I ended my trip to Israel with a splurge in Tel Aviv at The Jaffa, a recent addition to Marriott’s The Luxury Collection portfolio. My stay was flawless.
I will publish a full review as part of my Israel trip report, but wanted to highlight immediately what a fabulous property this is.
First, book it through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and you’ll receive early check-in, late check-out, a room upgrade, $100 in dining credit, and two free breakfasts.
The hotel is on the site of a former French hospital in the heart of old Jaffa and has been beautifully restored. The lobby area is delightfully minimalist, with a stone wall running through it (the hotel found an ancient city under the hotel while excavating, delaying the hotel opening by a decade…).
We were upgraded to a junior suite, though I’d give credit to my son for charming the hotel staff to such an extent that they could not resist his smile and curly hair. We did not request it, though it probably also helped that we arrived in the late afternoon and were only staying one night.
The hotel has an old building (the former hospital) and new building with a beautiful courtyard in between. Our room in the new building was very spacious and had a balcony with an ocean view. Perhaps junior suite was a stretch, but Augustine chose to sleep on the couch versus a rollaway bed. No bathtub, but a beautiful walk-in shower. If you stay in the old building, the rooms may be a bit smaller, but you’ll enjoy beautiful high ceilings.
I also greatly enjoyed swimming with my son and made use of the sauna and steam room.
But perhaps my favorite part of the hotel was the beautiful bar called “The Chapel”. The former hospital was Roman Catholic and had a chapel on-site. It was painstakingly restored and (apparently with permission from the Vatican) was turned into a very classy cocktail bar. The hotel offers guests a complimentary happy (half) hour from 6:00PM to 6:30PM.
More on the food and other hotel amenities in my full review, but I’ll just add the breakfast was very, very delicious.
CONCLUSION
After spending the week in guests houses and apartments, it was so nice to enjoy a beautiful luxury hotel in what quickly became one of my favorite cities. I’ll have much more to share on this hotel and on Tel Aviv in the days ahead.
@ Matthew — It is quite lovely, but it is a Marriott in a country run by the Trump of the ME. No thanks. Maybe when those two things change, I can go stay there, too.
You’re lucky to have stayed here. Rates are astronomical during high season, pretty much making it a points option only. We look forward to the full review.
@Gene. Agree but surely that ghastly man is set to be kicked out this time ( …hopefully jailed together with the rest of his family…)
Ghastly man? Strong words, brother.
Did protecting his citizens from rockets fired indiscriminately at civilians hurt your feelings? In other words, you wanted those rockets to kill the Jews living there?
…the personification of cluelessness…
As a MB Ambassador, the hotel denied my SNA. The GM messaged me I could buy an upgrade! I paid US $750 a night, off season a few months ago.
Took 1.5 hours to checkin; they gave my room away and gave a downgrade.
My room was above the restaurant on 2nd floor. Room was dark and windows were high.
Bell man dragged a suitcase a broke a wheel.
Concierge forgot to make a dinner reservation.
Russian guys working in lobby bar could careless about customers.
Bar in refractory had no table service, and, music was eardrum shattering.
Checkout took 20 minutes due to disputes on bill and wrong room rates.
Never had an apology for any of their mistakes.
Arrogant staff throughout the place. Poorly managed.
Stayed at the RC Herzliya and was treated incredibly well.
Yes, quid pro Joe and his Brilliant son in that Osama corrupted administration will get jail time. Is that the family you are talking about? The wheels of justice do grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine.
It’s take time to clean the swamp in both parties. But it will get done. The American people deserve it.
I could not help but notice that they laid out quite a spread of booze for breakfast!
Not exactly. Buffet was just set up on bar.
What’s with the thinly veiled antisemitic political screed being brought on a comment on a hotel review?
Part of the irrationality. The Jews and Trump conspiracy.
Thank you, Matthew for another heartwarming review which is enriched by your love for Augustine.
How is comparing Netenyahu to Trump antisemitic in any way? Many people compare their styles and conservative policy-making and sensationalism.
Not sure how that is considered antisemitic …
Just a small correction one of your captions: You peeked in, not peaked.
@Gene, your political views are of no relevance to this post, and of zero interest to me as a reader. @ Matthew, I stayed at The Jaffa in late 2019, and was “upgraded” to the exact same “junior suite” as you! It’s on such a busy, noisy street corner, however, I couldn’t even keep the balcony door open (defeating enjoyment of the nice, seaside weather). I asked to be returned to the partial sea-view room I’d reserved, which is on the quieter, backside of the hotel. There’s a lot to like about The Jaffa, but the rooms are not one of them in my opinion. They’re of nice quality, but just not functional and – Marriott elites take note – management is very stingy with upgrades. Don’t expect much for your $800USD/nt there. The included breakfast, however, is excellent. I’ll forgo points and try the nearby Setai next time instead.