Tel Aviv — Israel
Tel Aviv — Israel
Where we stayed — The Jaffa Hotel
In the 19th century, pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem would arrive in the City of Jaffa (one of the world’s most ancient ports, now part of Tel Aviv) often sick from the long trip that is still to be continued.
One traveler, Francios Guinet, from France, saw a need and created a hostel that provided shelter for nobility and commoners alike arriving in Jaffa. He later returned to Paris and convinced King Louis V to fund the construction of a hospital in Jaffa. The “Saint Louis V Hospital”, dedicated in 1879, welcomed patients from every land free of charge regardless of sex, religion, or nationality, a modern notion for the turn of the 20th century. This hospital is the original structure of what is now, The Jaffa Hotel.
The redesign by Gill and Pawson in the 21st century pays tribute to the building’s vast history balancing past and present with respect and restraint. Every sensation is activated during your stay at The Jaffa Hotel, thus the successful redesign was not only seen but felt.
Images above of Beit Kandinof: gallery room on the left // walking through Jaffa to the restaurant on the right.
Where we ate —
The Jaffa Hotel staff recommended Beit Kandinof on our first night, a lovely Tel Aviv eatery that doubled as an art gallery only a few blocks from The Jaffa Hotel through the Old City of Jaffa. The energy of the space was warm and inviting accompanied by the staff’s kind and attentive service. The food was fresh and regional and worth being adventurous with.
We returned again on our last night in Tel Aviv!
Night two, we ate at George and John, boasting contemporary Israeli cuisine. Chef Tomar Tal, highly regarded in Israel as well as the international ranking of The Middle East and North Africa, served show-stopping course after show-stopping course showcasing his ingenuity with traditional dishes.
Note —
We visited in January, 2023, so the dishes we ate then are likely different at different times of the year.
Images below of George and John: dishes on the left // atmosphere on the right.
What we saw —
We were in Israel to begin creating my wedding dress with the incredibly talented Coral Confortti (image of her old studio). However, this means we did not have time for as much as we would have liked outside of days in the studio. There are many markets, beaches, and restaurants we will be attending next time we return, and I’m itching to explore the Bauhaus district (German architecture popular in the early 1900s characterized by simple geometric forms, smooth facades, flat roofs, and modern materials).
Some places on my bucket list include Neve Yam Beach (free), Dado Beach (lined with boardwalks and shops), Neve Tzedek (neighborhood with dining and shops), Carmel Market, Jaffa Flea Market, Beit Ben-Gurion Library/Museum, Bauhaus Center, and more.
What we learned —
Most Tel Avivians speak English (some fluently and others well enough to communicate) and are excited to speak with you. Everyone was cheerful and eager to hear my story and share their insights and suggestions. We used Gett (like Uber) to get around and always had a pleasant experience with the drivers. I recommend downloading the app and creating an account for easy use during your visit. We used Gett to go from The Jaffa Hotel to George and John as well as to the Ha’Hagana Train Station on our bonus day to catch a train to Jerusalem.
Ha’Hagana Train Station was on the smaller side and easy to navigate and the employees were helpful and willing to speak English.
Up next — Jerusalem!
