On Yom Haatsmaut, Israel’s independence day, we travelled north to Tiberias with the kids (two boys aged 9 and 4) for a nice long weekend away from home. My wife made the arrangements and booked us into the Leonardo Club Hotel in Tiberias.
About the Leonardo Club Hotel Tiberias (LCH, T):
LCH, T is conveniently located in the middle of Tiberias. It is literally a minutes walk from the promenade and the boardwalk of Tiberias. The hotel is an all-inclusive resort style hotel and has 398 rooms available for guests.
There is an outdoor pool, heated and covered in the winter and has a small shallow toddler pool sectioned off from the main pool, perfect for the little ones. We saw the spa and a games room for the kids set up with Sony PlayStation’s. In the evening there was live performance shows, free for all to watch, and definitely geared for family viewing. During the day there were activities – movies, shows etc. – for the kids as well.
When we were there, the hotel was in the middle of completing a set of three water slides that once opened, will add to the kids and young at hearts enjoyment for sure. Too bad it wasn’t ready when we arrived. It was close to being completed, so hopefully they will be ready for our next visit.
Review:
I should say that this was my (our) first time staying at the LCH, T. We have stayed in other all-inclusive club style hotels in Israel, but this was our first for a Fattal hotel.
So, let me start by saying this, if you need a place to stay Tiberias with the kids, this hotel is one to consider. Please note that when I say kids, I would say ages from two or three, to preteen children. Teens and older might be bored with a place like this and think it to be uncool to stay at this hotel (or any hotel like this one, for that matter).
The hotel was packed and full of families with young children and all seemed to be having a good time. Both of our boys were able to find their way around fairly easily and once the found the game room, they were there or by the pool with us.
The Rooms:
We received a room on the 7th floor. It was of good size, had a flat screen tv, and a bathroom with a shower and bath as one. A closet and safe were there is well. The beds that we had were an opened couch bed with what seemed to be a second cot pushed up be side it for the kids, and two twins pushed together for the adults. The beds, both for the kids and ours, were not brand new, but they were comfortable enough. No complaints at all.
With the sofa bed opened, and the added cot in the room, the space was a little tight, but it was manageable. Besides, in a resort hotel like this, you don’t spend much time in the room anyways.
The room also had a small balcony and we paid for the upgrade to the lake-side view.
The only complaint I could say about the room, and it seems to be an issue with many older hotels, is that they still had carpet instead of wood flooring on the floors. In my mind, carpets just never seem to be clean enough. The carpet in our room was fine, I did not notice any stains or fraying strands or tears, but a wood floor, faux or real, would have been a nicer touch.
The Bathroom:
The bathroom was a regular size (small but functional) and normally fixtured bath room (counter, sink, toilet and shower/ bath combination) and it was clean without any signs of mold. It did seem to be recently renovated, as the ceramic tile was still very shiny and unchipped, and the grout was still white all over.
One thing that I really liked was the water pressure in the shower. When I adjusted the shower head to spray the water in finer flow, the pressure, was strong to the point that the water hitting me was almost hurting (mind your sensitive areas!). Of course, the water pressure can be adjusted, and you can also adjust the shower head for a lower flow. The water was warmed up fairly quickly. Taking a shower or bath was fine.
No complaints other than that when someone is using the bathroom, for the most part, no-one else can. But, again, normal for this type of hotel room layout.
The Pool:
The pool was large enough for relaxing and enjoying with the kids. If you are someone who likes to get in a workout swim, from what we saw, you would have to get to the pool early in the morning, while most guests are enjoying their breakfast, in order to have the space to swim laps. Afterwards it’s just to crowded. There is a shallow kiddies pool section for the toddlers and such, but, parents need to watch their kids, as the lifeguard does not really see this section of the pool.
The deck around the pool has plenty of chairs with tables to sit and have a drink and soak up the sun, but like a workout swim, plan on getting there a little earlier in the morning to stake out a good spot. The deck around the pool is wooden and the tables and chairs are screwed into the wood, so you are not able to move chairs around or add chairs to your section of space. This actually works out quite well as order is maintained and you are able to walk around the deck area with a little more ease than if people could place chairs wherever they like.
They also do some kid friendly activities around the pool with costumed characters leading aerobic / dance activity in the later part of the morning. Note that the PA system is used for this event, so catching a nap at the pool during this time may not be possible. But it is a fun event and those that got involved seemed to have fun with it.
Popsicles were also available for the taking by the pool too.
They are also building a small set of three water slides that weren’t quite read yet when we where there, but could be finished by the time that you are reading this. The slides aren’t monumental, but they will definitely add a fun factor for the kids.
The Dining Room / The Food:
The dining halls are located on the main floor of the hotel and are large enough to hold all the guests at the same time. They are nothing too fancy, and have a cafeteria feel, but they are functional and large and open.
The food was good and was typical buffet style for Israel. Breakfasts had all the regular Israeli style foods – salads, cheeses, eggs, pastries etc. Lunches and dinners were meat, with sides, salads and vegetables, and there was enough options to satisfy most people. Friday night dinner added sushi to the buffet, but I did not have any myself. There was of course the typical kids selection of chicken nuggets, chips and hot dogs. As I said, the food was good, nothing wrong with it, but at the same time, nothing really jumped out at me as something extra special. I personally judge buffet food as being really good if I go back and get a second helping of it. And to be quite honest, there was not any particular serving that I craved to have more of even if I was already full. But again, all the food was tasty and edible – I had no complaints with any of it.
The one thing that was really good and maybe even too much so was the bread. It was always fresh and tasty. The crust was hard and crunchy and the insides were soft and chewy. Mmm. Yes, the bread was really good!
Deserts were pretty good too.
They hotel also had beer, wine and soda taps throughout the hotel, and you were able to help yourself as you liked. The beers were domestic, but they are actually quite good and the red wine was okay. Of course nothing vintage about the wine, but palatable. The main bar outside the restaurant, in the events hall also served hard liquor as well. Nothing from the top-shelf, but if you fancied something a little stronger, it was available as well.
There were also the self-serve taps by the pool.
Other Things:
In the evenings they had a kids friendly variety show – both of the nights that we were there. The shows were actually pretty good and were fun, entertaining and enjoyable as well. Just don’t expect a broadway production, but the talent and presentation was quite good. The shows are free for the guests but they are all done in hebrew.
There is a games room for the kids set up with Sony PS 3’s – which was a big hit with my boys. It is staffed and the hours are posted on a sign outside the door.
The hotel is conveniently located quite close to the boardwalk and the waterfront and the center of Tiberias, so it is not hard to get out and see some of the sites or go and do some shopping if you like.
There is a spa that offers treatments and massages, but we did not use it at all.
The Staff:
The staff were are friendly, pleasant and nice. When I needed to speak in English, they were able to help me. When we needed more towels or something for the room, the service was quick and prompt.
In Closing and Summary:
If you are looking to spend a weekend getaway with the kids in tow, then choosing the LCH, T, is an easy choice. Although the hotel is a little older and showing her age in some spots, I think that you are getting good value for you money. There is enough to do for both the kids and the adults that all parties will have a good time here. Just remember the age range that I mentioned earlier as far as the kids go.
Also keep in mind that even though there is a spa, and I’m guessing, especially on the weekend, the hotel is full of kids, so if you are looking for a romantic or relaxing getaway weekend with your significant other, this is probably not the hotel that you want to go to.
With the kids coming along, I would definitely return to this hotel. It had something for everyone. Just know that since it is an all-inclusive hotel, you will probably be going home with your pants just a little bit tighter.
For what this hotel is and for whom it caters to, I give the Leonardo Club Hotel in Tiberias an overall score of:
8.5/10
I hope that you have found my review helpful.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you
Bernie J. Polster
Coming2Israel.com
coming2israel 
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