Tel Aviv is renowned for its vibrant culture, beaches, and nightlife. But beyond the bustling city’s famous sites, Tel Aviv offers a collection of intimate boutique hotels that provide a peaceful oasis amidst the action. Tel Aviv’s boutique hotels combine modern luxuries with historic architecture, high-end amenities, and personalized service.
These small, design-focused hotels allow travelers to experience Tel Aviv like a local. From historic buildings restored with contemporary styling, to beachfront boutique hotels with rooftop bars, Tel Aviv has a boutique hotel to fit every style and budget.
This article will highlight some of the top boutique hotels in Tel Aviv for design aficionados, luxury travelers, budget-conscious guests, and everyone in between. We’ll share which hotels offer the right amenities, ambiance, locations and local flavour to make the most of your holiday in Tel Aviv.
The Saul Hotel – A Luxurious Boutique Gem
The Saul Hotel, Boutique Hotel in Tel Aviv is widely considered one of Tel Aviv’s top boutique hotels, offering luxurious accommodations and exquisite service in an intimate setting. This boutique property has just 45 rooms, allowing staff to provide personalized attention to each guest.
Guest rooms at The Saul are fitted with high-end amenities like rainfall showers, Nespresso machines, and premium linens. The chic decor combines clean lines, minimalist styling, and neutral tones to create a contemporary yet comfortable atmosphere. Most rooms also feature private balconies overlooking the energetic city and shimmering Mediterranean Sea.
Guests can enjoy creative Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, which offers panoramic coastal views. The Saul also has an upscale street-level bar and lounge that serves hand-crafted cocktails and light fare in a sleek, dimly lit space.
The Saul is situated in the heart of Tel Aviv’s bustling city center, surrounded by attractions. It’s just a 10-minute walk to Neve Tzedek’s boutiques and cafes. The renowned Carmel Market and levinsky Market spice shops are also nearby. And the beach is only a 15-minute stroll away.
With luxurious amenities, sublime service, and a central location, The Saul provides an idyllic base for experiencing Tel Aviv’s culture, cuisine and coastal beauty while relaxing in contemporary comfort. This intimate boutique hotel excels at catering to discerning travelers seeking a high-end urban oasis.
The Norman Tel Aviv – Vintage Chic Boutique
The Norman Tel Aviv stands out among Tel Aviv boutique hotels for its preserved 1920s Bauhaus-style architecture and sophisticated vintage decor. Located in the heart of the White City historic district, The Norman is situated inside two beautifully restored and connected buildings from the 1920s and 1930s.
The mood is retro-chic at The Norman, with rooms featuring restored original tilework and hardwood floors coupled with plush linens and Art Deco-inspired furniture. Rooms come appointed with minibars, Nespresso machines, ultra-modern bathrooms and scenic views of the surrounding White City neighborhood.
For dining, The Norman offers a bright breakfast spread in the solarium-like atrium. In the evenings, the charming restaurant-bar serves Mediterranean cuisine in vintage Tel Aviv ambiance, with dark wood decor and black and white photos paying homage to Tel Aviv of the 1920s.
Beyond the rooms, guests can relax in the intimate courtyard filled with greenery, unwind with a massage in the 1930s-style spa, or sip cocktails on the rooftop terrace. The multilingual staff provides attentive service.
Situated on quiet Nachmani Street, The Norman is steps from the lively Rothschild Boulevard, home to cafes, restaurants and cultural attractions yet provides a peaceful escape in the heart of the city. Guests feel transported back to 1920s Tel Aviv, with modern comforts, at this exquisite boutique gem.
The Drisco – Historic Elegance by the Sea
History meets contemporary luxury at The Drisco, a stately boutique hotel housed in a heritage building originally built in 1866. This historic gem provides a tranquil, upscale stay across from the Mediterranean Sea.
The Drisco is found on a quiet residential street in the American-German colony neighborhood of Tel Aviv. Its façade of arches and pillars has been elegantly restored, retaining the property’s old-world charm. Inside, stylish modern decor creates a luxurious atmosphere for guests.
Each of the 42 rooms includes hand-crafted furnishings, marble bathrooms with indulgent soaking tubs, and original artwork. Some suites offer sea views from private balconies. Guests can enjoy breakfast or evening cocktails on The Drisco’s breezy terrace overlooking the waterfront promenade and sea.
Amenities include a Mediterranean restaurant in a sunlit atrium, a spa with hammam and hot tub, and fitness facilities. Guests appreciate The Drisco’s afternoon tea service and seasonal rooftop bar.
This refined boutique hotel charms guests with its historic bones and contemporary style. Travelers feel worlds away yet are just steps from Tel Aviv’s beaches, cafes, and attractions. The Drisco offers an escape into seaside elegance and old-world ambiance.
The Jaffa – Luxury in a Former Convent
For a truly unique luxury stay in Tel Aviv, visitors should consider The Jaffa hotel. This high-end boutique hotel is situated in a restored 19th century convent, providing a peaceful oasis next to the bustling Jaffa Flea Market.
The Jaffa seamlessly blends contemporary amenities with historic architecture. The soaring ceilings, arched windows, and stone walls of the original convent building now house the lobby and ornate lounge spaces. Guest rooms combine modern luxuries like rainfall showers and Nespresso machines with preserved stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and Roman-style copper bathtubs.
Dining options at The Jaffa showcase locally-sourced Israeli cuisine with Mediterranean influences. The hotel offers a poolside bar, spa cafe, and upscale restaurant in a vaulted stone hall. Guests can dine al fresco in the courtyard or on the rooftop terrace with panoramic Old Jaffa views.
Surrounded by art galleries, bazaar shopping, and ancient sites like the Jaffa Clocktower, The Jaffa provides easy access to Jaffa’s historic port area. Tel Aviv’s beaches are just a 10-minute walk away.
With sublime service, elegant design, historic ambiance, and proximity to attractions, The Jaffa indulges guests in luxury while soaking up Jaffa’s storied past and lively present.
In summary
Tel Aviv spoils travelers with its collection of intimate boutique hotels that blend luxury, history, and local flavor. From The Saul’s contemporary comforts in the city center to The Norman’s vintage glamour, the unique boutique hotels allow guests to live like locals in different Tel Aviv neighborhoods. For historic ambiance, The Drisco and The Jaffa immerse guests in elegant restored buildings with modern amenities.
Each boutique hotel offers a special perspective on Tel Aviv, whether it’s rooftop coastal views, a cultural district location, or historic architecture. Foodies also appreciate the Michelin-level dining at many boutique properties. By staying at one of Tel Aviv’s distinctive boutique hotels, travelers can experience the city’s vibrant culture in an intimate setting while being treated to the very best of service, style, and cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a hotel “boutique”?
Boutique hotels are small, intimate properties that offer personalized service and stylish, high-end accommodations. They typically have less than 100 rooms and have design-focused decor.
Q: What are the room rates like at Tel Aviv boutique hotels?
Room rates can vary greatly depending on the hotel, but expect to pay $250-500 per night for a double room at a high-end boutique property. More affordable boutique options are also available for $150-250 per night.
Q: Which boutique hotels are closest to the beach?
Some good boutique options near the beach include The Norman Tel Aviv, Brown Beach House, Hotel Montefiore, and The Drisco. Most are within a 5-15 minute walk from the beachfront.
Q: Which hotels are in the historic White City area?
The Norman Tel Aviv and Hotel Cinema are two boutique hotels located right in the UNESCO-recognized White City area known for Bauhaus architecture.
Q: Do all boutique hotels have their own restaurants?
Many of Tel Aviv’s boutique hotels have gourmet restaurants on-site, like The Jaffa, The Drisco, and The Norman. But some smaller boutiques may only offer breakfast.
Q: What amenities can I expect at Tel Aviv boutique hotels?
You’ll often find amenities like fitness centers, spas, rooftop lounges, cocktail bars, pools, and bike rentals at Tel Aviv’s high-end boutique hotels.
Q: When are the best times to visit and stay at boutique hotels?
Spring and early summer offer pleasant weather without the crowds you’ll find in peak summer. But boutique hotels are a terrific option year-round.
