The Norman Tel Aviv

Character and identity

Set across two restored 1920s mansions in the heart of the White City (a UNESCO Bauhaus quarter), The Norman pairs art deco bones with quietly contemporary interiors, citrus-lined garden courtyards and a rooftop infinity pool reserved for guests. Art runs through the public spaces, with paintings, sculpture and photography curated to the point that an art concierge can sell you the piece on the wall. Dining is the other anchor: Alena delivers Mediterranean cooking from chef Barak Aharoni plus a serious breakfast, while Dinings turns out some of the city's best sushi. The Library Bar handles long evenings.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this hotel apart is the rare combination of two genuinely good restaurants, a heritage Bauhaus setting, and a wellness and art programme that actually has depth, all on a boutique scale. Spend the money if you want to eat, walk and absorb the city rather than camp at the beach. Garden or courtyard-facing rooms are the ones to request; shoulder season keeps the rooftop usable without summer crowds.