Leonardo Suite Tel-Aviv Bat-Yam

The Leonardo Suite By the Beach is located across from the Bat Yam Beach and at the back of an abandoned mall managed by the hotel. Opened in the mid-90s, the 22-story hotel was taken over by Fattal’s Leonardo brand in 2010. In 2015, the fourth and sixth floors were renovated and given a fresher look consisting of modern furniture and a lighter color palette, though the hotel’s noticeable wear and tear make it feel ill-maintained. The most appealing spot on-site is the seventh floor, which houses a simple restaurant with panoramic windows and an indoor pool that connects to an outdoor pool. Outdoor terrace seating provides lovely views of the ocean and city. This property is popular with international business and leisure travelers, and Israelis on weekend beach breaks. The hotel has adjusted hours for check-in and check-out on holidays and Shabbat, and it follows kosher laws. 

This hotel is located across from Bat Yam Beach, within a 20-minute drive south from Tel Aviv proper and a five-minute drive from Tel Aviv's business district. There are a boardwalk across the street and several casual restaurants and bars within a short taxi drive or walking distance. Bat Yam is a quiet area without city buzz and best for tourists in search of a beach-centric vacation. Ben Gurion Airport is a 23-minute drive east. 

Leonardo Suites has 116 air-conditioned rooms that vary greatly, depending on whether they were renovated in 2015 or not, and several guests have commented negatively on the overall maintenance of them. Renovated guest rooms are contemporary with a fresh blue-green and charcoal color palette, plus metallic touches that give a subtle Art Deco nod. Expect tile floors, pale wood-laminate furniture, and sketches from Leonardo Da Vinci on the wall. Older guest rooms have a gold and deep-red color scheme, tile and charcoal wood floors, and basic furniture. All have floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of natural light, plus some upgraded rooms have furnished balconies.Standard amenities include tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, small digital safes, bar-sized mini-fridges, and tight bathrooms with shower stalls, hotel-branded toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Junior Suites are slightly larger, adding separate sitting areas with sofa beds. Upgrading to a Deluxe Suite means the same layout, but with a kitchenette area housing a wet bar, small microwave, and a larger mini-fridge, plus a four-person dining table. However, these rooms tend to have dated  bathrooms with metal countertops and old shower/tub combos. Guests in Deluxe Suites have access to a small VIP lounge area with free drinks and a TV. The White and Honeymoon Suites are nearly four times as large as the Junior Suites and is popular with couples. 

The hotel’s small Share Spa is popular and occasionally packed with guests wanting to utilize its five outdoor hot tubs, eight treatment rooms, and sauna (fee). Guests sporting towels and bathrobes give it a bathhouse vibe, and the outdoor deck’s hanging egg chairs overlooking the sea are favorites for lounging. A corner lounge has free tea, beer, and drinks. The seventh-floor pool is open from April through November, and extends into the breakfast room. It offers good sea and city views, though the worn wooden deck and overall lack of maintenance are less than desirable. Off to the side, there’s a small kiddy pool.Food options include the kosher breakfast buffet (fee) served on the seventh floor, featuring an Israeli buffet with egg station, healthy options, and savory items like pizza and stew, as well as the small Kakao bistro cafe in the mall. Those on a full-board package receive vouchers to here and a handful of other restaurants in the area. If all else fails, there’s a vending machine at the hotel. Unlike most Leonardo hotels, there is no business lounge here. The fitness room is actually a full-fledged gym located inside the shared mall. Expect Technogym equipment, Precor treadmills, and free weights. It’s free for guests, though group classes and personal training instructors cost extra. Free welcome baby kits, inclusive of Gerber baby food, bottle sanitizers, cribs, and more are available free by advance request. Parking costs extra.