Background One of Isrotel’s boutique brands, Isrotel Design, Alberto is quintessentially Tel Aviv. Opened just last year, it is also one of the brand’s newest properties and, without a doubt, its coolest as well in Israel’s ‘city that never sleeps’.
Where is it? In the heart of the city, the hotel is within reach of popular points of interest including the stock exchange, the beloved Carmel Market, the upscale Neve Tzedek neighbourhood and the magnificent Great Synagogue – a must-see for architectural design fans. Everything is on the hotel’s doorstep from bars, restaurants and cafés, to the beach too which is only a ten-minute walk away. It is located on Nahalat Binyamin, which is home to the weekend art and crafts market. On Friday and Saturday, tables spill onto the pedestrianised street which gets closed for Shabbat.
What’s it like? Set in one of the city’s beautiful-renovated period properties, it is designed to recreate the sense of old meets new. Luxurious and chic, it has an Art Deco feel to it. With 98 rooms, it’s hard to feel the scale of the hotel which feels cosy, tucked between the small buildings of Nahalat Binyamin Street. With luxurious carpets, dark tones that add warmth to the property and elegant finishings, there has been much attention paid to details down to the paintings and even the beautifully tiled balconies with wrought iron railings.
Rooms I stayed in the double room with a balcony, with a view straight across the street to the Great Synagogue’s iconic dome. The space in the room was small for two people and it had little floor space – typical of older buildings – but the room had a surprisingly large bathroom with a massive shower and luxurious marbled finishing. One thing I loved was the toiletries in the shower were all in refillable dispensers, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.
Food and drink The hotel only offers breakfast, which is a typically Israeli affair. The most important meal of the day in Israeli culture, it is always a colourful display of cheeses, salads, fresh breads and pastries and, of course, eggs. On Saturday, a vast buffet offers a huge selection including cheesecake and smoked salmon, while during the week guests can have small tasters of the essentials (refillable) with à la carte options. The adorable hotel bar is also open all day until 9pm, a space reminiscent of the 1920s with a wide array of cocktails.
Meetings A small meeting room in the hotel (it can seat 12) makes for a convenient location to conduct business. Meetings held there can be catered for from the hotel bar.
Leisure Guests have plenty to choose from including the Asfari spa and gym, as well as the rooftop pool and bar in the summer months. The spa has a wide range of treatments conducted across three rooms. The nearby beach is great for outdoor walks and runs. It comes alive with people running, walking and cycling every day from the early hours, and for those of us who run, is a must to feel the atmosphere as well as take in the views from the coast.
Verdict I was extremely surprised by how much I loved this place. The location is fantastic and it has a huge amount to offer as far as the boutique concept goes. Isrotel really has done the homegrown brand proud. For people sensitive to noise, it may be busy due to its location, but I found the sound insulation in the room very good. Melanie Swan
Best for: Convenience – everything is on the doorstep making getting around very easy.
Don’t miss: A walk down to Carmel Market, the city’s vibrant food market where fresh produce and cuisines from all over the world are available
Price: Internet rates in February start from US$184 for a Double Room with a balcony.
Contact: 46 Nahalat Binyamin Street, Tel Aviv; +972 3 717 1515; isrotel.com
