Ginot Yam Hotel

If you are not a spa-man and you need only simple comfort without any luxury stuff and moreover you want to spare your money and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea you are most welcome in one of Netanya’s 3 star hotels named “Ginot Yam” that can be translated as the gardens by the sea.

The hotel is not very big in comparison to its ‘neighbours’. It has only 54 rooms, one hall and a dining-room. There is an elevator. As their ad says the rooms have luxury bathrooms…don’t believe. The bathrooms are as small as in any 3 star hotels but they are clean and the towels are changed every day. The room service is fine organized. There is a TV-set, a fridge, an air conditioner and a wardrobe, with plenty of hangers, in the room. The cool floor is not covered by any carpet so take slippers with you because the room won’t provide you with them. There is also a hair-dryer. Find it in one of the drawers of the writing table. The walls are thin, to tell you the truth. So be patient if your neighbours are kind old women with rough voices that might turn your sweet dreams into the most wicked nightmare…but it’s not a big deal because the hotel is very well located! 

The sea is within 100 metres, the main square with an amazing musical fountain is very close and there are a lot of cafes, exchange points and gift shops in a walking street for tourists called Herzler St. Always order business lunch because the portions are huge and they give you, in most of the cafes, a free desert in addition to that.

As for the administrators of Ginot Yam, there are very helpful and pleasant ladies. I won’t reveal their names, however, one of them speaks Yiddish and English and a little Russian, the other one is perfect in Russian and Yiddish. Her name starts with the letter “A”. If you ever meet her, you would never forget about her ability to be always ready to help the guests with everything. She is like a local goddess.  It goes without saying, good staff is the face of the hotel.

Breakfast time

Ginot Yam offers only breakfast. If you like sausages, chicken and bacon, you will be disappointed. The menu looks more vegetarian. There are only boiled eggs, cheese, butter, several kinds of vegetables, two kinds of jam, buns, some fish, some salads, olives and sour cream with local tasty curd. There are also warm dishes like boiled buckwheat, boiled potatoes and stewed cabbage. Though if you stay at the hotel yourself, the menu might differ, one never knows…By the way, you can ask for a teapot at the register desk and take as much boiled water as you wish. You can easily use the microwave oven and iron after asking for permission, of course.

The price for a room per night is democratic. Some people say, they are the lowest prices in all Netanya. 

Wi-fi is in the hall and in the stairwells. If you don’t want to take a laptop with you to a trip, there is a pc to your service in the hall. By the way, there is a good library and table games at your service.

The view from the hall window is very romantic. And the view from the top of the hotel is magic. Have a look!

 If I ever go back to Netanya, I would choose Ginot Yam.