The Jacob hotel chain has brought to Modi’in what it was missing: the new Jacob Modi’in Hotel. As someone with relatives in the suburban city, I can attest that this type of establishment was lacking. What I didn’t expect was the air of relaxed luxury that greets you as you walk in.
I was curious, though, as to how Jacob would keep the 85-room hotel full year-round, or at least full enough to make the business worthwhile. Advantageously, it is next to the city’s Azrieli Mall, and close to the famed Anava Park, the central bus station, and the train – just an 18-minute ride to Ben-Gurion Airport.
During my stay, I encountered guests with local grandchildren who had flown in to visit them from the US, people at one of the venues in the area who were part of a large wedding party hailing from several parts of Israel, and several people clearly in town on business.
One family had come for Jacob’s summer water park deal. The star deal this summer has been the Jacob Modi’in Hotel and water park combo. A family of four can spend a night at the hotel and a day at the water park for NIS 1,200 ($360). An added attraction is the water park’s adjacent climbing wall complex, the first of its type in the country, accommodating all climbing styles.
Jacob is housed discreetly on the first and second floors of a building adjacent to the Azrieli Mall complex, with an elevator in the elegant foyer ascending to the two floors (H1 and H2). On the second floor of the hotel is a selection of rooms and suites. Mine had a balcony and was immaculate, inviting, and worthy of the hotel’s five stars. The first floor is taken up by the reception and main dining areas, in the light and airy two-story high atrium.
WITH JACOB now the closest hotel in the country to Ben-Gurion Airport (and to say that the train station is almost on the doorstep of the hotel is only a slight exaggeration), it is the perfect meet-up spot for international and local business people. Informal meetings can be held in multiple charming corners of the hotel, and conference and meeting rooms seat from 18 to 110 people. One of the largest halls is currently designated as a synagogue.
There are no mini-bars in the rooms, just mini fridges – and Nespresso, of course. There are also two large safe rooms on each floor, each well stocked with appealing children’s toys.
The Jacob hotel chain also has establishments in Tiberias, Eilat, Tel Aviv, Hadera, Mitzpe Ramon, Neveh Ativ, and Nahariya. Their philosophy is that each is intrinsically linked to its environment, and therefore a stay at one of them means exploring its surroundings, too. In this vein, we reviewers were encouraged to visit the water and climbing attractions and the Hasmonean Heritage Museum, and explore the trend-setting Shlosha BaCafe in adjacent community settlement of Lapid about five kilometers to the northeast, as well as the famed Beer Bazaar in nearby Kfar Daniel (next to a delicious bakery).
The staff at Jacob were all delightful individuals whose friendly demeanor enhanced my stay. The evening brought live jazz melodies to the massive outdoor terrace where select gourmet tapas-style items were served, and a circular bar conjured up surprising cocktails.
Jacob Modi’in Hotel, Ar’ar Street 13, Modi’in Maccabim-Reut. Call reception at 076-532-1199; for bookings and more info, call *6367 or email: reception.modiin@jacobhotels.com
Coffee cart
Hidden away on the Lapid Promenade, off the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, is the trendy and charming Shalosh BaCafe (Three at the Cafe) coffee cart, surrounded by tables and chairs set out in nature. It is owned by three strong, determined, and extremely hospitable women. Sharon is a phototherapist with a love of photography and traveling. Hagit is a science teacher with a passion for the environment and healthy eating. Tami hails from the hi-tech sector and is both an interior designer and a guide at Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.
The three serve their guests with gusto and good vibes. Their delicious food is vegetarian (some vegan, some gluten-free) and prepared daily from fresh produce. There is a selection of sandwiches, salads, pastries, smoothies, acai, muesli, cakes, and cookies. The coffee is excellent, and, despite being situated almost in the middle of nowhere, the cart offers the widest variety of milks – both real and made from soy, oat, and nut alternatives – that I have encountered outside of a supermarket.
Open Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 6:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 055-970 4339, or write to shaloshbacafe@gmail.com
Water Park Modi’in
Modi’in’s Water Park, an approximately 10-minute drive from Jacob, is relatively small, with a family atmosphere and ample shade, along with areas suitable for sunbathing, as well as age-appropriate pools and pool sections, and with a separate pool for serious swimming. Of the four water slides, one is aimed specifically at toddlers; the others are suitable for children aged four to 12.
The complex also sports a surfing pool, which youngsters over 1.30 meters tall can enjoy for an extra NIS 45 per hour. A kiosk serves pizza and ice cream.
Emek HaEla St. 255. Entrance fee: NIS 80 (NIS 40 for Modi’in residents). Additional NIS 45 per hour for the surf pool. For opening hours and more information, call (08) 915-1121.
Climbing wall
The first complex of its kind in Israel, The Wall offers a selection of outdoor, protected, and shaded walls covering all climbing disciplines.
Also at Emek HaEla St. 255. For opening hours and more information, call (08) 375-0575 or 052-900-3253.
Hasmonean Heritage Museum
The Hasmonean Heritage Museum is situated opposite Jacob along the promenade known as the “Ma’ar” (acronym for merkaz asakim rashi – main commercial center) at 24 Dam Maccabim Street, where stores, cafes, ice-cream parlors, and restaurants line the sidewalk on the ground floors of low-rise residential and office buildings.
The museum ties in today’s modern Modi’in with the history of the Maccabees (2nd to 1st centuries BCE) and the Land of Israel. In addition to its permanent exhibition of antiquities, fun-filled workshops primarily for children, and a sensory journey through time, the museum exhibits relevant work by modern, independent artists. Currently on show is Touching the Silk, the Warm Earth by Orit Ishay, curated by Nitza Perry and Meyrav Shay, which runs through October 25.
Entrance fees: Families (two adults, two children) NIS 99; adults NIS 60 (residents NIS 40); children from age five, NIS 25 (younger children get in free). Special prices for soldiers and students.
Open Monday, 4 – 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 4 – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call (08) 973-7344 or email: meyrav@modiinmuseum.org.il
Beer Bazaar
An 18 km. drive from Jacob in Kfar Daniel brings you to the home of the original Beer Bazaar and its headquarters (it has branches in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv), the ideal venue for many types of experiences, from team building to therapeutic relaxation. Founded and run by beer enthusiasts who define their business as “a craft beer hobby that got out of hand,” their excitement is palpable and catching. Who knew so much went into making beer, or that the subject could be so fascinating! The brewery has 12 craft beer taps, indoor and outdoor seating and, when inside, giant glass windows provide a view of the brewery itself. Happy hour (one-plus-one) is from 6 to 8 p.m.
Beer Bazaar has also recently introduced a colorful line of canned “cocktails,” such as sangria and whisky sour.
Its weekly calendar has slots for lectures, stand-up comedy and live music, along with special deals on beer and delicious homemade pizza. An eclectic farmers’ market is set up on Fridays.
Open Sunday to Wednesday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Thursday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays after Shabbat from 8:45 p.m. to 1 a.m. For more information, call: 072-372-7490, or write to bbx@beerbazaar.co.il
The writer was a guest of the hotel.