Torn between the familiarity of a holiday home and the service of a hotel? If so, the construction of the David Promenade Residences will be exciting news. Developers are building two towers on the first line to the sea, one for the Residences and another for a hotel. And those living in the Residences will be able to order almost all the luxuries of the hotel. "This building is really geared for people who want the top of the top," says Eyal Hartogs of Holland Real Estate, exclusive agent for the Residences.
A tunnel will connect the buildings, so residents can order room service, chambermaids and maintenance services. Laundry and dry cleaning will be picked up from apartments and delivered back. They will also receive concierge service. Another tunnel will enable residents to walk straight into the hotel. The Residences will have a communal pool, fitness room and sauna, but residents who want to use the hotel's larger pool or its spa will be able to go there in their bathrobe. It will also provide an express route for residents to the hotel conference rooms or restaurants.
The hotel will carry the prestigious brand of Kempinski, Europe's oldest luxury hotel group. The developer of both the hotel and the Residenc the Nahal Group, owned by entrepreneur Henry Taic, which owns imposing hotels including The David InterContinental in Tel Aviv, The Le Meridien Dead Sea and the Grand Court in Jerusalem.
"Kempinski hotels have won awards all over the world," says Mr Hartogs. "This will be Henry Taic's most luxurious hotel by far and the residents of the David Promenade Residences will enjoy its services."
Builders will break the ground for residences and the hotel later this year or in January 2012 and expect to finish construction in 2015.
The Residences make the most of their beachfront location with floor-to-ceiling windows. They will feature marble flooring in some areas and full wooden flooring in others, electric blinds and eco-friendly air conditioning. Entrance will be through an elegant lobby with a reception.
Larger flats go from 15 to 20 million shekels (around £2.5 million to £3.5 million); smaller ones 4.5 million to 6.5 million shekels (around £775,000 to £1 million). Buyers have the option of combining flats.
Construction has just begun at 10 Herbert Samuel, by the promenade, another development on the first line to the beach that is going for the glass-tastic look with floor-to-ceiling windows. Developer Ofer Investments, one of Israel's largest private groups of companies, describes it as a "very urban building which retains a close dialogue with the sea outside its front door".
There will be 189 sq m townhouse-style"loft apartments" with two balconies totalling 53 sq m and flats of 200 sq m plus a 30 sq m balcony, each "like a villa floating on air". All apartments have a sea-view terrace and are designed with minimal pillars, high ceilings, extra-large spaces and glass walls to lend a sense of freedom.
The building is due to be ready in three years and again, buyers can combine flats. Prices start at £2.2 million. This project includes a rarity on Tel Aviv's shore, a duplex penthouse, over the whole 20th and 21st floors. The penthouse is a massive 668 sq m and has four balconies totalling 116 sq m. The price is £22 million.
The 10 Herbert Samuel homes will be fitted with top-quality flooring, central air conditioning, "smart home" features and green technology. The building will have a lobby with upscale concierge and security and a spa over a whole floor, featuring an indoor pool a children's pool and a fitness room. The company reports that the building is already 50 per cent sold.
Overlooking Herzliya's marina, seven miles north of Tel Aviv, the private holiday homes at The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya are inspired by the luxury marina lifestyle, with terraces giving sweeping views of the Mediterranean. The Ritz-Carlton Residences offer spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom units, duplexes and penthouses, as well as access to five-star amenities including a rooftop pool, spa and fitness centre, Shabbat lifts, kosher restaurant, synagogue and a full management programme.