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- Dark star: Sleepy Chinese town brought alive by its murky past
- Boutique Bauhaus: Tel Aviv’s hippest hotel hangouts
| Posted: 16 Nov 2014 11:19 PM PST Many of London's most recognizable buildings are owned by foreign investors. Here are eight       |
| 15 of the world's most spectacular fountains Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:00 PM PST People never cease to find amazing ways to make water more incredible than it already is. Here are some powerful examples     |
| Norovirus sickens more than 170 on cruise ship Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:07 PM PST |
| Dark star: Sleepy Chinese town brought alive by its murky past Posted: 14 Nov 2014 08:17 AM PST |
| Boutique Bauhaus: Tel Aviv’s hippest hotel hangouts Posted: 12 Nov 2014 09:24 PM PST Minimalist homes -- and a dental clinic -- are transformed into chic destinations in Israel's capital of cool Tel Aviv's UNESCO-inscribed "White City," a neighborhood that's home to more than 4,000 examples of Bauhaus architecture, is undergoing a revival. Gorgeous boutique hotels and eateries have moved in and it's become the city's hippest place to hang out. Here are some of the hottest spots in town. The NormanWhen The Norman hotel opened earlier this year, it became the latest in a slew of boutique properties to open its doors. Originally designed as separate apartment buildings, the 50-room hotel brings two 1925 structures together. The eclectic No. 23 Nachmani St. brims with Renaissance and Oriental influences, while the grand modernist No. 25 Nachmani St. -- separated by a fragrant citrus garden -- has clean lines and wooden shutters that recall the 1920s. The building was originally used for apartments and offices. Israeli architect Yoav Messer restored the facade to its original condition and added a penthouse floor, but the windows, doors, exterior lights and wall stenciling uncovered during renovation are original. High ceilings, parquet flooring with inlaid brass, and reinterpretations of the tile through embroidered drapes, cushions and rugs speak to the building's homey heritage; a resident curator is on hand to offer insights into the artwork displayed throughout the building. If the trend in the rest of the quarter holds, The Norman's eateries will be as packed with local hipsters as guests: the brasserie-style The Norman Restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine throughout the day, and Dinings, a Japanese tapas restaurant with a live sushi counter and outdoor dining, are already causing a buzz on the local food scene. The Norman, 23 - 25 Nachmani Street, Tel Aviv Israel; +972 3 543 55 55 | thenorman.com The Rothschild Hotel
Locally it's known as "the building with the choral singers on the balcony," for a famous sculpture by Ofra Zimbalista installed on the veranda. It's also a prime perch to indulge in a spot of people watching, as Israelis in well-cut suits talk over the day's business and willowy, well-heeled socialites in cotton sundresses gossip over pastries. Inside, many of the items were designed by Israeli artists by hand, exclusively for the hotel; natural toiletries and spa products are produced in a small factory named Es-sense that operates from a farm in the Jerusalem hills. Menus bill the cuisine as "Zionist cuisine with a French accent." This includes lavish a la carte breakfasts of bread-pudding with creme fraiche and caramelized apples with cinnamon alongside Israeli favorites such as shakshuka, fresh vegetables, assorted cheeses, bread, jams, juice and coffee or tea with fish seafood and vegetarian dishes served later in the day. The Rothschild Hotel - Tel Aviv's Finest, 96 Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv 65224 Israel; +972 3 957 88 88 | rothschild-hotel.co.il AlmaThe deep-sea-green Alma is set within a former 1925 bohemian apartment building designed to house six families living side by side. It opened as a hotel less than a year ago under Adi & Irit Strauss -- the brother-sister team that created Herbert Samuel Tel-Aviv, Tapas 1 Ha'am and a kosher restaurant, the new Herbert Samuel Hertzliya. Architect Ari Shaltiel has re-imagined the building as a 15-room luxury hotel and lounge that trades on contemporary whimsy. Eclectic stained glass, striking prints, monochrome tiles and citrus velvet upholstered chairs are reflected in twinkling mosaic mirrors. Fine cuisine provided by award-winning chef Yonatan Roshfeld makes the restaurant and lounge one of the city's hottest tickets for business lunches, long weekend brunches, romantic dinners or cocktails. Alma Hotel & Lounge, 23 Yavne Street, Tel Aviv Israel; +972 3 630 87 77 | almahotel.co.il Townhouse Tel AvivSet within a former bank, Townhouse Tel Aviv has been renovated to the building's original 1930s aesthetic by Israeli designers Joshua and Dafna Kastiel. Ethereal white corridors lead to 19 individually decorated rooms, each featuring herringbone floors, handmade rugs and textured linens and fabrics crafted to create a clean yet cozy, cocoon-like space. Dead Sea bath amenities are featured in its pristine white tiled bathrooms. Fronting the distinctive facade, shuttered windows open onto balconies that command views of the surrounding White City. Townhouse Tel Aviv Hotel, 32 Yavne Street, Tel Aviv 65792 Israel; +972 3 944 43 00 | townhousetelaviv.com Rothschild 71
When Dr. Moshe Krieger opened the clinic in 1934, he lived upstairs and rented the remaining accommodations. Now it's been renovated as a hotel. The property is still owned by the same family -- the doctor's grandson resides upstairs. Exteriors and staircases are original, with new woodwork touches by renowned carpenter Moshe Castiel. A ground floor lounge -- complete with complimentary champagne, cookies and snacks -- has replaced the reception area. Upstairs, the family has maintained the dimensions of the original apartments to offer 25 lofts when the property could easily have accommodated 60 rooms. Each spacious suite is light, airy and although decorated in a contemporary style with light woods and splashes of citrus colors, there's still a sense of what living here in the 1930s might have been like. The Rothschild 71, 71 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv 65786 Israel; +97236290555 | the-rothschild.com Hotel MontefioreThe 12-room ultra chic Hotel Montefiore, housed within a lavish restored 1920s residence, was built in the eclectic style that preceded the Bauhaus movement. High ceilings, tall windows and wooden floors are accentuated by romantic, art deco lamps and chairs. Walls and public spaces are dedicated to contemporary Israeli art; each room presents one young, emerging artist. While Hotel Montefiore is one of the city's most sought after places to stay, it's also one of its most popular places to eat, drink and hang out. Menu items run the gamut from tuna sashimi and refreshing spring rolls to seafood casserole and Tournedos Rossini. Well-heeled ladies that lunch continue conversations over afternoon tea with scones. After dark, a fabulous crowd takes over the sexy bar. Hotel Montefiore, 36 Montefiore St, Tel Aviv Israel; +972 3 564 61 00 | hotelmontefiore.co.il BrownAt the 19-room Brown -- set within a former bank, it's a Design Hotels member -- rooms and corridors recall the moody, faded glamour of the 1970s. The rooftop sundeck with open air Jacuzzi is a great place to soak up the Mediterranean sun; the hotel breakfast is served at five restaurants within walking distance of the hotel to encourage guests to explore the area. Inside, the hotel's support of the local creative scene is evident at every turn. Works by street artist Pilpeled adorn the walls, art and design pop-up stores ArtSetters and Souvenir are regularly featured and the city's movers and shakers turn out in force for its weekly parties. The ground floor garden bar is as popular among writers, graphic designers and professionals seeking an inspiring spot for a meeting. Brown TLV Urban Hotel, 25 Kalisher St, Tel Aviv 65165 Israel; +972 3 717 02 00 | brownhotel.co.il The Diaghilev
Housed within a 1934 building -- which originally served as the first printing house for the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" -- the hotel incorporates Oriental rugs, an array of lamps, unique tables and other original pieces of furniture with handmade objects and products designed by independent designers and artists. Every decorative piece on display is for sale -- there's even an in-house studio to nurture emerging artists. Changing art exhibitions and concepts ensure that the guest experience, like the city around them, is constantly evolving. The Diaghilev, LIVE ART Boutique Hotel, 56 Mazeh Street, Tel Aviv 65789 Israel; +972 3 545 31 31 | diaghilev-tel-aviv.com
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