The Jaffa Hotel : Church That’s Been Transformed Into A Luxury Hotel In Tel Aviv

Jaffa in Tel Aviv has certainly earned a reputation for itself as being the Tel Aviv’s hottest neighbourhood. After a recent revamp this part of the city has seen a new wave of cafés, shops, galleries, bars and luxury hotels. Amongst all the new openings is the stunning The Jaffa Hotel.

The Jaffa Hotel sites on top of a hill overlooking the Jaffa port and the Mediterranean Sea. The location of this hotel also offers the best panoramic of the town. Located just 5 minutes from the beach, the famous flea markets and a plethora of restaurants and cafés, you couldn’t ask for a more ideal location in Tel Aviv.

This luxury hotel in Tel Aviv is set within a restored 19th-century building that was once a monastery and hospital. The restoration of this landmark took almost a decade, but the end result has definitely been worth it! The property is owned by Aby Rosen and with local architect Ramy Gill and British designer John Pawson, they have transformed this neoclassical U-shaped building and set the benchmark in Tel Aviv.

Original facade, arched colonnade as well as raw surfaces have been maintained throughout this luxury hotel. The lobby is a blend of history, art and luxury. It features artwork by Damien Hirst, remains of a 13th-century bastion wall literally run through the lobby and furniture from the local flea markets, that Jaffa is well known for, along with bespoke backgammon tables in the lobby.

With 120 rooms spread over 2 building wings, the historic wing (our favourite) and the newer contemporary wing. In the historic building, the details of the original building have been maintained including stonework dating all the way back to the 12th century and plastered walls have been scraped down to reveal the generations of patina that touch the building’s signage and paint patterned walls.

The rooms in the historic wing feature high vaulted ceilings, dramatic floor-to-ceiling curtains along with all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel. Both the buildings circle around a serene courtyard filled with trees and are connected by the original arched colonnade. Rooms offer views of the town of Jaffa, the courtyard, the pool, and some rooms are even overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

As soon as you enter The Jaffa Hotel it’s like entering a calm oasis and escaping the buzzing town of Jaffa. Enjoy lunch in the open-air courtyard or relax by the pool. The star of The Jaffa hotel is the Chapel Bar. Not only does it offer a one of a kind experience it is also one of the hottest bars in Tel Aviv. What was once a prayer room now nestles a bar underneath the striking vaulted ceilings. The original stained-glass windows have been maintained paired with Cini Boeri Botolo chairs and blush coloured walls offer one of a kind setting for a bar.