Kibbutz Snir - a Family-Friendly, Boutique-chic Option in the Upper Galilee Region
by Melissa Mertzman
As an American visiting Israel for the first time, I had a very loose concept of what it would be like to stay on a kibbutz. I’ll admit my misinformed perception was that some level of “roughing it” would be involved. However, when I visited Kibbutz Snir with my husband and two sons (ages 7 and 13) we were all pleasantly surprised.
Kibbutz Snir lies on the seam between the Golan Heights and the Upper Galilee, within the Banias Reserve. I should preface this review by stating we visited Kibbutz Snir during the sabbath, and in fact, we arrived just after the start of sabbath when the front reception desk would have been closed. Fortunately, knowing that we were expected, the receptionist waited for us and was very kind and welcoming upon our arrival. We instantly felt welcome and at ease.
The boutique guesting rooms at Kibbutz Snir easily compete with nicer boutique hotels that you would find in locations like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They are efficiently designed, well-appointed, clean, and receive very good sunlight. The décor was fresh and modern, and the sweeping views from the yard of rolling hills, mountains, and fields were quite beautiful.
The bed in the master bedroom was comfortable, with quality linens, and the room felt spacious to me and my 1.9-meter-tall husband. There was a relatively new LCD television with cable, a small desk and a nicely sized closet. In particular, the deck off the master bedroom with table and chairs was a highlight for us, and a romantic place to spend the evening after the boys had gone to sleep.
The bathroom seemed luxurious, with a large jacuzzi tub that all of us enjoyed. Two people could easily fit inside the bathtub at the same time. Further, the bathroom vanity contained a large counter top and shelves, providing easy storage for toiletries. Between the closet and the bathroom space, it’s clear that one could spend an extended amount of time at Kibbutz Snir without feeling as though they were living out of a suitcase.
The living room contained a comfortable sofa, small refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The sofa in the living room opened up into a trundle bed that comfortably accommodated both our boys, and there was a door between the master bedroom and living room to offer parents some privacy.
The kibbutz itself is peaceful to walk around. The front yard had multiple tables, chairs and tree swings, creating a relaxing environment that seemed like home. The pool wasn’t open for the season when we visited, but it looked like a beautiful setting. There are also tennis and basketball courts for use. One aspect we particularly appreciated was the playground, which the boys thoroughly enjoyed.
A highlights for us was the on-site restaurant, Adamah. Again, as with the rooms, the fresh, modern décor is striking. It creates an environment that you want to spend time in and adds to the relaxed feel. The seating is community-style and the food is offered as a buffet. The buffet enabled us to sample many different dishes and eat at our own pace, which is always helpful with young children. One highlight at the buffet was the gefilte fish. It was served warm, with tomato sauce, and seasoned somewhat like an Italian sausage, which tasted very good. It was the first time my husband had sampled gefilte fish, so I was thankful for him to have an experience that was much better than the fist-sized, gelatin-covered version I had been raised to know.
Overall, we would definitely recommend Kibbutz Snir. For families especially, it offers a reasonably priced option that allows you to live in more of an apartment style setting than would be offered by a hotel. The fresh modern décor, efficient and well-thought-out design, and proximity to so many sites and attractions makes it a true gem in the Upper Galilee region.
