Middle East - Anthony Ham [233]
Momo’s Hostel (Map; 528 7471; momoshostel.com; 28 Ben Yehuda St; dm without bathroom 62NIS, d 140-220NIS, tr 280NIS; ) This slightly scruffy but cheerful place has an attached bar-café and a central location. Rates include a light breakfast and use of the kitchen. In summer you may be able to sleep on the roof for 40NIS.
HI Tel Aviv Youth Hostel (Map; 544 1748; telaviv@iyha.org.il; 36 B’nei Dan St; dm without bathroom US$28, d US$84 ) With less of an international party vibe than the other hostels, this is nevertheless a clean and well-kept place with all the necessary amenities, situated close to the buzzing Old Port. Dorms are definitely budget; the slightly overpriced doubles are well into the midrange price category.
MIDRANGE
Hotel Sun Aviv (Map; 517 4847; sun -aviv.co.il; 9a Montefiore St; d US$85-125; ) With just four beautifully decorated rooms, including the ‘Aphrodite’ equipped with a Jacuzzi (which the hotel suggests is ‘ideal for marriage proposals’) this is a warm and intimate choice. Situated at the heart of the city, the hotel is well placed for nights out on Rothschild Blvd.
Kikar Dizengoff Apartments (Map; 524 1151; www.hotel-apt.com; 89 Dizengoff St; s US$110-130, d US$110-170, ste US$180-210; ) Overlooking Dizengoff Sq, these are secure and comfortable self-contained units equipped with cable TV, safes and kitchenettes. Some even have a Jacuzzi and neat balconies for watching the world go by.
Hotel de la Mer (Map; 510 0011; delamer.co.il; 2 Ness Ziona St, cnr HaYarkon; s/d from US$135/155; ) Fancifully branding itself a ‘Feng Shui hotel’, the de La Mer gets top marks from travellers for its airy pastel-shaded rooms, great spa, personal attention by staff and sea views. The extensive breakfast, too, comes highly recommended and is sure to set you up for the day.
TOP END
Of course, you could stay in one of the well-known chains hugging the seaside: comfortable, corporate-feel branches of the Renaissance, Hilton, and Dan hotel chains are all up for grabs. Or you could try something a little different, as Tel Aviv slowly begins to cotton on to the notion of the boutique abode.
Cinema Hotel (Map; 520 7100; atlashotels.co.il; 2 Zamenhoff St; US$225/331; ) Part of an Israeli hotel chain, the Cinema is located in an old namesake, and manages to be charming and individual, complete with old bits of projectors, cinema posters and old stage lighting.
Hotel Montefiore (Map; 564 6100; 36 Montefiore St; d US$350-450; ) Antique-filled, bright and decadent, this is the newest, hottest place in town for travellers to splash out on a night of luxury in one of the 12 deliciously decorated rooms.
Eating
RESTAURANTS
It’s hard to recommend just a handful of Tel Aviv restaurants, since it’s rare to have a bad meal here. Here are a selection of favourites, but don’t neglect to branch out and discover your own.
Brasserie M&R (Map; 696 7111; 70 Ibn Gvirol St; mains 50-100NIS; noon-5am) Wannabe French ‘matradies’ (complete with surly attitude) serve up mouth-watering steak and chicken dishes, in a dimly lit brasserie that stays busy even until the wee hours. It’s quietly known as a meeting place for local celebrities, but still maintains a bustling neighbourhood atmosphere.
Benedict (Map; 686 8657; 29 Rothschild Blvd; 24hr) Where do you go if you’re craving blueberry pancakes or eggs Benedict at five in the afternoon, or, for that matter, in the morning? This constantly crowded 24-hour breakfast place, with two branches in Tel Aviv, makes light work of breakfast in all its manifold forms, with pastries baked on site and nutella pots on the tables. The second branch is located at 171 Ben Yehuda St (Map).
Tchernikovsky 6 (Map; 620 8729; 5 Tchernikovsky St; mains from 45NIS; noon-midnight Mon-Fri, noon-6pm Sat & Sun)If it’s a cool, calm night out you’re after, you can’t go wrong with this lovely local bistro run by a friendly young husband-and-wife team. There are cocktails and a delicious menu that changes almost