Israel reported a record 4.4 million visitor arrivals for last year, an increase of 13.6%, according to the country's Central Bureau of Statistics. And those visitors helped fuel a 3.9% increase in hotel occupancy, according to the bureau.
Poised to accommodate these visitors are several properties, ranging from budget to boutique, that recently opened or are opening this year, with much of the development in bustling Tel Aviv.
Brown expands portfolio
A rendering of a guestroom at the Theodore, a Brown Hotels property scheduled to open in the summer.
For Tel Aviv-based Brown Hotels, 2019 will see the opening of several Israel properties, including three in the so-called White City:
• The 33-room Dave Levinsky, slated to open in downtown in the summer, "will offer chic, low-cost, boutique accommodations right at the heart of Tel Aviv's newest culinary and nightlife hubs," according to Brown.
• The 34-room Theodore is scheduled to open in the summer and will feature a private garden and a restaurant, with its "modern takeoff on Bauhaus architecture" providing "an upscale and sophisticated background," according to Brown.
• Finally, Brown's largest property, the 200-room Menorah, is scheduled to open in the spring.
Meanwhille, Brown's 100-room Lighthouse hotel, which opened last fall, is scheduled to expand to 160 rooms by spring.
Selina plans summer debut
The Selina Neve Tzedek is coming to Tel Aviv’s Nehoshtan complex. Its 30 rooms will feature Selina’s mix of affordable, hostel-like accommodations with more upscale suites.
While Brown expands its Tel Aviv portfolio, another brand is looking to make its debut in the city this summer.
Selina, founded in Panama in 2015, targets the "digital nomad, family on vacation, adventurous backpacker or surfer looking for paradise," according to its website, and the company is planning to bring its approach to hospitality to Tel Aviv's Nehoshtan complex.
The 30-room Selina Neve Tzedek will feature communal work spaces, a restaurant and bar and an art and culture center across its three historical buildings, covering a total area of over 16,000 square feet.
As with other properties in the Selina portfolio, rooms at the Tel Aviv property will range from hostel-style shared accommodations "that can be enjoyed for tens of dollars per night" to "chic and spacious rooms at a cost of hundreds of dollars a night," according to Selina. A 540-square-foot private suite will boast views of the Mediterranean.
"Selina understands that the new nomad is looking for a trusted, worldwide platform where they can enjoy a range of travel and leisure experiences while still tackling their responsibilities," said Yossi Mautner, CEO of Selina Israel. "At Selina Neve Tzedek, guests can work comfortably, meet new people [and] experience the local culture … all under the same roof."
Historical luxe at the Drisco
The Drisco Hotel is in a building that dates to 1866 and used to operate as the Jerusalem Hotel. The property sat abandoned for decades before a renovation that started in 2006.
At the other end of the price spectrum, the Drisco Hotel, part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, opened to guests in June in Tel Aviv's American Colony neighborhood.
The 42-room property occupies a building that dates to 1866. Operating as the Jerusalem Hotel, the property played host to guests such as Thomas Cook and Mark Twain. After laying abandoned for decades, the building was restored starting in 2006.
The Drisco's design evokes "a contemporary interpretation of the original Ottoman oriental design," according to a statement, and mixes "innovative decor elements, restored historic murals and 21st-century conveniences."
Rooms include Carrara marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, and most rooms and suites are available with connecting and adjacent units for families or groups.
At the upper end of the Drisco's accommodation categories, the Villa Drisco comprises five rooms, while the Norton Suite features a private terrace overlooking the hotel's piazza and garden.
On-site restaurant George & John "serves dishes inspired by modern Israel, paired with broader Mediterranean influences."