A little over a year has passed since an Iranian missile struck the intersection of Allenby, Pinsker, and Ben Yehuda streets, near Mograbi Square, one of the most central areas in the city. Since then, local businesses have begun to recover and the streets are returning to life, as only Tel Aviv knows how.
Now, additional news comes to the area: On the site where the Zamir Cinema operated for decades, The Aby, a new urban hotel, recently opened. The hotel, which opened with an investment of about NIS 40 million and after a one-year delay due to the missile strike, was established under the leadership of hotel entrepreneur Danny Tamari, founder of The Vera boutique hotel.
The hotel features 40 rooms and is located at the intersection of Allenby and Ben Yehuda streets, just a few minutes' walk from the beach and several of Tel Aviv's most iconic spots. I checked in to stay there and feel, for at least one day, like a tourist in my own city.
The room
The hotel has 40 rooms, ranging from Classic rooms measuring 17 sq.m., to Deluxe rooms measuring 24 sq.m., to Studio rooms and Courtyard rooms measuring 23 to 28 sq.m., which include a balcony and an outdoor bathtub. I stayed in a Deluxe room, which included a king-size bed and a seating area.
The first thing that stood out positively was the design. The room is decorated in earth tones and warm walnut wood, which give it a cozy and warm feel, managing to make one slightly forget that right below lies one of the busiest intersections in the city. However, if you are someone who likes a lot of light, you should take into account that in the evening hours the room is slightly dark due to the minimalist lighting.
The bathroom is also very spacious, especially the shower itself. Here, too, the design line of warm earth tones continues, providing a relaxing and pampering feel. Added to this are organic products from Arugot, with pleasant scents that enhanced the experience.
In the room you will also find a smart TV and a minibar. The level of cleanliness was exceptionally high, and the hotel staff was helpful and available for any request or need that arose during the stay.
An urban vacation in the heart of Tel Aviv
So what is there to do there? The biggest advantage of The Aby is without a doubt its location. The hotel is located about a five-minute walk from the beach, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, and within a short walking distance from the Carmel Market, Nahalat Binyamin, and Sheinkin Street. If you want to reach slightly more distant places, you can borrow bicycles from the hotel free of charge and enjoy the city like locals.
If you actually want to take a break from Tel Aviv's fast pace, a self-service, free wine machine awaits guests in the lobby, available freely throughout the stay and offering four types of Israeli wine, including red, white, and rosé.
With a glass of wine in hand, you can go up to the hotel's rooftop, where sunbeds and towels await. There is no pool there, but in the afternoon and evening hours, the roof is a pleasant place to take a glass of wine, enjoy the sunset over the city, or simply catch some sun.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. On Saturday morning, when I stayed at the hotel, the selection was varied and included breads, spreads, cheeses, salads, sweet and savory pastries, mini jachnungs, and hard-boiled eggs. Alongside these were lighter options, such as chia pudding, granola, and various toppings.
In addition, natural juices were served, and of course coffee. The coffee machine is available to guests in the lobby throughout the day, alongside snacks, a small but especially fun addition for those who like to stop for a coffee between outings.
The prices
Midweek prices start at approximately NIS 900 per night for a couple in a Classic room and reach approximately NIS 1,400 in the larger rooms. On weekends, prices start at approximately NIS 1,100 per night for a couple in a Classic room and can reach approximately NIS 1,700 in the larger rooms.
The bottom line
For those who want to experience Tel Aviv from its most central location, The Aby is a good option for an urban vacation. Its main advantage is the combination of a central location with the warm and intimate feeling that awaits inside. The rooms are well-designed and pampering, the rooftop and free wine are a successful bonus, and the service and cleanliness were of a high standard.
However, one must take into account the somewhat dim lighting in the rooms and the fact that the hotel is located in an area still undergoing rehabilitation and construction processes following the missile strike, meaning some of the rubble is still visible in the vicinity. But if the goal is to go out, travel, eat, and have fun in the city and then return to a pleasant and pampering place at the end of the day, it certainly does the job.
The writer was a guest of The Aby hotel.