For our last four days in Israel we decided to stay at the Sheraton Tel Aviv. This is the only Starwood or Hyatt property in Tel Aviv, and since we needed two rooms, I was happy about getting eight elite qualifying nights for the stay (since with Starwood you can earn elite qualifying nights for…
Continue reading: Review: Sheraton Tel Aviv
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Go for the IC David next time. Definitely more luxurious, 2 club lounges, and fantastic breakfast. In my experience, they also treat Ambassadors nicely. I was offered a triple upgrade from standard room to refurbished Executive Room, and this on an Ambassador Free Weekend Certificate rate.
As a minimalist, I find the decor much more soothing than most luxury hotels. I would find that suite nice, although the angle of the bed might drive me insane.
You got the older rooms. When I stayed there my room was very modern and beautiful.
Also, I am surprised by your description of the breakfast at Kum Kum. To me it was impressive and much better that the one in the lounge. The chef would come to us and made us special plates for us to taste, besides the multiple cheeses and dairy dishes in general, fish, and everything you could ask from a breakfast. It was more like a very complete brunch.
Shalom
“Still, as of now it’s the only Starwood or Hyatt hotel in Israel, so for me it was the natural option.” It amazes me that US bloggers NEED to stay at SPG or Hyatt everywhere even if they are not the best option.
@Lucky, did you book both rooms with your citi prestige card or do your parents have cards too? I thought it’s one 4th night free benefit per account.
I've stayed there and it's run-down and reminds me of a Courtyard/Four Points especially with the tacky furniture.
The restaurant staff need to learn how to handle food with the use of gloves. I witnessed two employees picking up food with their bare hands.
The only plus at this property is the evening spread in the lounge.
As @Manny said, the Elma is gorgeous and a lot newer. It's not in Tel Aviv, but it's a fantastic hotel with a great breakfast buffet. It's secluded and a great place for relaxing.
Ben, were you staying at the Sheraton over Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday)? Do you remember how the buffet in the lounge differed, if at all, on Shabbat? Thanks.
Israel (TLV and JLM in particular) are going through a boutique hotel frenzy (and an AirBnb one) at the moment, exactly for the reason you described with the Sheraton (high prices, old rooms).
have a quick look at any one of the following to see great boutique (in most cases) hotel options in both cities:
The Norman
hotel Montefiori
Brown Beach House
Villa Brown
Orient
Gordonia
Mt. Zion
Notre Dam
Regarding your choice of WA in JLM, In that genre I would go for Mamila Hotel, David citadel , King David, or The American Colony before that one (with all due respect to the fact that it's still one of the nicest hotels in Israel at the moment).
Miles and Points are not everything , in many cases they are the ramp onto the Beaten track.
you seem to have gotten an older more outdated room, I stayed there in the summer and was given a standard club level room, it's balcony faced south. it was much nicer and more modern than your pictures although still on the plain and simple side.
One thing annoying about the club is that they strictly enforce the no children rule, I was there with my wife and 6 month old, for heaven's sake, why can't we wheel in her stroller? we had to take turns visiting the lounge separately!
Appreciate the posting and the comments as it is very timely. I'm planning a last minute Jordan and Israel trip for early next year so am still looking for hotels. Given the hotel market in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I'm strongly considering AirBnbs..
Lucky, same question as Zach G: did you get just one room with the 4th night free or you used your parents' card to get the 2nd room 4th nite free?
Another question, as the platinum benefits would only be extended to the guests in your room. Did pay or just didn't ask for the club benefit for the 2nd room?
Try any one of the Brown Hotels or the Norman. If you prefer an international brand I would opt for Hilton or David Intercontinental
Sorry Lucky, the security "theatre" you mention actually helps save lives. After 26/11, the Taj Mahal Palace security has been good to the extent that they have been the only hotel to catch the cops who are role playing as bad guys in unannounced tests.
Yuck to staying at chain hotels in Israel. Last thing I want to do is sit in a club lounge in a Sheraton when visiting Tel Aviv and those rooms look pitiful and bland. People need to be careful reading this blog and know it’s a points and miles blog . If you would have stayed at The Rothschild or one of the other non chain hotels your entire experience would have been different.
("It amazes me that US bloggers NEED to stay at SPG or Hyatt everywhere even if they are not the best option.") -- Totally understand what you meant! But...
These type of bloggers primarily use miles and/or points to fund their travels. Hence, they wont chose something more local/cheaper/expensive/better/ etc., unless, they can pay for it with point/miles...
OK, sometimes they do pay cash, but this is rather rare and not the point of either their blogs and travels
🙂