Open for business

The Island Hotel is Netanya’s home for hardworking visitors... and more relaxed vacationers.

By SHANA KATZ
Island Hotel, Netanya 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Island Hotel, Netanya 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Business tourism isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Netanya shore; yet the owners of the Island Hotel were aiming for just that when they opened their new luxury suites hotel.
“The business here [in Netanya] is starting to wake up, and we see it is possible to put Netanya on the map of tourism,” says Island Hotel CEO Dan Lazar. “We are going for the business market and hi-tech groups,” he says, “but families and other types of tourists are also welcome.”
Opened in January, the Island Hotel brings extravagance and affordability to those visiting Israel for business purposes.
A one-bedroom suite costs only NIS 350 around this time of year.
The hotel is a step away from the beautiful beachfront.
All suites, whether one or two bedrooms, have a living room and kitchen. But what we loved most was the huge balcony where one can relax, capturing the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean.
Services at the hotel include a kosher breakfast, gym, pool, restaurants, spa and a dining hall for special occasions.
Internet wi-fi, though, is extra.
Other services include a sophisticated business lounge, where you might arrange your business meetings over a glass of wine and a laptop. Other facilities include an on-site synagogue, a large outdoor pool and children’s pool overlooking the beach. The hotel also offers bicycles free of charge so you can enjoy a ride on the promenade after a relaxing day.
The breakfast, as in many Israeli hotels, is geared to satisfy even the pickiest of palates. Guests are welcomed to mountains of salmon, cheeses, rolls, fresh fruit juices and ready-to-order coffee and cappuccino.
For those looking for some extra pampering, the spa is a necessity. Guests are free to enjoy the saunas at no additional charge. Those wanting a massage can close their eyes, snuggle in a cozy robe and slippers, and listen to the rainforest while sipping hot tea.
They will also do your shopping for you. Choose from an extensive shopping-list and return to a fully stocked fridge.
The writer was a guest of the Island Hotel.