Nope, I don't Sea One anymore

We agree, Sea One is a stupid name for a hotel. And, what would that even be in Hebrew? Yam Echad? Luckily, the naming team at Isrotel has come up with a different name. The luxury Tel Aviv hotel will be known as the Royal Beach Tel Aviv. Yes, the hotel will be a part of the Exclusive Collection, along with the other Royal Beach. Royal Beach Tel Aviv will have 23 floors, with 241 rooms and suites. The hotel is designed by the well know German designer Harald Klein, who has done several hotels in Germany, including the Sofitel Berlin's suites.

Interestingly, the hotel's rooms are divided into several groupings.
Three of the floors are designated for business levels. On the eighteenth floor will be the two story business lounge, boasting "showers, toilets (including handicap-toilet), TV room, 2 meeting rooms, bar, service area that includes newspapers, journals and office services, in addition to a quiet work area and dining areas." It's slightly curious as to why a hotel business lounge would include showers... Isn't that what a hotel room is for?

Two floors of the hotel are designated as the VIP levels, with a presidential suite and four additional suites on each level.
The Wellness Guestrooms, on two levels above and below the Spa, "allow such guests interested in the Spa services to stay by its facilities, and to walk around with their white Spa bathrobes, and use the Spa services without having to ‘mingle’ with other hotel guests." Seriously? We never knew mingling was so terrible.

As the only hotel being designed after the creation of Isrotel Exclusive Collection, we can't help but wonder- is this the design for all future hotels? Different, exclusive floors for different guests? Wonder where they'd put normal people like us...

West Tel Aviv

This new hotel, from the Tamares Group (Daniel hotels and Shizen Spa) was completely under the radar until today. The hotel is located on the so called "exclusive" Tzuk Beach in north Tel Aviv. All of the sixty- five rooms are one bedroom suites "of the highest quality", with two flat screen TV's, kitchenettes, private balconies, and warm wood tones. One of the nicest features of the hotel is the modern fitness hall, which looks very unlike the typical Israeli gym. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool and dairy restaurant, as well as complimentary bikes.
IsraelGuest is seeing a rise in the suite-hotel trend, with the Island Suites in Netanya, the Ramada in Netanya, Costa in Ashdod, and now the West. The West, however, seems like the only boutique hotel, with just 65 rooms. The rooms seem much more compact than those at the Ramada and the Island, though. The rest of the building (and the adjacent building) is probably apartments. Rates seem on the higher side, ranging from $300 to over $600 a night in high season.
With a location just outside Tel Aviv, and close but not in Herzliya Pituach, it's unclear which city the hotel competes with more. Either way, watch out Kfar Maccabiah!

Ramada Netanya

The Ramada Netanya is now open. It seems to have been open for a few weeks already, truly fulfilling the "Summer 2012" deadline. The hotel's architect renditions looked really beautiful. Unfortunately, the actual photos seem consistent with an average Israeli hotel (couldn't they at least make the beds before the photo shoot?). To truly appreciate the discrepancy, check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9PW6IUWjK0 and compare with the Ramada's website: ramadanetanya.com. A one bedroom suite is available next week for $228 - $332, midweek. There is a minimum stay of three nights required. Kudos to the Ramada for fair prices!
Credit also goes to Ramada hotels for featuring this hotel on their main website, (unlike Howard Johnson and Best Western... see below!). And here's a first: The hotel advertises "a full American breakfast", as opposed to Israeli- style breakfasts. There are no reviews yet, but we hope to check out the hotel ourselves soon.

Herods Jerusalem

Well, it seems like just yesterday that we were hoping for a Herods Jerusalem. And it seems like our prayers were answered. The 14 floor, 350 room Herods Jerusalem will be built right next to another Fattal hotel, the Leonardo Plaza Jerusalem. One of the focal points of the hotel will be the Vitalis Spa, which is expected to be one of the largest spas in Israel, located on the top 5 floors of the hotel. Also planned are a rooftop swimming pool and a large conference center. The hotel's construction is estimated to cost around $120 million.

Design of the "six star" hotel centers around a Jerusalem theme, "with the city's smells, with the city's clothing and with the city's atmosphere, but not so much a religious hotel." The city's smells? Forget exclusive perfumes that elegant hotels use to perfume their lobbies- Herods will be perfumed with sweat, urine, and Morrocan cooking odors!

Interestingly, Yoav Igra, who is the joint owner and architect of the Herods Eilat, noted that this will not be a religious hotel. This is likely as not to compete with the Leonardo, which is known for a highly religious crowd.

Also, it seems like the Herods chain are going for a city theme- Tel Aviv like Old Tel Aviv, Jerusalem like Jerusalem, Eilat like Eilat (more or less). This is a really cute idea, that will distinguish the brand from other luxury brands.

The only problem is the Igra will be the architect of the Jerusalem hotel as well. Hopefully, the municipality will prevent him from building a monstrosity like the Eilat hotel.

Herods Tel Aviv

The new Herods Tel Aviv, which recently opened in the former Sheraton Moriah Tel Aviv, is a good addition to the Tel Aviv hotel scene (not that it needs any additions right now). The meticulously designed hotel replicates Tel Aviv of the 1900's, complete with cobblestone "streets" and cafes, trees, doorman dressed like British guards, and a pool decorated like an old boat. Reviews on TripAdvisor seem quite good, calling the hotel "amazing" and praising the "very friendly service", shocking for Israel. Rates for this weekend are around $470 USD in a Deluxe Room, which is slightly high. The hotel is marketed as a business hotel. Perhaps Fattal is trying to create a new Herods chain, comprising of this hotel and the three in Eilat. We hope so!

Isrotel Beresheet Hotel

Well, the ultra lux Beresheet Hotel has been open for almost a month. Interestingly, we've seen no reviews on TripAdvisor and no advertising at all. We tried booking the hotel on the Isrotel Exclusive Collection site, but to no avail. We're getting the feeling that the hotel is only partially open. Hmm... The last time we visited the resort, over two months ago, the hotel looked nowhere near ready for opening.

Anyone know what's going on here?

On a side point, Isrotel Luxury Collection is now Isrotel Exclusive Collection- did someone from Starwood threaten a law suit, perhaps?

Ramada Hotel and Suites Netanya

Well, not long ago we were writing about the Island Suites. An IsraelGuest representative visited the hotel, and was impressed by the architecture, design, pool, views, and furnishings. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired, as did the food. The part that most intrigued our interest was his description of the construction next door. A beautiful building overlooking the beach, bearing a sign; "The Ramada Hotel and Suites Netanya". The Netanya Real Estate website proudly acclaims: "AT LAST ! A TRULY 5 STAR HOTEL IS ARRIVING IN NETANYA THIS YEAR !!! RAMADA HOTEL & SUITES IS COMING TO SOUTH BEACH !!"

"RAMADA HOTEL & SUITES NETANYA will be the first apartment hotel complex on the shores of Israel’s Mediterranean coast outside of Tel Aviv to be operated by an international brand name company.

We are thrilled to have brought this achievement to Netanya. This will be the first choice luxury hotel on the Mediterranean.It will appeal to five star guests, spa vacationers, business visits, and conventions.

The hotel boasts sea facing luxury suites, sun balconies, large stylish outdoor pool, fitness room, sauna and spa, reception area, synagogue, coffee shop, dairy restaurant, mini-store, six elevators, and much more."

Well. Sounds pretty nice, huh. Yet, we're scratching our heads about the Ramada.
A five star, luxury Ramada? The brand notorious for roadside hotels, the name that conjures up images of tatty carpeting and flowered bedspreads? Maybe it was a cheap brand name. Still, we would have gone for a Hilton. Or even a Hyatt. The Hyatt South Beach, Netanya. Much better than Ramada, don't you think? OK, we're being biased- a new hotel is a good hotel!