Alexander Tel-Aviv Hotel

The first hint of the Alexander's style can be spotted from the street. The building has a blue-tinted glass facade with an accordion-style design. Stepping in through the sliding glass doors feels slick and luxe from the get-go. The reflective black glass, polished emerald green and tan leather couches, tall metal bookcase, and thick velvet curtains feel sexy and sleek, miles way from the sun-bleached beige color of Tel Aviv. Originally built sometime in the late '90s, the Alexander was renovated in 2016. The new London-based owners are designers and approached the project with a spare-no-expense attitude. They also changed carpets and mattresses, painted the walls, and opened the Deluxe wing of rooms. As is common with hotels in the White City, there are visible elements of wear and tear, though whereas several properties in Tel Aviv tend to lack true design, this is not one of them. The hotel tends to draw well-heeled tourists and business guests. 

Alexander Tel Aviv Hotel is located on the northernmost tip of Tel Aviv's beachfront hotel row. While properties along the row require guests to cross a busy thoroughfare to reach the beach, the Alexander has an easy and direct path to the sands of Metzitszim Beach. It's also just one block from Independence Park and a quick walk to the Tel Aviv Port. The bounty of shops, bars, and restaurants off Ben Yehuda and Dizengoff streets are less than a five-minute walk away. - Five-minute walk to Ben Yehuda Street

• Six-minute walk to Tel Aviv Port
• Seven-minute walk to Dizengoff Street
• 16-minute walk to the beachfront boardwalk
• 13-minute drive to Rabin Square
• 13-minute drive to Carmel Market
• 15-minute drive to Old Jaffa 
• 16-minute drive to Rothschild Boulevard
• 20-minute drive to Sarona Market

The Alexander's rooms and suites are stylish, to say the least, and no two are quite the same, though some are in need of a refresh. Rooms blend black leather futon couches and black glass with vintage wooden writing desks, oxidized metal headboards, and geometric wall accents to pull off a classic yet contemporary look. Beds have orthopedic mattress covers and goose down pillows, while bathrooms are stocked with L'Occitane products. Like several hotels in the same class, the Alexander's rooms come standard with Nespresso machines, mini-fridges, free bottled water, and interactive flat-screen TVs, though the welcome Max Brenner chocolate bars here are a thoughtful extra. Deluxe Rooms tend to stick with a grayscale color scheme with gray sofa beds, big white beds, and vintage black-and-white photos on the walls. Fun pops of color line the interior of rooms' black lacquer wardrobes and service closets. Bathrooms are slightly snug but modern, with gray stone tile throughout and shower/tub combos featuring rainfall showerheads and rectangular tubs. Deluxe Balcony with Partial Sea View units are much roomier and have separated tubs and showers. The Superior Suite is a touch smaller than the Deluxe Balcony, but it has a separate living room with a wet bar kitchenette, two LCD flat-screen TVs, and charcoal color scheme. Executive Suites are large with tons of breathing room for two guests, though the large beds take up most of the space in the bedrooms. These rooms have open walk-in closets, dining tables for four with croc skin chairs, and slick black glass kitchenette areas with ample counter space, larger mini-fridges with freezers, and microwaves. They also feature top-loading laptop safes with interior charging capabilities. Some come with partial sea views. If the hotel's Two Bedroom Suites for four aren't big enough, the building next door has three-bedroom apartment-style units that sleep up to eight, with full kitchens and washing machines. Or, there's the Beach Penthouse that also has a dryer, large outdoor deck and balcony, private whirlpool, and a free parking space. Better yet is the hotel's all-white Presidential Suite—the hotel bills it as the largest of its kind in Israel—which adds a private pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, dry sauna, and humungous deck.  

The Alexander has an impressive 24-hour gym that takes up most of the second floor. With several nooks and crannies filled with up-to-date Cybex and TechnoGym weight and cardio machines, guests will also find rare equipment like squat racks, a punching bag, TRX straps, and a daytime personal trainer on hand. Sharing the second floor is the hotel's luxe and tranquil Japanese-inspired spa treatment area that consists of a handful of massage rooms and a dimly lit relaxation area with loungers, light music, and free hot tea and fresh fruit. One floor down, left of reception, is the bright and small locker room area. Here, guests will find L'Occitane products, rainfall showerheads, robes, and slippers. The spa is open to the public and guests receive a 20 percent discount on treatments. The terrace of the rooftop Celia Restaurant has a gorgeous wraparound view that overlooks both the beach and city. While there are a few tables inside near the breakfast buffet area, most of the seating is located outside on the covered patio or open terrace on either contemporary cushioned patio furniture or at bistro-style high tops. There's also a bar that slings drinks and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Breakfast is free and served buffet-style, and it includes eggs and fresh fruit. The buffet is small, but has a good quality selection and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. After breakfast the restaurant serves an a la carte lunch and dinner menu with a Mediterranean flare. Guests who take advantage of the hotel's half-board option receive vouchers for local restaurants. Downstairs in the library lounge, the hotel has an attractive lobby bar with green-and-tan leather seating, polished marble floors, and a focus on whiskeys, though it was poorly stocked during our stay. There is no pool, though during our 2017 visit there were talks of adding an indoor pool behind reception. Until then, guests receive free entrance to the public pool just a 10-minute walk down the street. Other freebies include fast Wi-Fi, free international and local calls from the 24-hour computer room, and baby amenities like beds, food, and bottles on request. A stylish but simple conference room is available with space for up to 40 people, a Nespresso machine, and AV equipment. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that while the hotel has elevators, they are not large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.