I came to the Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv entirely by chance, without any advance planning.
I was sitting on a plane with my mother on the way toWrocław, until the flight attendant of Ryanair announced that the plane wouldn’t take off that day because of a problem with a door.
Very sad, we got off the plane and went back to the terminal, and after some hassle we were told the flight was postponed by a day. It was Friday, and there was no public transport to get back home (in Israel public transport stops over Shabbat), so they drove all of us to the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Usually this isn’t the kind of hotel I go to for holidays. If it’s a hotel holiday, I prefer small, child-free boutique hotels. Usually the food at boutique hotels is more carefully prepared and the corridors are quieter.
I was surprised to discover that the atmosphere at the hotel is wonderful, the breakfast is especially indulgent, the pool is a treat (we were there in winter and the pool is outdoors, so we had it to ourselves), and there’s a jacuzzi with a view over Tel Aviv.
The rooms
There are several types of room; all the rooms include a very small balcony with a view of the sea or the city.
We got a superior room with a city view on a high floor.
The room is spacious compared with other hotels I’ve stayed at in Tel Aviv, well equipped and with a well-maintained shower.
The bed is comfortable and indulgent, with a flat-screen TV, sockets next to the bed and coffee supplies.
Note: there’s a minibar in the rooms with exaggerated prices.
I recommend buying at the kiosk opposite the hotel to avoid unnecessary costs.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the restaurant outside the hotel, on the pier, a beautiful view to start the day with. We stayed at the hotel on a Friday night, and because the hotel’s breakfast is kosher, no omelettes or freshly brewed coffee were served on Shabbat morning. Despite that, we were pleasantly surprised by the hotel’s breakfast. The service was wonderful, the cleanliness was excellent and the atmosphere was pleasant. A large selection of cheeses, vegetables, fish, cooked food, pastries and more. A selection of fresh-squeezed juices, hot drinks and soft drinks. The desserts didn’t disappoint either. There was a whole honeycomb, a variety of puddings, cakes and cookies. And coolest of all, there’s a corner that’s entirely vegan food.
More facilities
The hotel has a variety of facilities.
Outdoor pool and jacuzzi:
The hotel has an outdoor pool and jacuzzi on the hotel’s 15th floor, on the roof.
From the pool there’s a panoramic view of Tel Aviv’s beaches and promenade, and from the jacuzzi the urban view of Tel Aviv.
In the evening a bar opens on the roof, next to the pool and jacuzzi, where you can enjoy a drink facing the sunset and, later in the evening, the city lights.
Spa center and gym:
The hotel offers a gym with new, advanced equipment. The gym includes kinetic machines and free weights.
Personal training can be booked in advance.
The hotel has a spa with an indoor pool, a jacuzzi and a sauna.
You can book one of the variety of massages the spa offers.
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May we always travel,
Shir Yam
