The luxury hotel that convinced me: In Tel Aviv, you need to visit like a tourist

Tel Aviv is a city of contrasts. On one hand, the bustling markets and crowded streets; on the other, the calm sea and the endless promenade. It has the old houses of Neve Tzedek alongside modern office towers; small cafes next to upscale restaurants. And most importantly – it has that energy that cannot be explained, something that makes you feel alive even if you are just walking down the street.

Tel Aviv has received many prestigious titles over the years – the city that never sleeps, Israel's cultural capital, and more. And it’s true, but there’s something that only reveals itself when you give the city more than a few hours between meetings. When we allow ourselves to truly experience it. And sometimes, for that, you need to pause the race and routine and explore it like a tourist.

And that’s exactly what I did. I took a break from the routine for 24 hours and discovered a different Tel Aviv, one I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I arrived at the InterContinental David Hotel in the late afternoon on Friday. The hotel is located at the southern end of the promenade, at the exact point where Tel Aviv meets Old Jaffa. On one side, the sea; on the other, the Neve Tzedek neighborhood; and in the middle – a 25-story tower overlooking everything. When I entered the lobby, the sun was already starting to set, and the view through the large windows made me pause for a moment. There is something about the colors of the Mediterranean at the end of Friday that makes all the stress of the week simply vanish.

I went up to a room on one of the higher floors. The large window presented the blue sea and the promenade where dozens of people were walking, running, cycling, and the sea changed its shades according to the hour. This was not just a hotel room; it was a lookout point over a city that is always in motion. The room itself was designed with clean, elegant lines, with attention to detail – soft sheets, adjustable lighting, and a huge bathroom with a bathtub and shower – simply a dream.

I decided to take advantage of the hour left before dinner and head to the beach. One of the advantages of this hotel is its location – no need to move the car, everything is within a short walking distance. In the twilight hours, the sea was warm and pleasant, and the beach was quite quiet – just a few families enjoying the last hours of daylight. There is something special about swimming when you know a warm bath is just a few steps away, and you don’t have to remain sticky until you get home.

I returned to the hotel in time for dinner at “Yaffo Courtyards.” Chef Alon Hirtenstein, who heads the kitchen, created a meal that honors every chef working with him. This was not just another standard buffet – it was an intimate buffet with precise dishes, balancing between traditional and modern. Some dishes surprised me, others were exactly what I expected from a quality Shabbat meal.

After dinner, I sat a little in the lobby with a glass of wine. The hotel lobby is a special place – a large space with enormous windows facing the sea, comfortable sofas, and an atmosphere that invites you to stay. I saw families sitting and chatting, couples reading newspapers, tourists planning the next day. There is something pleasant about sitting like this, with no agenda, just watching the sea as its colors change with the nightfall.

I woke up early for a yoga class by the pool. This happens on Saturday mornings, and I must say it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself. The class combines movement, breathing, and mindfulness, and is suitable for all levels. Doing yoga with a sea view, in the fresh air of a Saturday morning, positively affects you throughout the following week.

After yoga and a rich breakfast that included everything – from fresh salads to pancakes and freshly squeezed juices – I decided to do something I hadn’t expected at the hotel: Visit the “Corridor” gallery, located inside the hotel. This is not a small, marginal gallery – it is a beautiful space presenting contemporary art at an international level. In the current exhibition, you can see works by artists such as Koze, Kenny Scharf, and George Condo. There is something special about the combination of a luxury hotel and bold contemporary art. It gives the place a different character – less sterile, more connected to the Tel Aviv spirit.

Afterwards, I went for an independent walk in Neve Tzedek, although the hotel also offers guided tours of the neighborhood. The first neighborhood of Tel Aviv is very close to the hotel – just a few minutes’ walk, and suddenly you are in a different world. There is something magical about wandering the alleys of Neve Tzedek without a set purpose. The old houses with restored facades, the secret courtyards peeking through gates, the giant ficus trees casting shade over the sidewalks. I stopped in a few small galleries, looked at shop windows, and even popped in for a drink at the Station compound – a place I hadn’t visited casually in years.

Neve Tzedek is one of the neighborhoods that reminds you why Tel Aviv is not just a city of towers and noise. There is history, intimacy, and a sense of community. People you meet on the street know each other, coffee at cafes is served with a genuine smile, and the pace here is slower. This is exactly what you need after a busy week.

I returned to the hotel in the early afternoon with a feeling that something was needed to complete the experience. I went down to THE Spa, and realized this was exactly what was missing. The spa here is an experience in itself – the name stands for Tailor–made Holistic Experience, a personalized holistic experience, and that’s exactly what you get.

The spa spans 800 square meters and includes seven treatment rooms, including a couple’s room, dry and wet saunas, and a fully equipped gym. But what really distinguishes this place is the philosophy behind it. When I arrived, they started with a conversation – not a standard questionnaire, but a real discussion about what I needed. Shoulder tension? Fatigue? Every answer leads to a customized treatment.

The treatment itself was a combination of different approaches – classic massage techniques alongside holistic methods working on energy points in the body. The therapist knew exactly where the tension was, and his hands worked precisely and professionally. After the treatment, I stayed a little longer in the spa. I sat in the sauna for a few minutes and simply enjoyed the silence – it continued the relaxation process.

After the calm of the spa, I went to the pool. The hotel pool, as expected, overlooks the sea – a view that never gets boring. Even now, with a cool breeze, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the quiet, especially as the sun begins to set.

When I left the hotel after 24 hours, I felt I had experienced Tel Aviv from a different perspective. The hotel managed to give the perfect balance between the luxury of an international hotel and a real connection to the city. The sea, the promenade, Neve Tzedek – all within reach, and always a place to return to. A place that gives a sense of a peaceful bubble in the middle of this vibrant city.

What surprised me the most is that even as a Tel Avivian, I managed to experience the city differently, without the pressure of schedules and tasks. Sometimes, all it takes is 24 hours in the right place to remind yourself why you love this city.

Location: Southern end of Tel Aviv promenade, near Neve Tzedek.

Price range: Starting from NIS 2,160 per couple per night, including breakfast.