Welcome to a new era of tourism where petite hotels with unique personality and quirky furnishings have outmatched impersonal, echoey hotels. A visit to a boutique hotel gives you the rare experience to taste and feel a city in a completely different way. They are smaller, more intimate and they often reside on some of the best corners of urban cities. Tel Aviv, the high energy beach town has caught on to the boutique-trend with dozens of artistic and original hotels popping up all over town. TripExpert takes a look at some of the best on offer.
Most recently crowned ‘The Best Hotel in the Middle East’ by luxury travel magazine Conde Nast, The Norman hotel has delighted guests since it first opened its doors in 2014. Located steps away from Tel Aviv’s illustrious Rothschild Boulevard, The Norman has 50 uniquely designed rooms bursting with historical character and featuring Israeli artwork. The hotel also boasts one of the finest restaurants and bar in Tel Aviv.
Located in the heart of Tel Aviv’s hip urban scene and only a short ten minute walk from Tel Aviv’s famous beach, the Brown TLV hotel is kookily furnished with mid-century inspired furniture, vintage Playboy photography, finished/topped with some seriously impressive artwork. The Brown TLV offers 30 urban-sized bedrooms and a famous rooftop bar. The hotel also throws in complimentary bicycles to tour the city with, and free access to a nearby gym— so you can really feel like a local.
An oasis of style, the Hotel Montefiore is best known for its exquisite furnishing and eclectic Bauhaus architecture. Originally built in 1922, and restored in 2008, the Hotel Montefiore has decades of rich history that permeate from its 12 elegant rooms. The hotel also boasts a brasserie-style chef restaurant and an old-world inspired jazz bar.
The Jaffa Hotel offers a mix of old and new with its 19th century building that once housed Jaffa’s French hospital. With 120 rooms to choose from, the hotel provides some stunning views of historic Jaffa and its devastating beautiful coastline. The hotel has a new wing with more updated modern style furnishing for those looking for a more streamlined look. Inspired by New York, the Jaffa Hotel has its own Italian-American restaurant, Don Camillo.
A hotel seeped in century old history, Hotel Nordoy is one of the longest-running hotels in Tel Aviv. Built in 1925, the building is well-known for its distinctive dome-like shape, historical interiors and contemporary art. With a modest 20 rooms on offer, the hotel serves a quiet atmosphere, a rooftop lounge and a luxury spa.
Located in the uber-cool and urban South Tel Aviv neighborhood, The Poli House reflects the cities eclectic culture and design. With 40 luxurious and modern rooms, a heated rooftop pool and rooftop bar, The Poli House is the ultimate in modern-leisure. The building boasts Bauhaus architecture, and has been carefully restored by the world-renowned Egyptian interior designer Karim Rashid.
Named after its historic street, this design-inspired boutique hotel is located just minutes from the coastline, and reflects the contemporary spirit of the city. Although the hotel has been welcoming guests since its opening in 1960, the hotel remains fresh and sophisticated. With 66 elegant rooms on offer, Mendli features the very latest in Israeli art and furnishings. The Mendeli Street Hotel is well known for its famous gourmet breakfast, or you can visit Mashya, Mendli’s onsite chef-restaurant offering traditional cuisine.
The State of Israel boasts more than just religious relics, tasty hummus, and camel rides. First, newcomers might be surprised to learn that as small as the country is, its landscape varies from lush greenery in the north, beautiful beaches on the Western coast, mountainous regions surrounding Jerusalem, and endless stretches of desert in the south. Next, there’s a solid offering of boutique and luxury hotels all across the land that cater to discerning visitors traveling from both near and far. Whether you need to rest your head while touring the bigger cities or are interested in discrete, bespoke lodging in the midst of nature, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to high-end hospitality in Israel. We’re proud to reveal our roundup of the can’t-miss hotels in Israel that have been vetted and approved by the experts.
The 2014 opening of the five-star Norman Hotel brought a new level of class and sophistication to Tel Aviv’s hotel scene, which is saturated largely with hotel chains on the sea and smaller boutique offerings scattered across the city. Spread across two Bauhaus buildings restored from the 1920s, The Norman’s old-world charm prompted Mr & Mrs Smith to deem the grounds “as glamorous as a silver-screen starlet.” Conde Nast Traveller designated The Norman as the best hotel in Africa and the Middle East in October 2018, in large part thanks to its best-in-class customer service, two gourmand-approved restaurants, and stately Library Bar.
The King David (Jerusalem)
Strategically located a short walk away from Jerusalem’s Old City, The King David Hotel hasn’t lost a bit of its polish or esteemed reputation since opening its doors nearly a century ago. Famous for hosting politicians, dignitaries, and celebrities from around the world, The King David was visited by the likes of Donald Trump and Prince William in 2018. We recommend this hotel for families, kosher-keeping patrons, and discerning guests seeking formal hospitality.
Beresheet is the Negev’s crowned jewel, offering five-star hospitality across 12 acres of property and 111 villas. Southern Israel’s most deluxe resort provides guests with unbeatable views of the Ramon Crater, as well as top-notch service, amenities, and respite from the hustle and bustle of the country’s more toured and saturated areas. Don’t fret if you can’t book one of the 39 rooms that come with a private pool; you can still enjoy Beresheet’s outdoor infinity pool, which was voted “Coolest Hotel Pool in the World” in 2018 by Travel Agent Central.
A Luxury Collection Hotel under the helm of New York-based real estate tycoon Aby Rosen, the recently opened Jaffa—housed in a 19th-century former hospital and monastery—is prompting Tel Avivians to flock south to its namesake neighborhood. The juxtaposition of historical grounds with contemporary interiors makes for a beguiling space that, according to The Telegraph, “begs to be explored.” With its stained-glass windows and high-arched ceilings, the Chapel is perhaps the most awe-inspiring feature on the property, and has already established itself as both a nightlife hotspot and a stunning venue for weddings and special events.
Elma Arts Complex (Zichron Yaakov)
Elma Arts Complex (Zichron Yaakov)
While the Elma’s architecture may be described as Brutalist, a visit to this 95-room, arts-centric oasis is much more welcoming than it may sound. The Elma is as much a luxury hotel as it is a cultural center, boasting high modernist interior design, a plethora of works by Israeli and international artists, and two on-site performing arts venues. We recommend staying here for a uniquely immersive arts experience not far from the ancient ruins of Caesarea and a selection of northern Israel’s best wineries.
Efendi Boutique Hotel (Acre)
Efendi Boutique Hotel (Acre)
Located in the ancient port city of Akko, the Efendi was birthed by merging two late-Ottoman-era mansions into one deluxe structure housing 12 guest rooms. Guests can immerse themselves in the history of the setting by relaxing in the 400-year-old hammam or taking in the breathtaking views of the city’s walls and the Mediterranean Sea on the cocktail deck. Only a short distance away is owner Uri Jeremias’s namesake restaurant, Uri Buri, one of Israel’s most prized restaurants famous for its delectably fresh seafood.
The American Colony Hotel (Jerusalem)
Once a palace for an Ottoman pasha and his harem of four wives, The American Colony Hotel is a five-star walled-in mansion that’s been hosting guests for over a century. Given its strategic location in East Jerusalem and positioning as a beacon of political neutrality, The American Colony is popular with journalists, diplomats, and celebrities seeking access and insight into the city’s less-toured areas without sacrificing comfort, safety, or style. We particularly praise the hotel’s expansive garden courtyard, pink-stoned Cellar Bar, and the Arabesque restaurant’s delectable Saturday buffet.
The Setai (Sea of Galilee)
The Setai (Sea of Galilee)
Perched on the eastern shore of the biblical Sea of Galilee, The Setai opened its doors in June 2017, setting a new standard for high-end hospitality in Israel’s northern region. The Setai is accessible to some of northern Israel’s most visited sites, including Mount Hermon (the country’s sole offering for skiers) and the Golan Heights. We recommend this hotel for guests hoping to indulge in some serious R&R, as The Setai boasts the country’s largest and most well-developed spa complex.
Just another WordPress site
