Herods Tel Aviv

In contrast to the hotel’s nondescript high-rise appearance on the outside, the interior is modern, artsy, and full of natural light. Light jazz music, brightly colored modern couches, wooden sculptures, and glass vases help usher in a cosmopolitan vibe. The hotel’s tagline, “Tel Aviv the way it used to be,” is brought to life through the assortment of vintage black-and-white photographs of Tel Aviv in the ‘30s and ‘40s, stories of the city’s most influential residents on the backs of the cafe’s sugar packets, and antique curios throughout. Herods Tel Aviv also takes advantage of its beachfront location with lots of sea-view windows. Herods Tel Aviv opened in 2012, though its building had a previous life as a Sheraton. All eyes were on the hotel during its major renovation by the Fattal chain, and a five-part TV series covered it all. This has given the hotel celebrity in its own right, and the hotel is frequently used as a location in various TV shows and movies. Overall, however, the hotel doesn't live up to its advertised five-star rating with average bathrooms and features, and some wear and tear.

Herods Tel Avivl is located directly in front of Gordon Beach, Tel Aviv Marina, and Gordon Pool. It's roughly one block from the restaurants, shops, and bars off the edge of central Ben Yehuda Street. Once bustling, the immediate area has become a bit neglected and now largely sports abandoned storefronts. It's most convenient for folks who want to frequent the beach or take a quick stroll, but it's otherwise driving distance from most of Tel Aviv's main attractions. - Four-minute walk to Ben Yehuda Street

• Seven-minute walk to Dizengoff Street
• Eight-minute drive to Tel Aviv Port
• Eight-minute drive or 20-minute walk to Rabin Square
• 12-minute drive to Carmel Market
• 13-minute drive to Old Jaffa 
• 12-minute drive to Rothschild Boulevard
• 13-minute drive to Sarona Market
• 29-minute drive to Ben Gurion Airport

Herod Tel Aviv’s 324 rooms are all same size (except suites), and clock-in as spacious and slightly larger than the average hotel room. Winning details here include the SMART flat-screen TVs, framed black-and-white photos of Tel Aviv in the 1930s, and period chairs, however, some wear and bland furnishings are less impressive. Deluxe Rooms are contemporary and subtly stylish, but feel basic due to their bland beige color scheme and simple, particleboard furniture. These rooms are located on the first five floors and have tiled bathrooms with shower/tub combos, old-school tube hairdryers, and small cushioned seating areas. Club Rooms feel slightly more refined thanks to subdued, vintage-inspired decor, and black-and-white photo tiles in the showers. Replacing brown color palettes with blue and green help give these spaces a fresher, subtle maritime feel. These rooms also come with extra perks like access to the 17th-floor business lounge, slippers, and pod coffeemakers. The connecting Complex Family Rooms are good picks for families with older children or friends, while all suites have separate living and bedroom areas. Some suites have dining rooms, double balconies, bidets, L’Occitane products, and jetted tubs. The Dizengoff Suite’s full kitchen (with personal chef available), leather tufted couches, wooden dining table for eight, personal wine cabinet, and outstanding bathrooms with checkered floors, personal sauna, and clawfoot tub make it easy to see why it’s a favorite with supermodel Naomi Campbell. All rooms and suites have balconies with views and fake grass, kettles and coffeemakers, terrycloth robes, and vanities with magnifying mirrors. Toiletries are hotel-branded, but decent quality. 

Like all Herods hotels, this property is certified kosher and no outside food may be brought inside. The well-reviewed Hadarim Restaurant is large, sports an open kitchen, and has great beach views. Fake orange trees, faux-mosaic tiling, vine trellises, and sky scenes painted on the ceiling work to give the illusion of dining outside. Plus, there is actual outdoor seating on the terrace facing the marina. An extensive buffet with dairy options is served at breakfast (fee), followed by an a la carte lunch, and meat-filled dinner buffet.A mix of contemporary and funky modern furniture decorate the chic, open lobby bar where guests can grab a bite to eat, order espresso drinks, or choose a bottle from the wine cabinet. Benched booth seating is available and there is additional lounge space in a raised area off the back of the lobby. Here, guests are surrounded by three windows with views of the pool, beach, and marina. The hotel’s pool is open from April through the end of October and gives guests direct beach access. It’s deep, and there is no kids’ pool, so parents should exercise caution. Expect brown plastic loungers and a small bar serving drinks. Business features include five different meeting rooms with catering available, plus the 17th-floor business lounge. This lounge is exclusive for VIPs and club-level guests, offering extra perks like an all-day snack buffet, small liquor bar, and computer services. Family-friendly amenities include free baby kits stocked with food, bottle warmers, cribs, and washbasins, and extra cots are available. Limited parking and WI-Fi are free. A shop in the lobby sells fashion accessories.