Tel Aviv is where I like to live.
I have a soft spot for this city, even though I have been around the world many times. Tel Aviv was the location of my first international trip when I was a child.
The city's vibrant culture, bustling oceanside promenade and delicious Middle Eastern dining scene keep me coming back.
The brand-new David Kempinski hotel is one of the reasons to return to Tel Aviv.
The opening of the hotel has been a long time coming and has been eagerly anticipated by travelers.
The new tower is perfect for the skyline. The hotel is the crown jewel of the city.
The bad news is that there is no easy way to redeem points at the David Kempinski.
The hotel is affiliated with the brand's Discovery rewards program, which awards between 4% and 7% of your eligible spending as what is called Discovery Dollars. Future stays can be used for these credits.
People pay cash for stays at the Kempinski. During some of the busiest weeks of the year, rates can go as high as $1,000 a night.
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I usually make my booking through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts portal to get more bang for my buck.
Booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts will give you a number of additional benefits, such as a $100 resort credit, breakfast for two, and more. When booking directly with the hotel, the Amex rates usually match the best available rate.
The hotel is trying to join the FHR collection, though it hasn't yet had a chance to join the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. Since the hotel is part of the network, I would recommend booking through a travel agent.
If you book that way, you will get the same benefits as with the Amex bundle, but late checkout isn't guaranteed.
In my case, I booked a grand deluxe room for two nights at an average daily rate of $895 through a travel agent that is affiliated with the Virtuoso travel network. Two categories are above the entry level superior room.
I was charged $920 for the first night and $870 for the second, but they didn't charge taxes. Locals and those on long-term visas will have to pay an additional tax. No resort or amenity fees are charged by the Kempinski.
It's possible to make up for the blow to your wallet by booking your stay using a flexible rewards currency, such as booking through the Chase travel portal and redeeming Ultimate rewards points towards the stay. Staying here is costly.
The Kempinski's location is the best of all the hotels in Tel Aviv.
Its oceanfront location in the heart of the city is unbeatable, and you can wake up within steps of the famous Shlomo Lahat promenade.
The Kempinski is about 25 minutes from Ben Gurion Airport. You can't get from the airport to the hotel using public transportation.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The Kempinski is close to Jaffa, which is home to Marriott's The Jaffa hotel and The Setai hotel. The Hyatt-affiliated Norman hotel is located on a quiet side street deeper into the city than the beachfront hotel.
The town of Jaffa is a bit secluded from the rest of Tel Aviv and requires a 30 minute walk or 10 minute cab ride each way to get to the beach or downtown attractions.
The Florentin and Nachalat Binyamin neighborhoods are among the most popular dining and entertainment destinations in Tel Aviv.
If you want to get around, I would suggest walking or using taxis. The Kempinski charges $50 for an overnight stay in the underground garage, which is a lot more expensive than parking in the city.
I arrived at the Kempinski on a Saturday evening during the busy holiday season in Israel.
A bellhop wearing a top hat welcomed my wife and me to the hotel and offered to help with our bags. Since we only traveled with carry-ons, we declined.
The lobby of the hotel was the first sign that it was different from other hotels in Tel Aviv.
The reception area has a pop of color thanks to the fresh purple flowers on the check-in desks.
The receptionist processed our check-in. She apologized for not being able to upgrade us, and confirmed that we would get our benefits. She said that the hotel was full.
We had the keys and were ready to go up to the 16th floor.
We waited more than five minutes for the elevator multiple times and it took us just seconds to catch a ride up.
During the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, the hotel places two elevators on a mode in which they stop on every floor for 15 seconds.
We heard people complain about the wait, but it wasn't clear what was happening.
I have never seen a better view of Tel Aviv from an elevator in the city.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There are 250 rooms at the Kempinski hotel. It's convenient to walk to the elevator on most floors.
There is a theoretical downside to this layout. We weren't bothered by any noise from the elevator or waiting guests while we were in our room
I could tell the Kempinski was different from other places I've seen in Tel Aviv because of the furnishings and the size of the bathroom.
You don't need to wake up in the morning because of the luxurious design of the bathroom and the king-size bed.
The Kempinski has an entry level superior room that is 15% larger than the grand deluxe room.
There was a closet on one side of the hallway and a mirror on the other side that made the room even larger.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There was a luggage rack in the bedroom that was just inside the closet.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
It was easy to catch up on work during the day and at night thanks to the wood-grain desk, comfortable armchair and large lamp. The reclining chair in the corner of the room was quite comfortable to sit in.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The king bed was flanked on each side by a nightstand and stylish sconces, which gave the room a decidedly modern look.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Universal power outlets were not modern for a new hotel. I was surprised that the outlets only accepted European shaped plugs.
The nightstand had a charging port, but I would have preferred a port that was compatible with the new standard.
The northeast and southeast corners of the floor plan are where the grand rooms are located.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
It was located in the southeast corner, and it had a panoramic view of Tel Aviv and the beach.
There was a highlight in the room. A marble-tiled bathroom was revealed when the double doors were opened.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The wood-trim finishes contrasted nicely with the white marble walls and floors and the thick and oversized towels and bathrobes were among the plushest I have used in all my travels.
The Kempinski logo was embroidered on the bath mat.
The toilet was separated from the rest of the bathroom by a frosted glass door.
The walk-in shower had both rain and handheld water heads.
The brand's signature orange-and-bergamot fragrance was nowhere to be found while I was in the bathroom.
The room was very nice in Tel Aviv. It was just as luxurious as a brand-new luxury hotel would be.
The Kempinski has a lot of things to offer.
The largest outdoor terrace on the fifth floor has a pool in the center. The pool is heated year-round, and it was warm when the pool was shaded and wet in the afternoon.
The small children's pool was popular with families travelling with young children.
The pool area was much more busy in the afternoons than it was in the mornings.
There is a lot of seating around the pool. The pool attendants were happy to help set up chairs for us, and most of the time have umbrellas.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
When the pool area opened to reserve seats, it wasn't crowded enough for anyone to show up.
There is a row of cabanas near the pool deck that are available on a first come, first serve basis.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The shaded area is on the pool deck. If you stay until the end of the day, you will have a front-row view of sunset, which is great if you want to avoid the sun.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
During the day and during golden hour, the views from the pool deck are amazing. If you stay at the Kempinski, you can walk to the beach and see the Mediterranean Sea.
The Kempinski doesn't have a private area on the beach. Renting an umbrella and chairs at the beach is easy. Being a Kempinski guest won't entitle you to preferential seating.
The spa and gym can be found below the lobby.
All hotel guests can use the Okoa spa and each locker room has a sauna and steam room. Whether or not you get a treatment, the relaxation room is open.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
A 70 minute massage can be had for $200.
There is a lot of free weights and weight machines at the gym.
I think there are too many treadmills and ellipticals. There were a lot of treadmills available when I used the gym.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There is no view from the gym, but the mirrors lining the wall change the background color.
Some visitors to hotels are in for a special treat. The Kempinski has an executive lounge on the 22nd floor. I went to the lounge to take pictures and inquire about the experience.
I didn't have to pay anything for my 10-minute tour because we didn't have lounge access. Lounge access is included in some rooms.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
It didn't take long for me to understand why so many people like this lounge. The ceilings and windows gave the space a lot of natural light.
The outdoor deck facing the Mediterranean Sea was beautiful and the lounge furnishings were beautiful. It was a perfect place to relax.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There are both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks in the lounge access.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Cloud51 will be located on the hotel's roof and will be a premium experience. The lounge restaurant and bar will be open during the day for guests who stay in signature suites. It will turn into a dining bar at night.
While the Kempinski will appeal to tourists looking for a top-tier place to stay in Tel Aviv, the Kempinski is also hoping to position itself as the perfect place to hold meetings and conferences.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The conference rooms at the hotel are located below the lobby on the second floor. A group of employees from Jeffries attended a conference in the hotel hosted by Israeli companies.
The Kempinski's food and beverage offerings were just as good as Israel's.
Guests who stay at a hotel on a bed-and-breakfast rate are invited to the Sereia restaurant each morning for a signature Israeli buffet.
Those who choose to stay in a hotel for breakfast will be charged roughly $50 per person.
The Kempinski's breakfast is one of the best I've ever eaten.
There is a table filled with baked goods as you enter the restaurant. Fruits, eggs, waffles, cheese, salads, fish, dried fruits, cereals, and so much more can be found at other stations.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
You can get a sense of the breakfast offerings by looking at the pictures. Middle Eastern salads, freshly prepared smoked salmon and vanilla babka bread were some of the highlights.
During weekdays and on weekends, the buffet is open until 10:30 a.m. There are a lot of seating options in the restaurant and on the shaded outdoor deck.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
We didn't have a chance to eat at the Sereia restaurant during the week and on the Sabbath. Grouper souvlaki is on the seafood-laden menu.
Light bites can be grabbed from the restaurant bar while you are in the lobby.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The Common bar is located on the lobby level and is open from 6 to 10. There are a variety of seating options at the bar that will suit all moods. The best place for families and people looking to catch up on conversation is the terrace, while the indoor seats are better for people who prefer a more lively atmosphere.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
If you want a separate cigar bar, there is one.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
We tried the Juarez Kick, the Daffodil martini, and the popcorn chicken for dinner, and we liked them all. The food was delicious and hit the spot as a fancy bar food.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Lunch can be ordered from the bar located on the pool terrace or from the pool. The Mediterranean mezze that featured a sampling of dips with pita bread and the classic burger was a hit with other guests.
We wanted to eat our meals nearby instead of sitting in the room because room service is available 24/7. Tel Aviv's food scene is too good to pass up.
If you want a relaxing night in, I would recommend ordering delivery through the app. You will find something for every craving.
The hotel's kitchens are kosher. You won't find bacon on the breakfast buffet or a cheeseburger on the dinner menu because of that. The Kempinski isn't one of the places to find these items.
Even if you don't stay at the Kempinski, you'll want to check out some of the hotel's top-notch food and beverage outlets.
Tel Aviv's cuisine has always been one of my favorites, but the Kempinksi's dining options combine delicious food with an upscale setting. What more would you like?
The service at the Kempinski was good.
At the reception and concierge desks, everyone was friendly and helpful, and our waiter at breakfast was so nice that he couldn't have been nicer.
The housekeeping team did a great job refreshing our room twice a day and reset it back to where we found it when we checked in.
Even the Kempinski had some service pitfalls, even though it offered luxurious physical spaces.
After placing our order at the Common bar, we ordered drinks which were delivered shortly after. We ordered some food and asked where they were after 20 minutes.
The waitress came back with an interesting answer after apologizing and saying she would check on it. You ordered the iPad 21 minutes ago. She said that it wasn't long for Appetizers.
The way in which the waitress came back to us was accusatory and left a bad taste in my mouth.
The response would have been similar at a similar priced resort.
My wife and I left on our own. My wife was going back to New York after I went to Abu Dhabi to attend an event.
I told the receptionist at 2:30 a.m. that my wife was going to check out for me later in the day. My wife sent me a text at 3 a.m. saying that the hotel had called the room three times and told me I didn't pay the bill.
The Kempinski still has some work to do to iron out its service even though it was an isolated misunderstanding.
The hottest new hotel in Tel Aviv is about to become one of the city's finest. The David Kempinski has everything from the rooms to the dining options.
The guest rooms at the hotel are some of the nicer in the city.
The pool and outdoor terrace are some of the best places to relax in the Mediterranean.
The Kempinski's dining choices are some of the best in town.
The David Kempinski is in a league of its own in Tel Aviv and the prices reflect that.
The David Kempinski should be on your itinerary if you want to spend a lot of money on your Israel vacation.
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