Haifa Bay View

The former Nof Hotel in Haifa has now become the Haifa Bay View Hotel (not to be confused with Atlas’ Bay Club Haifa, which is incidentally the top hotel in the city after a mere year of existence). With nice views of the sea from atop Mount Carmel, the recently renovated Bay View hotel looks quite nice, a solid three star option. We appreciate the pops of color from the decorative pillows and side tables in the otherwise plain guestrooms, and we love the lobby and public areas, which are inviting and welcoming with a fun, unpretentious vibe thanks to the wood flooring, an assortment of retro style furnishings in bright colors, large windows, and subdued lighting. Amenities are a little lacking, with a fitness center and Chinese restaurant but no pool or spa, although at this price ($130 a night, including breakfast or $110 without), this is a great option for exploring the city. The hotel seems to be related to Crowne Plaza in some way, although it’s not part of IHG rewards and it’s not on their website (nor on any English website, for that matter. Maybe that’s still to come). Reviews are actually quite positive, although travelers have been griping about the “cheap” breakfast buffet which could use some more diverse offerings.