Calm and colorful

Calm and colorful The new Cucu boutique hotel is a chic oasis in the heart of Tel Aviv.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Cucu hotel. (photo credit: Courtesy)
Cucu hotel.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The first thing that becomes apparent upon entering Cucu is the calm, pleasant atmosphere of this charming boutique hotel. The new 33-room hotel quickly allows guests to forget that they are in the heart of bustling Tel Aviv as they encounter colorful interior patterns (created by designer Omer Leichter) inspired by surrealist, modern and urban art.
A cozy lobby reminiscent of a living room greets the guests, complete with sofas and a state-of-the-art coffee machine, enticing guests to sit down and take in the relaxed feel before proceeding to their rooms.
The lobby is filled with eye-catching artwork on the walls, and an unusual statue on the way to the elevators depicts a dog eating from a bowl of colorful candy.
The temptation to remain downstairs is augmented by the corridor that enables guests to pop into the next-door Castel cafe-restaurant, which offers hotel breakfast (hotel breakfast is also available at the Bread Story restaurant across the street).
The Castel is a true Tel Aviv neighborhood cafe, combining a casual spirit with an attractive interior and exterior design.
Around the back of the hotel, there is a beautifully designed garden with tables and chairs.
The friendly staff at the reception desk add to the hospitable atmosphere. After checking in and entering one’s room, the pleasant experience continues. The rooms have playful but not over-the-top colorful wall patterns and screen entertainment systems. The rooms are not large but do not feel claustrophobic, either.
The real treat might be the balcony.
Although the rooms are soundproof, those who go out on the balcony and break down the barrier to noisy Dizengoff Street below encounter a pleasant sitting area, decorated with colorful ceramic balloons created by artist Sivan Sternbach.
The youthful Cucu Hotel was the brainchild of hotel partners Guy Bartal, Oren Paskal and Ben Braverman, who have succeeded in creating something unique. It is a real getaway from the stresses of daily life in the beating heart of Tel Aviv in a hotel that combines alternative design with high levels of service.
The many eateries, cafes and nightlife attractions of central Tel Aviv are very close. They beckon guests, even ones who are local residents, to experience the area as tourists. These include La Shuk restaurant (92 Dizengoff Street), which is an ideal choice for a tasty dinner. The Dizengoff shopping center and the movie theater are a stone’s throw from the hotel as are the street’s large variety of stores.
After guests are done with their outdoor activities, they can return to the escapist treat that is the Cucu Hotel. 
The writer was a guest of the hotel.
Cucu Hotel
83 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv