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The sea-front Carlton recently received a major make-over with a new lobby, refreshed rooms, gourmet restaurant and high-tech executive lounge. Set close to the Tel Aviv Marina, the Carlton offers easy access to both the beach and Tel Aviv’s main fi nancial centers. On-property, meanwhile, the new business centre offers free, 24-hour fax/internet/local calls, along with a comfortable location for holding small meetings and presentations.
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Set south of the main hotel zone, the David Inter-Continetal is the city’s newest luxury hotels and played host to Madonna herself during the pop star’s Fall 2004 visit. The expansive outdoor pool turns into a hip alfresco lounge during the summer months, while its towering lobby area is among the most impressive in town and perfect for power meetings. This is easily the most modern of Tel Aviv’s five stars, but while steps from the beach, its location is less than ideal for those seeking a more ”city-center” experience.
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Thanks to a recent renovation, the massive Hilton feels new and vibrant despite being decades old. Set right in verdant Independence Park and perched directly over the Mediterranean, the hotel is a business traveller’s delight, with separate “Executive Accommodations” for travelers needing business-friendly amenities – fax, three phones – close at hand. Along with one of the city’s largest ballrooms, the Hilton can claim its most expansive hotel fitness facility/spa and oversized swimming pool. The Yakimono Sushi bar is great for lunch meetings.
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Built in the 1930s as the Esther Cinema, this was one of the first movie theaters in Israel. Today, it serves as one of Israel’s only true “boutique” hotels, combining 82 simply-designed rooms and low-key service with original cinematic details, such as movie posters, film projectors and theater chairs. There are business facilities and a jacuzzi, though the Cinema’s best feature is clearly its Dizengoff Circle location, making it literally close to everything.
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It may not be hip or chic, but the Hotel Metropolitan wins big for its city center location (close to the beach and the business district), efficient service and low prices. Popular with mostly European tour groups, the hotel includes a pool and small fitness centre, multi-lingual staff and rooms equipped to handle laptop modems. A smart choice for travellers on a budget.
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A recent addition to the Hotel Metropolitan, the Metropolitan suites is a service-apartment style property with one- and two-bedroom suites aimed at extended-stay travelers. Each unit comes with a small kitchen to cook your own meals as well as a separate living room. There is an Executive Lounge with all-day snacks and business facilities (computer/ printer/fax) along with meetings and larger-scale conference rooms. The suites are a new add-on to the Metropolitan Hotel and along with their dedicated entrance, have a fresher, more stylish feel.
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This small, serviced apartment-styled boutique is as close as Tel Aviv gets to a high-concept, Wallpaper magazine-worthy property. While the hotel’s suites vary in size, each comes with separate sleeping and work/rest area with a medium-sized kitchen to cook your own meals. Most suites come with their own full-size desktop computer. The property is located on the beach and next to the Yotvata restaurant, where guests take their breakfast. There is also a well-equipped gym on site.
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The Sheraton City Tower is just outside Tel Aviv in the diamond district in the ever-expanding suburb of Ramat Gan. Skyscraping new, the hotel houses one of the city’s top spas, Atlantis, as well as some of its most stylish rooms, including 100 with exec-friendly amenities such as fax/printer machines; each room comes with its own private telephone and fax number as well. The city center is about a 15 minute taxi drive, and the airport 20 minutes away.
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Among the numerous five-stars lining Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean promenade, Sheraton Tel Aviv holds its own for location, service, style and cuisine. Located just above prime sunning-spots like Gordon Beach and moments from Dizengoff Street’s shopping, the 342-room Sheraton also scores points for its tasty Mediterranean-styled Olive Leaf restaurant, outdoor pool and high-tech, exec-friendly tower rooms.
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The Dan is Tel Aviv’s oldest, and in many ways leading, fi ve star, with an unmatched location right on the Mediterranean and telltale multicolored facade. Although its ‘60s-era decor may feel dated, it’s actually recreated examples of the hotel’s original, custom-made interiors. The Dan’s outdoor pool is one of the biggest in the city and its morning buffet breakfast is a so elaborate it borders on the obscene. Look for world leaders and the occasional Hollywood type as your fellow diners – they’ll undoubtedly be staying in one of the Dan’s swanky sea-front penthouse suites and indulging in the recently renovated spa.
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