Valley resorts offer posh Passover packages
BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN
Special to Jewish News
After spending countless hours scouring their homes for chametz, it's likely the last thing local Jews want to do is think about next year's Passover.
But for members of the local Jewish community looking to avoid the headaches of preparing for Pesach in 2006, three Valley resorts host posh packages to help them celebrate in style.
While hundreds of Jews from around the world flock to the Arizona Biltmore, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort every year for Passover, Laurie Neuman van Esschoten, owner and manager of the Ontario Travel Bureau in Ontario, Calif., says tourists are not the only ones sitting pretty during the annual holiday.
"What is appealing is that these are luxury resorts, so you've got the benefit of the comfort and the benefit of observant Jews not having to turn their houses upside down to get ready for Passover," van Esschoten says.
East Coast-based tour companies organize each of the Passover packages, typically lasting 10 days and 11 nights.
New York's Leisure Time Tours and Presidential Kosher Holidays present packages at the Biltmore and Scottsdale Princess, respectively, while Davie, Fla.-based Lasko Family Kosher Tours organizes the Desert Ridge Resort program.
While arrangements have not been finalized for 2006, van Esschoten says they typically include a proper seder, religious services at onsite synagogues, workshops and programs for both kids and teens, in addition to the luxury of the resorts. Unique Jewish entertainment, such as cantor-led or private-table sedorim at the Desert Ridge Resort and stand-up comedy at the Fairmont Princess, is also provided.
Meals at all three resorts are certified glatt kosher under the supervision of the Greater Phoenix Vaad Hakashruth, and are prepared by kosher catering companies, usually based out of New York, that work in tandem with each establishment's kitchen staff.
Due to the popularity of these packages, van Esschoten recommends booking as early as October, especially for the Biltmore, which sells out early.
While Jews can make reservations with the tour companies directly, van Esschoten says travel agencies such as hers charge the same amount and can recommend the best package based on amenities and cost.
Although prices will fluctuate from year to year, van Esschoten says the 2005 rates for an 11-day, 10-night stay at the Biltmore ranged from $3,299 to $4,899, based on the type of room and occupancy. Prices are $2,199 to $5,699 at the JW Marriott and $3,100 to $6,200 at the Fairmont Princess for similar packages.
The latter two resorts also offer single-night packages for $219 to $599 and $350 to $1,250, respectively.
But van Esschoten says such rates are a small price to pay for a lavish, and more importantly, hassle-free Pesach.
"It's an appealing prospect to Jews everywhere, including in Phoenix," she says. "They don't have to go through the business of kashering their kitchen for Passover; let someone else do all the work and then go home afterwards."
Contact Presidential Kosher Holidays, (800) 950-1240; Leisure Time Tours, (800) 223-2624; Lasko Family Kosher Tours, (800) 532-9119; or the Ontario Travel Bureau, (800) 893-5617.
Benjamin Leatherman is a freelance writer based in Tempe.
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