You don’t feel as if you’re in a beach hotel at The Norman Tel Aviv. You almost don’t feel as though you’re in Tel Aviv at all. The vibe in the two elegant, primrose-coloured, 1920s Bauhaus buildings in which the Norman Hotel and Norman Suites sit, is chic and understated luxe
On a quiet street, opposite a couple of trendy restaurants, the hotel appears unassuming and low key. Sure, there are porters waiting to whisk your bags away but they wear huge smiles and, apart from the hotel name plate on the wall, are the only sign on the street of the five-star hotel behind those walls.
I arrived via the street entrance, but for those preferring a little discretion — former guests include celebrities Natalie Portman, Nick Cave and Sean Penn — an underground garage allows them to arrive away from prying eyes.
Both buildings were restored in 2014, the Norman Hotel with its 30 double bedrooms and next door, the 20 Norman Suites. Immaculately designed with every mod con, there’s a heavy stylistic nod to the past.
Each bedroom has a smattering of Israeli artwork peppering the walls and each suite has its own style. Regulars request their favourite room. At ground level, the Library Bar has a 1940s feel with its retro-looking, metal-trimmed bar and posters.
Hallways feel bright and modern with lots of airy glass. On the rooftop, an infinity pool with city views and the Med in the distance is lined with white parasols and squishy-cushioned wooden sun loungers.
I felt pampered from the minute I arrived. My mattress was princess-squidgy and a Nespresso machine in my room had a rainbow of coloured capsules to pick from.
No cardboard folder for Norman room keys either. These key cards are housed in special leather wallets, matching that on the covers on the iPads in each room — which themselves replace old-fashioned guest information folders.
Technology abounds. Flailing around in the middle of the night to turn on a light, I discovered all I had to do was wave my hand in front of the panel for the whole thing to glow gently, allowing me to find my way.
Despite the hotel being at least 80% occupied most of the year, it didn’t feel crowded. The only pinch point came when I arrived poolside, to find all sunbeds occupied.
A lifeguard operating a cab rank system, ushered us to our own beds after 30 minutes or so, which we’d occupied bobbing in the pool. Children are also allowed, so be prepared for your calm to be interrupted from time to time.
During my two-night stay, I managed to eat in both of the hotel’s top-rated restaurants.
At street level, in a peaceful courtyard Barak Aharoni’s Alena serves fresh seasonal dishes with an Israeli/Mediterranean twist, while at roof level, the Israeli outpost of London restaurant, Dinings serves sushi like I’d never eaten before with a series of new tastes and flavours bearing no resemblance to the sticky discs of rice and mild-flavoured fish served in most sushi bars.
It’s the service that stood out. Staff consistently managed to anticipate my every move. A cold bottle of water handed to me by reception staff as I left for an early morning walk around the neighbourhood and ready smiles from every member of staff I encountered.
Manager Yaron Lieberman, who trained in Europe and the US, has ensured those service standards to a nation not usually credited with a natural aptitude for this industry.
A break at The Norman may not be beachside, but it’s a very classy way of enjoying all the city of Tel Aviv has to offer.
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