hikrchick

Looking for hotel suggestions in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for a visit starting Oct. 22 for 10 days -- a week after the holidays end. I'm bringing my DH for his first-ever trip, and while I've been more than a half-dozen times, I've always stayed with extended family and never booked a hotel. Now with a husband, we must stay in a hotel, which is a new experience for me ;-) We're in our mid- to late-40s.

Because I've only stayed in homes/apartments with family and friends, I've never given thought to areas to stay. In Jerusalem, for sure we would rather stay in Western Jerusalem/new city area. In Tel Aviv, I don't really know enough to choose an area. (I just always walked or took the bus to where I wanted to go, but with a first-timer, maybe there's a better area?) I'm wondering if staying on the beach will be a lot more expensive than somewhere else. I'm assuming that many people will leave after the holidays end and that hotels will lower prices as if it's an off-season. Am I dreaming?

We are not expecting 5-star, or even 4-star luxury. In my dreams I'd love a funky boutique hotel but if that's not possible I won't complain. Just somewhere with a private bathroom. $150 would be the top of our budget per night.

I see in another thread someone suggested the IYHA hostels. That would probably be fine for us but I wonder if it's filled with university students?

thanks for any guidance and suggestions.

mbgg

The Atlas hotel chain is often recommended on the forums:
http://www.atlas.co.il/
The IYHA hostels are open to everyone, have private ensuite rooms and maintain high standards. The clientele is varied and not only backpackers. I have recently stayed at the ones in Tel-Aviv and Ein Gedi and I can recommend them (and I'm older than you).

kacollier

We recently booked a trip for September and were looking at mid-range boutique size hotels. In Jerusalem we were considering Harmony by Atlas but found a better deal at Eyal Hotel (new property). Both are walking distance to Old City. The Diaghilev - Live Art Boutique Hotel was our choice for Tel Aviv. It is very close to good restaurants and nightlife and about 15-20 minutes to beach. I spent a lot of research time on tripadvisor.com so you might want to begin your search there. Also feel free to contact individuals who provide reviews as they are happy to clarify points regarding their stay or locale.

kacollier

We recently booked a trip for September and were looking at mid-range boutique size hotels. In Jerusalem we were considering Harmony by Atlas but found a better deal at Eyal Hotel (new property). Both are walking distance to Old City. The Diaghilev - Live Art Boutique Hotel was our choice for Tel Aviv. It is very close to good restaurants and nightlife and about 15-20 minutes to beach. I spent a lot of research time on tripadvisor.com so you might want to begin your search there. Also feel free to contact individuals who provide reviews as they are happy to clarify points regarding their stay or locale.

hikrchick

thank you so much for the help, I appreciate it! I will definitely be doing research this weekend.

I'll check out all these suggestions. I have to say, beyond all the other reasons I'm happy to go, I'm excited to stay in a hotel and not on my cousin's couch!

nygvic0326

We stayed at the Hotel Agripas during Passover / Holy Week. Nice accomodations and close to old city (10 minute walk / 2 stops on tram). They were super helpful. Would recommend highly

jeffnorman6

I encountered a luxury hotels in tel aviv called The Norman, it is one of the best one on which i stayed so far. I liked the service there, which makes you feel very special and more over a cold water pool on rooftop for removing your stress and all any one going tel aviv israel...might wanna take a look

http://www.thenorman.com/the-hotel/overview

jeffnorman6

Hi there,
Now i am planning to going Israel again and will be visiting to The Norman Hotel again, as i an ln love with the service that they provide so see you all guys there, if anyone is coming

jeffnorman6

The Norman is about to open and soft launch in August and main opening on September so i tighten my seal belts for a ride have you planed something like me

JerryS

Hello jeffnorman6.
Who are you working for?

basingstoke2

Following is an excerpt from our trip last year describing our hotel. It sounds like what you want - large, clean rooms well within your price range.

In Jerusalem we stayed at the Eden Jerusalem Hotel in the Talpiot region of the city for five nights. I have mixed feelings about the hotel. The hotel itself was quite nice - basic but very clean rooms, large bath that doubled as a safe room shelter with a thick steel door and excellent breakfasts included in the very reasonable for Jerusalem price. The breakfasts were an assortment of middle eastern salads - very tasty, hard boiled eggs, cheeses and breads. There was a coffee machine that made pretty much any type of coffee one would want as well as chocolate. DW thought these were the best breakfasts of the trip and her being a semi-vegetarian I could see why. There was a lot there for her and it was all good.

The downside of the hotel is its location. It is on a very nice residential street and is near several bus lines so that is good. However, if one wants to walk - well, when I asked how long a walk it would be to the Old City when making my reservation I got the standard "15 minutes" reply. When we did it, it took nearly an hour although one could cut 10-15 minutes of uphill walking from that by entering the old city through the Zion Gate rather than the Jaffa Gate but we did not know that at the time. The walk is not particularly interesting and is along a heavily trafficked avenue with its attendant bus and truck fumes. After our first walk to the Old City, we drove. There is little of tourist interest within an easy walk. Parking on the street in front of the hotel was never a problem.

hikrchick

Thanks very much, basingstoke2. I'll take a look at the Eden Hotel. We won't have a car so we would most likely take a bus.

basingstoke2

No problem hikrchick, I forgot to mention there is also a tram line on the same avenue where the buses run. The tram goes into central Jerusalem. We found the staff pleasant and helpful and the beds comfortable. There is also a laundry within a short walk where you can have your laundry done and folded on same or next day service. We thought they did a good job. There are a few small places to eat within walking distance as well, but they are nothing to write home about as well as an ice cream parlor with outside seating near the laundry.

jeffnorman6

i am not working for anybody....i just love the place because the Jerusalem is full of many quality hotels and what i found more amazing that the you can also enjoy the boutique hotels at affordable prices. I really wants to visit the city but my Job just didn't let me

Elkaz

Jeff--you have posted on multiple travel sites all pushing one hotel. If you don't work for them, I'd eat my hat. NO NORMAL person is so enamored with a hotel that they spend so much time joining and posting multiple posts, multiple sites all about a hotel. BTW I know some of your posts HAVE been removed by other sites for advertising.