The New and Improved David Intercontinental Tel Aviv

With a long line of hotels along the Tel Aviv seashore, what makes the David
Intercontinental stand out? As someone who had been lucky enough to stay in
numerous luxury hotels in Israel and worldwide, I felt uniquely qualified to check
it out again.

My last visit to David Intercontinental was during Covid. I grew up in that now
famous neighborhood of Neve Zedek at a time when there were only a couple of
hotels there facing the sea. But now, with the completion of the long-awaited NIS
40 million renovation and introduction of the premium terrace rooms, I decided
to experience the upgrade firsthand. The rooms feature 28- 30 sq.m of interior
space, plus expansive 12sq.m private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean
Sea and the Tel Aviv skyline.

The architectural firm ARA Design, which has partnered with the hotel since its opening, led the renovation project. The ultimate luxury was the Premium Terrace Room’s bathroom with features such as an oversized rain-shower and a very relaxing deep soaking bathtub. I felt like I could spend hours there but I had to explore the next destination: the hotel’s famed THE Spa. It stands for Tailor-made Holistic. The variety of pampering treatments take place in seven rooms and suites. Molton Brown, the iconic British luxury beauty brand, is used in the Spa.

For my treatment, I tried the signature combination massage, which seemed to hit
all the sore points waiting to be healed. It was better than my Swiss Alps
treatment. Relaxing in the private terrace following the massage made me
appreciate not just the magnificent view of the Tel Aviv sunset but also being
able to actually feel and breathe the sea breeze from my beautiful balcony.
It was ever so convenient being able to cross the street and get a few
delicacies from the iconic market – Shuk Hakarmel. A short distance from the
hotel I had coffee at one of the quaint Neve Zedek cafes and a stroll along this
newly renovated upscale neighborhood. The location couldn’t be better – a bridge
between the old and the new Tel Aviv. Driving into and out of the hotel was
made ever so easy thanks to the readily accessible highway.

My Friday dinner was the ultimate mouth-watering experience. I didn’t have
starve as a vegetarian, with a huge selection of Mediterranean salads and could
only admire the gourmet selection of meat and fish dishes which all others seem
to relish. The service was impeccable, attentive yet discreet.

Over the famed Israeli breakfast buffet I had a chance to socialize with a few of
the other guests. Both the Israelis and foreigners seemed delighted with the
hotel in general and the renovated wing in particular. The tourists felt right at
home thanks to the high international standard of the David Intercontinental.

However, the most amusing comment I heard was from a young woman at a table of ten girlfriends who told me; ”I love the David Intercontinental as it feels like being abroad without having to fly out of the country.”

For both tourists and Israeli guests, it’s a win-win.