‘Best Place in Town When The Siren Hits’: Israelis Take to Google To Review Their Bomb Shelters

“Renovated.” “Very spacious.” “Welcoming atmosphere.” “Impeccable.” These are not reviews for posh hotels but for bomb shelters written by Israelis who have spent the past year ducking Iranian missiles. Some have made a habit of rating the spaces they’ve landed in. The reviews, accessible to anyone with Google Maps, offer informative and sometimes mordant dispatches on the public shelters scattered across Israel, some of them managed by hotels and Airbnbs. These communal safe rooms are a lifeline for locals who lack private bomb shelters or who find themselves caught in a bombardment away from home.Some shelters have gained cult followings. One joint in Tel Aviv racked up several five-star reviews, with dwellers praising its “cozy vibes” and solid facilities. “Best place in town when the siren hits. Minimalist design, strong community feeling,” one reviewer wrote. Another declared it their “favorite” in the country: “Two doors for when people are crowding one of them, nice company, spent a lot of time there. Good option to wait it out if someone is trying to kill you.” Others received less flattering reviews. A shelter at Masaryk Square, Tel Aviv, was deemed a “life saver and that’s it,” with one visitor lamenting that “there is no service at all” and that “drinks and food have to be brought from home.” Another frequenter commended the “air conditioning, toilets and armchairs” while kvetching that it becomes “very crowded during an alarm.”Some shelters compensate for a lack of amenities by attracting good company. “This shelter isn’t the most protective. It’s really just a parking lot and doesn’t even have snacks,” one reviewer grumbled. “That said, it was amazing to connect with people from Thailand and beyond.” Meeting the neighbors and their dogs, they conceded, “was a small, beautiful compensation for the lack of proper facilities.”At another privately managed luxury shelter: “The pool and jacuzzi were not operational and the breakfast buffet was sub par. But the impromptu rocket safety seeking community that was built made it all worth it.” Some disputed the assessments left by prior reviewers. “Really good one with w/c, showers, a/c” is how one woman rated a Herzliya shelter about eight months ago, around the time of the 12-day Iran-Israel war. In the most recent conflict, a one-star reviewer shot back: “What bathroom? It’s just a room above ground and it’s full of cockroaches.”Other highlights include: “Amazing experience, will come again next missile,” and “Great bomb shelter. Smooth, midcentury concrete floors, no mold, and is well-insulated from the sound of explosions. Will definitely come back during the next missile silo!” And a personal favorite: “The bomb shelter did not explode. 5 Stars!”

‘Best Place in Town When The Siren Hits’: Israelis Take to Google To Review Their Bomb Shelters

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