So soak in these pictures of the summer vacay that’ll make you want to stay and stay. (Are the picts working?)

When we check-in to the Ritz, I really feel like I live there! The vibe is more beach house than hotel. The property was cleverly conceived as a hybrid hotel and residence which means the selection of family suites allows you to fit up to 6 people into one spacious, flowing accommodation.

Each suite comes with 1-or 2-bedrooms in addition to a kitchen, living room, dining room, and terrace. The generous indoor and outdoor living spaces give you a place to eat and a place to relax with the entire family, comfortably! That is living! That is a home!

(For my full review and more suite pictures click here!)

And right now, through 2024, they have this promo where up to 2 kids stay and eat free and cuties under 6 are complimentary. Once you’ve booked the guest relations team makes every effort to reach out to every single guest to collect any preferences and kids ages prior to check-in. This way they make sure to personalize your stay and prepare for all your special needs. They are so eager and happy to send up special gifts, crafting projects or this adorable teepee which creates a cozy space for the younger ones. I love the thoughtful attention to detail, it feels like the “Ladies & Gentleman” at the Ritz are attentive and eager to make you feel at home.

The property surrounding the hotel is equally majestic. There are separate and family beaches literally a few steps from the Ritz. The beaching and boating experiences are other-worldly with family fun around every corner. The rooftop swimming pool will take your breath away with its gorgeous Mediterranean views. There’s a spa for mama and a Ritz Kids Club for the youngsters.

And if you need more, here is my list of 15 Things To Do In (and around) Herzliya.

There is just so much to see, experience and soak in. That’s why I pushed myself almost (but not quite) to the brink to put together this photoshoot. To really show you, not just tell you, about the family experience that awaits at the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya.

This couch pulls out to a bed at night which is so much more practical than rolling in a cot that gets in the way during the day.

The funniest moment of the whole shoot happened when Shaulie Dovid leaned over and whispered to me, “Why do they even want our photo anyway?” I cracked up.

Ok, so I’m marking this one in the books as a success. 500 proofs later, 25 passable pictures, and a son who wants to know why they’re even taking our photo! Now that Zelda the photographer has packed up her gear I feel the weight lifted and the vacation truly unfolding before me. As my Dad likes to say “don’t call us, we’ll call you!” If you message me and I don’t answer, you'll know why.