Whenever I scout a big city, I always stay at the hotel that feels more like the home of my chic relative rather then a business establishment. My days are non-stop and incredibly intense so there is something so comforting about “coming home” at the end of long day. The staff knows you by name, the bartender knows your drink of choice and everything one could need is within the hotel walls. The Norman was the perfect choice for my recent long weekend this past March in Tel Aviv. Not only was I greeted by their longtime GM Yaron Liberman on the front lawn upon arrival (okay, yes, he does do this with every single guest who checks into his hotel, but… I still felt special) the location put me in the heart of Rothschild Blvd, just steps away from some of the city’s best dining, bars, museums and shops. Here is my take on The Norman xx Elisa

ACCOMODATIONS

ROOMS: 50 including 20 suites that are housed between two buildings, only 30 steps apart from one another. The contemporary style rooms and suites all feature beautiful hardwood floors, soft color palette tones and subtle elegant design motifs with a mid-century opulence twist.

WHAT TO BOOK: I loved the Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Rooms on the 2nd floor of the main building for shorter stays and The Suites, preferable The King Albert which comes with a balcony in building 2 for longer stays.

WHAT TO SKIP: The Classic Rooms (entry level) in the main building felt a bit too small and I personally did not like having to cut through Dining Restaurant on the 3rd floor in the main building in order to access 3rd floor guest rooms.

DINING

Alena is located on the ground floor of the main building, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an alfresco experience on the adjoining terrace. The menu is uncomplicated, clean Mediterranean cuisine. Breakfast, served daily is an abundant feast ( their French toast is famous in the city) while lunch is more of a business scene that turns into an elegant dinner option later in the evening.

On the third floor, Dinings Restaurant is open 7 days a week for dinner with lunch offered on the weekends. The menu is traditional Izakaya-style Japanese shared plates with a mix of modern European cuisine.

NOTES: I rarely eat breakfast but it was impossible to pass up the gorgeous spread at Alena. I simply could not get enough of the tomato and feta frittata and my man was obsessed with their Shakshuka. Normally I would never eat at a city hotel for dinner but Dining ended up being the perfect choice one night after a long day of touring when the thought of venturing out again for Mr. S seemed daunting. We ordered rounds of sake and scored a seat at the bar to watch the sushi chefs do their thing before moving to the patio ( open when the weather permits ) with our cocktail before calling it a night.

THE LIBRARY BAR

The stylish 1940s bar is the heart and soul of The Norman, a place where locals and guests come together to enjoy conversation or a great read from one of the many books displayed throughout. The bar has an extensive cocktail and spirits menu, one of the finest wine lists in Tel Aviv and a special all-day food menu. At night, the bar transforms into a trendy neighborhood lounge.

NOTES: I loved the First Date cocktail from their Norman Signature menu and the wine selection from the Golan Heights area. If all the options throw you, ask to speak to wine genius Shira Tsiddon, The Norman’s award-winning in house Sommelière. P.S. to all the single ladies…there is a reason they have a drink called the First Date Cocktail. The bar is filled with handsome bankers who use the space for business meetings or to unwind after the work day.

WELLNESS

The Spa offers 3 signature massage treatments, a small fitness center with state of the art equipment, private yoga and pilates instruction in either the garden or on the rooftop where there is also an infinity pool and sundeck line area.

NOTES: I was so busy scouting the city that I did not have time to try the jet lag massage treatment that every client raves about. I did manage however to hit up the rooftop pool for some sun and Rose late in the day #priorities When the weather is warm, the rooftop fills fast so one potentially runs the risk of waiting for a chair.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

MAPPS X THE NORMAN : Special nightly rates, a complimentary upgrade subject to availability and daily breakfast at Alena.

GETTING HERE: 25 minutes by car from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: March -October.

IDEAL GUEST: One who prefers small hotels that have a private club atmosphere and is preferably traveling without children.

P.S. Tel Aviv is the South Beach of The Middle East but the dress code is surprisingly super casual and the beach does not have an elegant set up. Pack cool, comfortable street wear which includes your shoes as well since many of the streets are cobblestone and you will be doing a lot of walking. Do not venture out for dinner without a reservation, especially in high season as the hotspots such as Abraxus and Kitchen fill up fast. Airport security is no joke so having VIP fast track is essential or one oculd expect 2 hours to get through arrivals and three hours for departures. While the city is an easy long weekend add on to most Middle East destinations, we prefer it to be a three night entry into a 7-10 day journey through the bucket list country of Israel. Email info@mappstravel.com to start planning.

A very special thank you to GM Yaron Liberman and his team for taking such incredible care of us.