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Just north of Tel Aviv, in the luxurious community of Herzliya, lies one of Israel’s most incredibly comfortable and luxurious hotel properties, the Ritz Carlton Herzliya. Traveling to Israel leaves any luxury-minded visitor with the challenge of deciding where to spend most of their time. Travelers can choose from historic Jerusalem, sun-soaked Eilat or the desert. But, Tel Aviv has a particular draw – everything. With world-class shopping, beautiful beaches, interesting museums and thumping night-life, Tel Aviv is the perfect jumping-off point on a trip to Israel. In fact, it’s the perfect long weekend from places like London, Paris and, dare we say, New York. The Ritz Carlton is the only choice for your home away from home in this fantastic city.
Pulling-up to the Ritz Carlton Herzliya, you are instantly struck by the unique exterior which was designed by New York-based architecture firm Studio Gaia. The steel and glass-framed exterior reflects the blue from the Mediterranean and leaves you with an instant feeling of calm. The hotel is connected to a large mall with restaurants, cafes and shopping within a two-minute walk. The marina, located in the rear of the hotel, glitters in the sun with white yachts owned by the area’s most affluent residents. Doors swing open and up an elevator you go to instantly find yourself inside a modern and minimally decorated lobby.
The lobby is marked by a large living area where guests can enjoy cocktails as well as snacks from the bar. Flower arrangements dot the room and, of course, stunning views of the marina command your attention. I was escorted to a duplex suite on the 9th floor of the hotel, with a terrace large enough to do back flips on – several times over. The desaturated wide-plank wooden floors of the space were the perfect foundation for a living area and open kitchen, outfitted with a sink, stainless steel microwave, Nespresso machine, ding table and two story ceilings. Up the stairs revealed a large bedroom with views of the marina and a glassed-in bathroom overlooking the entire suite – pure heaven.
I was welcomed to the Ritz with a “Sparkling Marina” – a champagne cocktail named after the location of the hotel. This was just the start, but set the tone for the stay. Over three days, I experienced the best in hospitality any luxury traveler could ask for. The staff here are very well trained and willing to do anything to make their guests happy. This isn’t always easy to find in Israel, but, at the Ritz, it’s “the way”. Every experience from breakfast in the Kosher restaurant to the bar, showed that the staff here really do care and want to take five-star service to another level.
The hotel offers amenities like a full-sized gym with the latest equipment, a rooftop bar and heated swimming pool, shopping, concierge and even residences if you just can’t get enough and really want to call this small slice of heaven “home”. Overall the hotel is fantastic and deserves the accolades it’s received since opening in 2013. If you’re coming to Israel whether to visit family, friends or on a beach holiday just to “get away”, make the Ritz Carlton Herzliya your choice.
