Six Senses Shaharut, Milos Dead Sea, NYX Herzliya, and More

Busy, busy, busy. With the last of the holidays behind us and the wintery weather just beginning to set in, Israel's lovely hotel chains are looking towards the future in a big way. First, Dan Hotels, after a very long time of languishing on its laurels, has decided to open not only a new hotel, but a new concept. And if you guessed casual-lifestyle-millenial-business, you'd be just about right. Dan's Facebook page describes the upcoming Link Hotel and Hub (so you know it's about business) as a new and exciting concept in Tel Aviv. The 94-room hotel will be housed in a converted office building just off of Shaul Hamelech Boulevard in the busy center. Of course, as an article in Globes observes (and thanks to tipster Ruthie for pointing it out), Link seems to be taking a direct aim at Fattal's newest brand, NYX. NYX already has one uber-hip property in Tel Aviv and will soon be expanding to second hotel in Herzliya, due to open in January. The new hotel will have 163 rooms and suites, public spaces adorned with street art, a pool, spa, conference facilities, rooftop bar, and social media connections (whatever that means). Meanwhile, over at Orchid Hotels, the brand is sticking to what it knows, following up on its Herbert Samuel Jerusalem with a second boutique in Tel Aviv, housed in the famed Opera Tower. This 50-room hotel promises breathtaking views and a design that is "modern", "contemporary", and "state of the art". But they're missing the lifestyle bandwagon. Maybe that will be promoted more in Orchid's other project, transforming the dilapidated Tzel Harim in the Dead Sea into the Milos Dead Sea, which will couple "an authentic Greek ambience" with the "relaxing serenity of the Dead Sea". We smell kitschy. But have no fear, because if it's a world-class luxury spa getaway you're looking for, just hold on a few years until the Six Senses Shaharut opens. Six Senses, an international brand known for its spa-inspired resorts in exclusive locations, has announced the Negev Desert as its next chosen locale. Housed in low-rise villas designed to meld into the landscape, the hotel is spread across 47 acres and will contain just s65 rooms, along with a spa, pool, and cool amenities like a camel farm and an Earth Lab, dedicated to sustainability. Many of the rooms will have private pools, including some of the lowest- category junior suites, which start at a spacious 495 square feet. It is far, though, clocking a 3.5 hour drive from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, although the drive is supposedly part of the experience. Watch out, Beresheet. You're not the only desert game in town! Anyway, we're ready to clock out. We could use some Shaharut.