A Kosher Passover at Turnberry Isle

Gone are the days of the matriarch laboring over changing pots, slaving over caldrons of chicken soup, chopping apples, and paying $7.99 for ketchup. A not-so-new Passover concept is the all-inclusive resort where every possible luxury accommodates mostly families enjoying religious services, childcare, Jewish entertainment, and over-the-top gourmet food, reminiscent of the Catskills but on steroids and healthier.

Picture the multi-generational Lasko family, who plans for this one Passover experience “topping” last year, all of which requires “big shekels” and is priced accordingly.

Having family Passover all-inclusive experiences since 1985 at Paradise Island, Bonaventure Spa Westin, Innisbrook Golf Resort, and the Ritz Palm Beach, this writer headed to Aventura Resort in Fort Lauderdale for Passover 2025 with adult children and three grandchildren. Aventura, part of the Turnberry Isle Country Club with two golf courses, is especially enticing because of the property’s huge water park. The giant pipe mazes and waterfalls span acres and have kids enthralled … then there’s the Lazy River on which to meander, adjacent to the massive pools. Tidal Cove Water Park offers rides like Master Blaster and Flowrider Triple, the nation’s first three-lane surf simulator, all located around a 60-foot slide tower featuring seven pumping waterslides, and the gravity-defying, high speed Boomerang.

Passover liquor (tequila, gin, vodka) designer cocktails were offered poolside and at dinner (also wine). Not motivated to put on slippers for lunch? Kosher food trucks are adjacent to the pool, offering pizza, barbeque, Ice-ees, ice cream, and made-for-carb craziness. To fill in the gaps, the Parlor and Palm Café offers grazing on unlimited nuts, chocolates, more fruit, and coffee bar.

Security was “drum” tight. Wristbands are checked for all entry points. There are different levels of accommodation for price categories based on proximity to the dining, activities, suites, and the main building. This writer’s group opted for the lowest price in the Orchid Tower, a king room with adjoining queens for a party of six. Both rooms had patios and elegant bathrooms and wonderful linens.

Religious observance suits Orthodoxy but fits all levels with five daily minions and alternates for Sephardi. Some wore shorts and sandals to breakfast or lunch, (not so much for dinner). On the flip side, the most beautiful tzniut (modest) dresses bloomed at night: florals, chiffons, silks, wigs, pleats, elegant sleeves, designer purses, and shoes made one outfit more gorgeous than the next. On holidays, non-Jews stood by all elevators to press buttons and walk guests to rooms to utilize keys. If a tea bag was selected, a server was called to tear the paper. Torah educators like Rabbi Moshe Nachbar held learning sessions. Shabbat dinner, when heads of households rose to bless children, was a cacophony of tunes, sentimentally bringing this writer to tears.

Other speakers included Adam Neuman, chief of staff for the Baltimore Ravens, an anonymous IDF hostage negotiator, and Eli Beer of United Hatzalah. Theme nights were Restaurant Row, Culinary Bizarre, Sear ‘n Savor, and the most spectacular “Disney,” where costumed characters and princesses roamed the dining room with neon swords and balloons … and fun house mirrors made for photo heaven.

Many nights offered a buffet and five-star “ordering off the menu.” Stations ranged from Mexican, Mediterranean/Israeli, Asian, Italian, Spa Cuisine, fresh smoothies and fresh fruit slicing, omelet stations, salad bar (enough for a meal alone), prime cut meats/ lamb. How is dessert done for Passover? Do nuts, mousse, layer cakes … the dramatic nitrous ice cream bar was a magical hit with kids. De riguer bagels, and smoked white fish, lox for breakfast. The dining staff was extremely accommodating. As most of the dining staff were Latinos, this writer wondered if they go home and tell their families about “the Jews who can’t press elevators buttons and ask that their tangerines be peeled.”

The bottom line: this writer’s group only stayed the back half of the holiday. The first half with seders was also available for around the same price, which was $29,000 for four days for the three kids and three adults (plus airfare). And it’s OK to bring the family dog.