Besamim Hotel

It's occurred to us recently just how much IsraelGuest depends on research and discovery. Unlike many similar blogs that benefit from insider tips and loyal readers who drop hints and relevant information, we're a pretty slim team. On the plus side, this means that we have much more opportunity for exciting surprises. Like today's discovery of the Besamim Hotel alongside Nahal Poleg in Netanya. Designed by Ran & Morris, a prominent Israeli interior design firm, the hotel claims to be the first of its kind in Israel. Oy. We've heard that one before. This time, we think the claim is that the hotel is adjacent to a nature reserve and only 200 meters from the sea. Or maybe it's the luxurious suites located in small, two-story structures set amidst gardens and private pools and with striking sea views. We are really digging the designs for the special suites, which are spread across two levels and feature a living room, dining area, veranda, and bedroom on one level with a second bedroom and bath located upstairs. The standard rooms "suites" look nice too, with a small living area just past the bed and leading out to the balcony. Another first? Both types of suites feature special netilat yadayim sinks in the guestroom, ritual sinks for hand-washing. Is this a new trend in hotel design? The latest must-have feature? If so, better let the W know- and quick. They're not going to want to be behind the trends. Renderings show a major emphasis on nature, including rough stone walls in the bathroom, wood shiplap on the exterior, and breezy open air passageways. The three sea-facing swimming pools look pretty nice, too. The only thing we're missing is an opening date. All we've got is: under construction. But that's okay. For the first of its kind in Israel, we can wait. 

W Jaffa

Well, just last month we were excitedly discussing what's in store in the coming year for Israeli hotels. And, we're pleased to annouce that one of our most highly-anticipated projects. the W Jaffa, has an official opening date. And it's quite, quite soon. Like May 2017 (*exhales*)! The website offers no other interesting information, sporting only stock photos and some inspirational quotes, like "Past, present and future collide in the modern venues and accommodations of our vibrant building that once housed a convent and a hospital". Now who wouldn't want to check in? With interiors designed by minimalist master John Pawson, the W features 126 guestrooms set in a collection of 19th century historic buildings alongside a modern glass structure, home to 38 exclusive residences. Especially worth noting is the stunning outdoor pool located in the courtyard and flanked by the historic building, along with the former chapel with stained glass windows that will be turned into a bar and lounge. Moreover, the dining room will have an original vaulted ceiling, and the hotel also offers a full spa complex, fitness center, events hall, and an already-hot beach club with a private shuttle from the hotel. Seeing as the W is branding itself as the first full-service. high-style hotel in the city, we have no doubt that this will be the place to stay in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. We can't help but anticipate sky high rates, though.

New Year Forecast

Here we sit excitedly on the cusp of the new year. 2016 has been a successful year for new hotels in Israel, and we're confident that 2017 will be even better. We've got high-profile openings in store like the Isrotel Orient Jerusalem and the W Tel Aviv, along with the Publica Herzliya, the Setai Tel Aviv and maybe even the Setai on the Kinneret, too. Perhaps some of those developments in Bat Yam will come to fruition, too. Oh, and the Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem may finally transition into a Herods. What won't be happening: the Four Seasons Jerusalem, the Kempinski Tel Aviv, the W Jerusalem, or the AC Marriott Herzliya. But that's even more to look forward too. We're sure that there will be more announcements from Atlas Hotels (Betzalel Hotel Jerusalem may have just snuck in before the end of the year- and boy, we're ready to check in. Look at those rooms with the sun decks!). And Leon Avigad from Brown Hotels definitely has more up his sleeve, too. We'd love to see some more international chains breaking ground in Israel, especially with the Starwood- Marriott marriage. We'd love to see some new hotels pop up outside of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, too. Especially now, Haifa could use a boost in tourism, and some new hotel projects could bring some much needed excitement to the area. And while we're at it, let's look south. For all that it is one of the fastest-growing cities in Israel, with the fastest-growing university in the country and a vibrant start-up scene, Beersheba still has one hotel. And no, it's not a nice hotel. So Israeli hoteliers- this year, let's look outside of the box. Or not. As we like to say, any new hotel is a good hotel. Happy New Year!

Progress on the Isrotel Orient Jerusalem and Brown Jerusalem

In a recently updated article from earlier this month on itraveljerusalem.com, writer Spencer Ho revealed that Brown Jerusalem will be opening in January. This Brown, sister to Brown TLV, Brown Beach House Tel Aviv, Brown Croatia (yeah, didn't know about that one either), and the new Poli House Tel Aviv, is located in a restored and rebuilt structure on Hanev'iim Street, on the ed/ge of the Russian Compound and near the ultra-religious Mea Shearim neighborhood. Sounds trendy, right? Nonetheless, judging by the success of the other properties, this will be a hang out for young Jerusalemites. We took a walk by the hotel last week, and it's definitely coming along nicely. Although January does seem a touch optimistic.

In other news, the Isrotel Orient Jerusalem (can't believe this is the name that won! http://timeout.co.il/en/hotels-and-accommodations/isrotel-name) will most certainly not be opening in January, although it's a busy site and slated to open in June. To remind you, this massive 240-room project will also feature eleven residences spread across two freestanding structures, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a Carmel Forest Spa with a sauna, hamam, and Jacuzzi, a fitness center, lobby cafe, and main dining room. Additionally, a conference center will be able to host up to 900 people for functions. Rooms and suites on offer come in a whopping ten varieties, ranging from very spacious garden rooms to presidential suites and colony rooms in two restored buildings, which we suspect were originally earmarked for luxury residences (Read: "overpriced"). They're nicely decorated, with warm colors, bathrooms with windows to the guestrooms, and Jerusalem stone elements, although the colony rooms are quite eclectic, with painted tiled floors, copper tubs, and four poster beds. Suites get a complimentary soft drinks minibar, which is a first for Israel as far as we know. A special opening offer gives 20% off room rates in June, although $364 for the cheapest room seems optimistic for a brand new hotel.

Lastly, the same article announced that the Four Seasons Jerusalem has received permits and is ready to begin construction. We'll believe it when we see it.

MGallery Netanya and other news

Well, then. Another month has gone by, and it's been an interesting one. For one, we discovered the David Tower Hotel Netanya MGallery By Sofitel (yes, and we thought that the Elma Arts Luxury Complex Hotel was a bad name). This luxury hotel opened at the end of May and occupies six stories in the modernist David Tower. The hotel offers a spa with an indoor pool and Turkish hammam, a full service restaurant, and 75 guestrooms and suites outfitted with Nespresso machines and HDTVs. The hotel's decorators worked hard to create gorgeous interiors, including the warm, high ceiling-ed lobby with tall bookshelves, brass chandeliers, and elegant furnishings. In fitting with the MGallery brand, design is urban-heavy and perhaps less suited for a sleepy beach suburb, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Guestrooms are light and airy, with beige and crisp white bedding and highlights of pink and blush, but are a tad lacking in character to us. But surely, with walk out balconies and sea views, you won't be spending much time inside. We found rates $224 a night, which seems a bit high for the area.

In other news, a quick walk around Tel Aviv last month took us over to the Poli House Hotel, which seems to have finally opened this month. Our sneak peak inside revealed an interior that closely modeled the renderings, so we can't wait to see how the psychedelic wallpaper came out. It does seem a lot smaller than we thought, so expect really tiny rooms. That gorgeous rooftop pool does make up for it, though. Lastly, after a brief tour of The Norman, we spied a new hotel opening across the street. Atlas's Hotel 65, right on the corner of Rothschild Boulevard, is housed in a round, glassy tower that is sure to become a new landmark. A street level restaurant is sure to bring the crowds in too. Inside, the hotel is trying very hard to be cool, with vintage 70's style furniture pieces in vibrant colors paired together in the hip 8th floor lounge. Guestrooms feature lots of light from the floor to ceiling glass walls, which is a nice touch. While all the retro details are trendy, the hotel seems like it needs a bit of a personality. Of course, all that can be overlooked if the rates are tempting. We found prices starting at $200. We'll keep looking. Gosh, we're so picky!

NYX Tel Aviv

A quick trip to Tel Aviv last week introduced us to a new hotel, the NYX Tel Aviv. Open for about three months, this former Leonardo has been entirely renovated and rebranded, although it is still part of Fattal Hotels. Naturally, we stopped in for a tour of the facilities. At the lobby level, the hotel presents the non-kosher Clash Restaurant, which "serves delectable haute cuisine and an exclusive Israeli breakfast". The hotel abounds in places to relax and hang out, including the small but stylishly decorated lobby, the NYX lounge on the gallery level, and a rooftop deck (which also acts as a bar, cinema, and music venue). During the evenings, the hotel's lobby level features a resident DJ with loud music throughout the night. Also offered are a tiny fitness center and a massage room. And here's a first: twice a week, a tattoo artist visits the hotel to offer their services to guests. Another unique feature: each level is equipped with fun retro arcade machines and vending machines with everything "from snacks, drinks, condoms, tampons, gadgets, and much more". They said it, not us. The 190 guestrooms are small but comfortable, with crisp white bedding, black and gray accents, and somewhat psychedelic wallpaper (a theme that continues in the utterly disorienting and claustrophobic hallways). With rates around $180 without breakfast, the hotel is clearly marketing for young millennials looking for a fun party atmosphere without being too expensive. To us, it feels like a "trying too hard to be cool" Israeli attempt at the popular W Hotels chain and other hip boutiques around the world. We'd nix the NYX. Or maybe we're just not cool enough to appreciate it. 

Galilion Resort Yesod Hamaala

We've been to Yesod Hama'ala in northern Israel a few times over the years. Once, we even spent the night there at the town's only option, the super no-frills Savyonei Hagalil Hotel, which was originally built as the only Israeli outpost of ultra-budget Accor hotel chain Etap. But Etap has long since left the country, and in all honestly, the Savyonei Hagalil leaves little desire to return to the area. However, a Jerusalem Post article from a few weeks ago alerted us to the recent opening of another hotel in the area, the Galilion Hotel. Because the Post's review was so overwhelmingly (and perhaps predictably) positive, we thought we'd do some looking into this hotel for the benefit of our readers. Here are our thoughts: We're loving the idea of a village-style grouping of different buildings, rather than a single monumental structure. Here, the 120 rooms and suites are grouped into small two-story buildings, and there's a separate convention center, spa, and lobby, along with an adjacent shopping center and farmer's market. The inspiration was clearly an Italian village, and designers took that inspiration very literally in the guestrooms, with wallpaper depicting none other than a quaint Tuscany-esque village. It's certainty a bold move, although we must say that it's not really our taste, especially alongside rather standard light wood furnishings and a red bedspread that clashes with the wallpaper. The hotel's secondary theme is birds, likely referencing the nearby Hula Lake through which pass over 500 million migrating birds annually. You'll find bird accent tiles in the otherwise drab bathrooms, bird images in the guestrooms, and decorative birds throughout the property. In our minds, the hotel really shines on the exterior, with landscaped, manicured lawns and gardens, a gorgeous (and really large) outdoor pool, and fountains dotted throughout. Another nice touch is the outdoor screening of movies by the pool. We're not surprised that reviewers on TripAdvisor have found the service to be lacking, with rude and unhelpful staff members at times. To us, this is still very much an Israeli kibbutz hotel, even if it's newer and better looking than most. We'd love to see a bigger chain come over and whip this property into shape. Until then, we found rates for $240 a night, including breakfast, for next month.