Galileo Hotel

Galileo Hotel is a small property, with only a reception area and second-floor terrace for public space, but guests don't stay here for the atmosphere. In a city of expensive hotels, the Galileo is a reliable and affordable place to lay your head. While it's set on a somewhat neglected side street, the hotel's overall location is fantastic, giving guests easy walking access to top sights.  

From the street, the hotel is marked via a black awning with simple white lettering. Walking through the wooden doors, guests are greeted by a slim reception area with a small coffee and tea station. Rooms are located on the second and third floors, accessed via a dated, carpeted stairway. Walls are decorated with inexpensive framed reproduction prints of famous artworks, like Van Gogh's sunflowers, but they do little to cheer up the atmosphere. The hotel tends to attract budget-minded tourists looking for basic accommodations but a great location.  

Galileo Hotel has an excellent location in the center of Tel Aviv. Just three blocks from the bustling Magen David Square, guests are within a few minutes' walk from the popular King George Street, Shenkin Street, Carmel Market, and Dizengoff Street. It's easy to grab public buses and taxis from off the main drag of Allenby Street, and the golden sand shores of Jerusalem Beach are only a seven-minute walk west. This area is ideal for walkers and folks traveling without a car, and guests have their pick of several shops, restaurants, and bars. 

• Four-minute walk to Carmel Market
• Five-minute walk to Ben Yehuda Street
• Seven-minute walk to the beachfront boardwalk
• 11-minute walk to Rabin Square
• 12-minute walk to Dizengoff Street
• 14-minute walk to Rothschild Boulevard
• 10-minute drive to Old Jaffa 
• 11-minute drive to Tel Aviv Port
• 11-minute drive to Sarona Market

Galileo Hotel only has 10 rooms, though there are four different categories available. Single rooms are tiny with just enough space for single beds and side tables. Doubles and Twins are the same size, with either two separated twin beds or two twins pushed together. These rooms also have wardrobes and side chairs, while Superior Rooms are slightly larger and come with furnished balconies. All units have dated decor and mismatched wood furniture, strong but noisy old AC units, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, kettles, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms contain shower/tub combos, but they're missing toiletries and only have bar soap. Superior Rooms swap out the shower/tub combos in standard rooms for large hydromassage tubs with handheld showerheads. Some past guests have reported that units smell musty, and noise and cigarette smoke from the bar below may be a problem. 

Feature-wise, you get what you pay for at the Galileo Hotel. A large rooftop terrace that stays open 24/7 is the highlight, outfitted with tile and astroturf and a decent amount of contemporary wicker couches and loungers. The no-frills property lacks breakfast options, though free tea and coffee is available at reception. There's a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi throughout, but no pets are allowed.