eilat or dead sea?
 

which location does anyone suggest for a quiet, relaxing beach/poolside upscale hotel vacation in march before passover for a married couple in their 50's?

It depends a lot on how long you will be in Israel. Eilat is not a good idea for a short vacation because going to and from takes too much time. The Dead Sea is a short ride from Jerusalem and I assume that you will be visiting Ein Gedi and Masada anyway. The advantages of Eilat are that you can go to Petra from there and can visit places like Mizpe Ramon, Yotvata and Timna on the way (if you drive).

I was last year both in Eilat and the Dead Sea. I say Eilat. There is an airport nearer than Jerusalem, I just don´t remember the name (Ovda?), and also the bus trip Jerusalem-Eilat is not too much. I did a day trip to Jerusalem from Eilat. If I would need cure for psoriasis I would say The Dead Sea, but if you have have nothing that needs healing, I say Eilat.

If you want a beach vacation, you also need a beach, and water were you can actually swim. The Dead Sea water is not something you happily splash around and dive into.

You can't swim in the Dead Sea. For healing, mud baths and local visits to Ein Gedi and Masada, then yeh. But, if it's beach you want, then Eilat.

Believe there are two small airports, one outside TLV and the other JER that have domestic flights to Eilat. One-hour and you're there. Air fare is reasonable when included with a hotel package.

Hi
We've stayed at both Ein Bokek and eilat It depends om your own likes and dislikes. we enjoyed swimming in the pool at the hotel as well as being in driving distance from Masada. The hotels are very nice. We stayed at the Crown Plaza, a very nice hotel. This year we stayed in Eilat at the Dan Eilat right on the beach also. A very beautiful hotel. My choice, though both are excellent would be the Dan, the promonade made the difference. walking out at night and finding an interesting restaurant or meal. there is more to see especially along the promonade, though either is very good.

thanks all for your suggestions, it will be eilat. we will stay at isrotel royal beach, which i believe is near the promenade.