Brown TLV

Featured in the New York Times Magazine as "the place to stay in Tel Aviv", the new Brown TLV hotel looks lovely, with some of the nicest rooms we've ever seen in Israel. Unfortunately, TripAdvisor reviewers call the rooms small, the location iffy, and the design impractical- open bathrooms, racy art, etc. But, the service is great and most of the reviewers said that they would return. While we're not sure why the NYT thinks this is the best place to stay, it seems like an overall nice boutique, for the young and hip crowd that don't mind the design faults. For anyone else, though, we would recommend going elsewhere. Please note: Unless otherwise indicated, IsraelGuest is simply posting its own opinion, based on TripAdvisor reviews and other indicated sources. IsraelGuest representatives have not been guests of the hotels.

The Most Misleading Hotel Award

Blue Bay Hotel and Spa, as described on the website (with pictures of gorgeous rooms, a stunning pool, and a beautiful exterior):
"The new Blue Bay Hotel and Spa lies on a cliff at a beautiful location, by the sky blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel's location, 20 miles north of Tel-Aviv, is far from the city's commotion yet close to shopping and entertainment centers. The pastoral atmosphere provides a perfect setting for the hotel rooms located on the cliff, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea."
Rates are affordable, and the website gives you the urge to book. But, as one TripAdvisor reviewer writes, "I call this place the Hotel from Hell. I'd seen pictures of this hotel before I came and I thought it looked good so I thought everything would be fine." Another writes, "The online picture of this hotel is beautiful as is the outside of the hotel, but only from a distance." It seems that lots of people fall for the website. But, as the reviewers write, in fact the "new" hotel is old, with worn carpeting and furniture, a virtually non- existent Spa, nasty staff, bad food, bugs and ants in the room, and broken gym equipment. Even so, the Blue Bay still seems better than some of the other hotels in Netanya. Please note: Unless otherwise indicated, IsraelGuest is simply posting its own opinion, based on TripAdvisor reviews and other indicated sources. IsraelGuest representatives have not been guests of the hotels.

Netanya Hotels

Yes, we know- a dirty, gross city overrun with French people. Who would go there?
But even so, this city has over a dozen beachfront hotels. But which hotels are best? The results:
Netanya has virtually no good hotels. Most of the TripAdvisor reviews and photos are so horrible. Luckily, we can still recommend three hotels.

1. The Seasons
Yes, you predicted it. Reviewers appreciate cleanliness, large rooms, sea views, and kind staff, although there are complaints about the dated decor, and the exterior looks like it could use an update.
2. King Solomon
This hotel is a "regular" Israeli hotel, with pretty good food, a basic although old pool, and renovated interiors that are described as clean and pleasant. The rooms here are very nice (compared to other Netanya hotels).
3. Residence Beach
This hotel has great reviews, praising the staff and large accommodations, and amazing views. But the hotel's interior looks really dated, and the exterior makes the Seasons' look good.
Please note: Unless otherwise indicated, IsraelGuest is simply posting its own opinion, based on TripAdvisor reviews and other indicated sources. IsraelGuest representatives have not been guests of the hotels.

Kempinski Tel Aviv Hotel

While taking a tour of Tel Aviv yesterday, we noticed a skeleton right on the beach that piqued our curiosity. We are proud to unveil:
Henry Taic plans to build the first Kempinski Hotel in Israel as part of the David Promenade Residences under construction on Tel Aviv's seafront.

Taic's company, Nahal Group, signed an agreement with Kempinski Hotels AG last week to establish a luxury hotel on half the eight-dunam (two-acre) lot owned by Nahal on Herbert Samuel Street in Tel Aviv near the US Embassy. The Kempinski Tel Aviv Hotel will have 220 rooms, including 50 suites, on 23 floors. It is due to open in 2013.

The Kempinski Tel Aviv Hotel will be attached by glass cube to the 25-storey David Promenade Residences, which will have 60-70 luxury apartments ranging in size from 100 square meters to 1,000-square meter duplexes. Residents will have use of the hotel's facilities.

Nahal owns the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv, the Le Meridien Dead Sea Hotel, and Grand Court Hotel Jerusalem

Kempinski Hotels was founded in 1897. The luxury European chain how has 60 hotels worldwide, with 43 more planned for Europe and Asia.

If this hotel is up to Kempinski standards, it will far surpass Tel Aviv's rather drab selection of luxury hotels.

First published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 18, 2010

Herzliya Hotels

Currently, the top hotels in Herzliya are the Dan Accadia and the Daniel. Are these two hotels poised to compete with the Ritz Carlton? The Dan Accadia's guest rooms in the main building have just been renovated, and the lobby and public spaces have been spruced up. It enjoys a good location right on the beach and exclusive chalet rooms with patios or balconies. But the exterior is aging, and the pool area is not so nice. For a one night stay on October 12-13th, the rate for a standard room is $450 USD, and a garden Chalet room is $650. The Daniel's exterior is also lacking, with a very rundown look. Inside, though, the rooms are large and pretty, the beach side pool is stunning, and the Shizen spa and its separate guest rooms are a definite plus. The rate for the same dates is $309.95 USD for a superior room. The Ritz Carlton's location is atop the Marina Mall, right on the marina. This means that the beach will be a short drive away, not on site. The lack of grounds and a more urban feel will certainly distinguish it from the other hotels. The public spaces and guest rooms, as well as the service are expected to be luxurious, as assumed from a Ritz Carlton. The rates at the Ritz will most likely be in the $500- $700 range for these dates. So, the question remains- will loyal patrons of other hotels switch to the new kid on the block? Or will they continue to return to the classic beach side resorts?

Dan's Fourth Jerusalem Hotel

The Dan Jerusalem, formerly the Regency, now joins the King David, Dan Boutique, and Dan Panorama hotels. The hotel, back in its Regency days, enjoyed reviews such as "Our stay at the Regency Jerusalem proved to be a nightmare!" or "Run, Run Fast! Oh and don't forget your Lysol.." Previous guests complain about almost everything, from the dirty rooms and broken TV's to the cafeteria- style food and bad internet. Hopefully, Dan will spruce up this hotel like the Dan Boutique, which in its Ariel days did not get great reviews either. The hotel is the largest in the Dan chain, and it remains to be seen whether the management can handle a hotel almost double the size of its former largest, the Dan Eilat. Hmm... hate to sound so pessimistic, but this hotel is going to need a lot of work. Good Luck, Dan Jerusalem.

A Hotel and Gallery in Neve- Zedek, Tel Aviv

Gutman Assif Architects, a prominent architectural firm, have plans on their website for a new boutique hotel and gallery in Neve Zedek. There's just one catch. These plans are over ten years old. It seems that this fabulous concept hotel will forever remain a concept. There are plenty of pictures on http://ygaa.net/index.php?&id=690 Neve Tzedek was established in 1884, the first Jewish neighborhood established outside Old Jaffa which later became part of the city Tel Aviv. The architects of the hotel are also responsible for a new boutique hotel in Tribeca, New York City.