The refurbished Shalom Hotel in Tel Aviv does its utmost to make guests feel at home.
By RUTH BELOFFhotel sunset 311(photo credit: Courtesy)
After a long day of rushing around Jerusalem, I arrived at the Shalom Hotel in Tel Aviv just in time for Happy Hour. Located at the end of the hotel strip at Rehov Hayarkon 216, the newly opened five-star boutique hotel is conveniently situated across from the beach and right next door to one of its sister hotels, the Melody.Served in the lobby, which is elegantly designed like a New England living room, the Happy Hour buffet was attractively laid out for the hotel guests to enjoy. Although the Shalom does not serve dinner, the appetizing spread of sweet and savory fare, as well as wine and munchy snacks, can more than stave off one’s appetite before going out to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area.The 51-room hotel has three types of accommodation – Standard, Superior and Spa. Mine was a Spa Room, which was truly a delight to luxuriate in after a long and hectic day. At the far end of the room, next to the window with the ocean view, was a wooden platform with a Jacuzzi and a large cushioned chair, illuminated by a set of six blue lights overhead. Nice.The four-story hotel is designed on a nautical theme, thus the color scheme of my room was white and navy blue. It featured an inviting king-size bed, night tables and lamps, a desk and chair with a computer and large TV screen on the wall that also serves as the monitor, a full-lengthmirror, closet, fridge, coffee and tea corner and a safe. To enhance the spa experience, there were snowy white bathrobes and slippers laid out, as well as a complimentary foot care package with creams, lotions and a loofah. Very nice.The bathroom was equipped with stateof the-art fittings, which included a large glassed-in shower with a round overhead rain feature, as well as a hand-held showerhead.Spacious, modern and immaculate, the bathroom also had several pampering products on the shelf, as well as scented, fluffy white towels folded over the rungs of a short white ladder. Wonderful.That evening, a good friend who lives in Tel Aviv came to visit me at the hotel. First he and I went up to the roof to sit on the fabulous terrace that overlooks the sea. The height of luxury and relaxation, the terrace had a hammock, a Jacuzzi, large lounge chairs, wooden rocking chairs, huge plush chairs for two and a gazebo, not to mention music that had such high fidelity it sounded like Ella Fitzgerald was serenading us right there on the spot. Just great.After it got a little chilly, we went down to the lobby and sat in what really felt like a living room, with its upholstered wingback chairs, wooden tables, paintings by Tel Aviv artist Michael Argov and more soft jazz to relax by. Lovely.That night, I slept like a little log.The Shalom is operated by the Atlas Group, which manages a chain of upscale boutique hotels in the country, such as the Art Hotel, the Cinema Hotel, the Center Hotel and the Melody in Tel Aviv, the Sadot Hotel near Ben-Gurion Airport and the Harmony Hotel in Jerusalem. Characteristic of the Atlas chain is a different theme for each of its concept hotels, impeccable taste, immaculate premises and careful attention to detail. Part of that attention is the use of crisp white linens and duvets and the most comfortable pillows I have ever laid my head on. It was like sleeping on a cloud. Heavenly.
Needless to say, breakfast was well worth waking up for. Served in the lobby/living room, the buffet was a sumptuous spread of breads and cheeses, hot dishes and fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, cereals, cakes and a cabinet with drawers filled with a wide variety of fresh tea leaves. In addition to all that, what came as a very pleasant surprise was that every guest could order eggs made any way he wanted and brought piping hot to his table, as well as fresh brewed coffee served any style, such as espresso, café au lait or cappuccino. Delightful.As its name implies, the Shalom Hotel is a peaceful, serene place to relax, unwind and enjoy all the amenities of a seaside home away from home.The writer was a guest of the hotel.
