Background
The David Kempinski, which opened in April 2022, takes its name not from the Biblical David, but from David Taic – the father of Henry Taic, who owns the property through his Nahal Group along with 28-storey residential tower the David Promenade Residences next door (dpresidences.co.il).
Where is it?
On Hayarkon Street, a busy thoroughfare that runs parallel to the beach and is also home to the Sheraton and Hilton, with many embassies close by.
What’s it like?
Very tall (34-storeys), very modern, and with lots of glass and design elements. There’s a double-height reception and it makes the most of its location with sea views in all the public areas and rooms. Feigin Architects designed the building, with interiors by ARA Design featuring nods to the Bauhaus and International architectural styles found in Tel Aviv – expect to see lots of rectangles, squares and modern art pieces. What warms the place is the staff, who are quick to smile and ready to help – whether offering directions or giving advice on how to get to the train station on the Sabbath (answer: don’t go, the trains aren’t running).
Rooms
The hotel has 250 rooms (including 56 suites) on floors 5 to 29. The entry level size is 37 sqm, which includes the Superior, Deluxe, Deluxe Seafront and Deluxe Horizon Lounge rooms, with prices depending on floor and whether you get a full or partial sea view. These rooms have a circular table and chair by the window with plenty of charging points, including USB ports by the bed. Other amenities include Molton Brown toiletries, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, laptop safe and complimentary wifi.
Grand Deluxe rooms are 42 sqm and generally on a higher floor but have more of a city view (no rooms are only a city view – the bank of lifts takes up the back of the building). There are a total of 13 executive suites and 14 special suites (these include the four presidential suites, two royal suites and the three-storey David Penthouse on the 30th floor). The Horizon Lounge executive club is on the 22nd floor and has complimentary breakfast, all-day drinks, snacks, light lunch, evening buffet, and meeting rooms. The balcony has unrivalled views of the sunset over the Mediterranean (hence the name).
Food and drink
On the ground floor beyond reception is Sereia (mermaid in Portuguese) offering a superb buffet breakfast and all-day dining with a focus on fish. On the way there you’ll walk past the Sereia Lounge, featuring a bar counter, shorter menu and pastries. Also on this floor is The Common, a two-in-one bar concept that includes a Cohiba Atmosphere-branded cigar bar as well as Israel’s first House of Macallan whisky bar. On the top (34th) floor – though not yet open when I stayed in September – is Cloud 51, with its own pool and bar that is accessible to those in signature suites during the day, with general entrance in the evening and a nightclub feel.
Meetings
The hotel’s meeting facilities are on the underground floors with the boardrooms on -1 and the ballroom, which seats 300 for a banquet, on -2. Although the hotel is new, all of these rooms were occupied by a big technology conference during my stay.
Leisure
The Okoa spa (11 treatment rooms) and fitness centre are on floor -1 while a stunning pool with seafront views is on the fifth floor. The hotel would be worth the price for access to this alone.
Verdict
An outstanding new hotel on the beachfront, with excellent service and one of the best views from an executive lounge in the world.
FACT BOX
- Best for Five star luxury in an idyllic seafront location
- Don’t miss An evening drink in the Horizon Club at sunset
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February started from US$630 for a Superior room
- Contact 51 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo; tel: +972-3-776-8888; kempinski.com