If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Tel Aviv with a spa and a hammam, Elkonin Hotel offers something no new build can: a house that was already standing when the city was just beginning. It sits at the entrance to Neve Tzedek, in a preserved building from 1913, and inside it you will find Spa by Clarins, a hammam and a quiet rest lounge. It makes sense to start with the house, and then move on to the moments it holds.
Built in 1913 by Malka and Menachem Elkonin
Malka and Menachem Elkonin founded the hotel in 1913, and it still carries their name. It was the first hotel in Tel Aviv, in a city that was only starting to take shape, on a spot that grew into part of the fabric of Neve Tzedek and of young Tel Aviv.
Its guests included figures such as Albert Einstein and David Ben-Gurion. That is worth pausing on: the building you walk into today is the one that hosted them, not a reconstruction and not a copy.
- 1913: Malka and Menachem Elkonin open the hotel, the first in Tel Aviv
- Over the years: guests include Albert Einstein and David Ben-Gurion
- 2022: after renovation, the hotel reopens
The founders are not confined to the history books. Menachem Suite is named for the original founder and Malka Suite for his wife, so a night in either is, in a small way, a night in the owners’ house.
How an old building keeps living: preservation, design and MGallery
After renovation, the hotel reopened in 2022. The building keeps its architectural details and its connection to the streets around it, and the preservation was meant to let history continue to live inside a contemporary stay. It is not a set piece from another era. It is a house that stayed a house.
Designer Adriana Shor planned and styled every room and suite. The result blends European elegance, local design and Tel Aviv character, and the hotel belongs to the MGallery collection of Accor. The rooms, the public spaces and the rooftop form one continuous line between the historic house and the modern city, and you feel it simply by walking from your room up to the roof.
44 rooms and suites across two buildings
The hotel has 44 rooms and suites. Superior rooms are in the historic building and in the glass tower, so the first choice you make is whether to sleep among older walls or higher up. Views run either to the city or to the Mediterranean.
For couples who want a view, the Executive sea view room is about 25 sqm with a king-size bed for 2 guests. Malka Suite, about 38 sqm, is on the top floor of the glass building and looks out to the sea; it is made for 3 guests. Menachem Suite, about 33 sqm, hosts up to 3 adults or a couple with 2 children.
Inside, you will find free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a safe, a smart TV, a minibar, a Nespresso machine and a complimentary coffee and tea set. There is a rain shower and there are bathrobes, and together they make it easy to begin the morning without hurrying.
A luxury hotel in Tel Aviv with a spa and a hammam: Spa by Clarins
The hotel is home to the Clarins spa, the first of its kind in Israel, offering treatments under the name Spa by Clarins. It has five treatment rooms, one of them a couples room, and two places made for slowing down: a quiet rest lounge and a hammam. The spa is open to hotel guests and to the public alike, so you do not need to be staying here to book an hour of pampering.
The menu includes facials of 30 or 60 minutes, a 60-minute body peeling and massages of 60 to 90 minutes. The hammam is open every day from 10:00 to 16:00. For the spa’s own opening hours and availability on the day you have in mind, call 03-5484023.
A natural order for the afternoon: treatment first, then the hammam, then a stretch in the lounge. Calm, tranquility and a little indulgence, in the heart of Tel Aviv, a short lift ride from your room.
Two small practical points. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your treatment, since a late arrival does not extend the session. A treatment cancelled less than 24 hours before its time is charged in full, with no refund.
The rooftop pool, with the sea ahead
On the roof is an infinity pool facing the Mediterranean, with a view across Tel Aviv. It is also open under a Day Pass, so a visit does not require a room booking. If you prefer to move in another way, the hotel has a gym.
After a warm hammam, the roof is the other end of the same day: water, open air and a long horizon. There is no need for a plan. Staying put is enough.
A slow breakfast and dinner on the ground floor
The hotel is kosher and has a kosher dairy chef restaurant. Breakfast is served at an unhurried pace: a basket of house-baked breads and pastries, vegetables, dips, coffee and/or juice of your choice, and a main dish chosen from the selection. It runs Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 to 10:30, on Friday from 7:30 to 11:00 and on Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00. On Saturday it takes the form of a rich buffet of dishes and drinks prepared in advance.
On the ground floor you will find Rova Alef, led by chef Eviatar Malka, serving dinner Sunday to Thursday from 18:00. It is a fitting close to a day that began at the spa and passed through the roof.
Neve Tzedek at the door, and what to know before arriving
Neve Tzedek is a neighbourhood of quiet alleys, restored stone houses, galleries and cafes. After the spa you can take an easy walk through it, with no destination and no watch. It closes a small circle: from the historic house to the neighbourhood around it, and back again.
- Reception service 24/7
- Airport shuttles
- A gym
- Private and business events
- A protected space on site
Rates and offers change from season to season, so the most reliable way to see current prices is to check with Elkonintelaviv directly.
Frequently asked questions
Does Elkonin Hotel in Tel Aviv have a spa and a hammam?
Yes. Elkonin Hotel, at the entrance to Neve Tzedek in Tel Aviv, houses the Clarins spa, the first in Israel, with five treatment rooms, a quiet rest lounge and a hammam. The spa is open to hotel guests and to the public. To reach the spa, call 03-5484023.
Can couples book a treatment together at the Elkonin spa?
Yes, one of the five treatment rooms is a couples room. Because there is only one, it is wise to arrange your treatment in advance by phoning 03-5484023, especially on weekends and holidays.
What should I know about arrival and cancellation for spa treatments?
Arrive at least 10 minutes before your treatment starts. A late arrival does not earn back the lost time. A treatment cancelled less than 24 hours before its scheduled time is charged in full, with no refund.
What does breakfast at Elkonin Hotel include, and is the hotel kosher?
The hotel is kosher. Breakfast includes a basket of house-baked breads and pastries, vegetables, dips, coffee and/or juice of your choice and a main dish from the selection. It is served Sunday to Thursday 7:30 to 10:30, Friday until 11:00, and on Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 as a buffet.
Is Elkonin Hotel a good choice for a romantic weekend for two in Tel Aviv?
It has several things couples look for. The Executive sea view room is about 25 sqm with a king-size bed for 2 guests, the spa has a couples treatment room and a hammam, and the roof has an infinity pool facing the Mediterranean. Dinner is served at Rova Alef, Sunday to Thursday from 18:00.
Does Elkonin Hotel have accessible rooms, and who handles accessibility questions?
The hotel has accessible rooms, and the reservations department can give details. An accessible entrance is on Yehoshua Telomi Street. Accessibility coordinator Eva Ben Shushan can be reached at 03-5484011 for requests, faults and suggestions for improvement.