Is Tel Aviv’s Drisco Hotel worth the price?

However, it is not only what you see that engages the senses. A subtle, clean, and fresh scent filled the air, accompanying guests from the lobby through the hallways and into the rooms. While it is hard to define or pinpoint the exact scent, it integrated well with the hotel's aesthetic, adding to the refined and luxurious feeling that accompanies a stay there.

Perhaps this is the secret of the Drisco’s charm: It does not attempt to impress with flashy grandeur, but rather builds its experience from a series of details, from the historic architecture and design, through the scent and cleanliness, to the service and small touches that together create a feeling of a place that is much more than just another city hotel.

We stayed at the Drisco Hotel, which is housed in two historic buildings in a prime location within walking distance of the sea, the flea market, and Levinsky Market. In the past, these buildings housed the Jerusalem Hotel, considered the first luxury hotel built outside the walls of Jaffa. The original structure was established in 1866 by the American brothers John and George Drisco, and was later sold and converted into the Jerusalem Hotel. Following years of neglect, preservation and restoration work began in 2006 and spanned more than a decade, leading to the hotel's reopening in 2018 under the name The Drisco.

For those seeking a relaxed vacation with good food, fine wine, attentive service, and a bit of quiet amid the urban hustle, the Drisco could certainly be a suitable choice.

The hotel features 42 rooms and suites, designed with understated elegance. The design is not loud, blending seamlessly with the historic character of the building. As mentioned, one of the first things that caught our attention was the scent. It is hard to explain precisely what it was, but it conveyed cleanliness, freshness, and a sense of luxury. It was a unique fragrance that enfolded the hallways and rooms, becoming, for me, an integral part of the experience.

For my meal, I ordered a fillet steak that was cooked to precision, and I also sampled a ricotta-stuffed agnolotti dish that was simply wonderful.

To start, we shared a fresh leaf salad, a milk bread roll, and one of my personal favorites of the meal, the salmorejo: Fire-roasted tomatoes and eggplant, smoked stracciatella, and a Jerusalem bagel. This was a unique, interesting dish that I consider a must-try.

Full disclosure: I am not a fan of raw fish. My partner, on the other hand, is very fond of the genre and highlighted the fish tartare dish as the peak of the meal. According to him, the combination with the olive oil foam gave the dish a distinct, special aroma.

As for the desserts, my recommendation is to go for the flan. The vanilla flavors were strong and pronounced, and it was fresh and sweet in just the right measure. To be frank, we connected less with the other desserts we ordered.

We also ate breakfast at the restaurant. In the morning, guests are offered a main dish selected from a menu, while a vegetable salad, cheeses, salmon or bonito fish, and egg salad are served to the table. In the center of the dining room is a buffet with freshly squeezed juices, breads, pastries, and cereal.

Since the weather permitted, we chose to sit in the outdoor courtyard. The atmosphere there was pastoral and pleasant, and the morning air only enhanced the experience. I ordered the avocado toast topped with a fried egg, which was excellent.

Here too, regarding the sweet pastries and options, we were less enthusiastic. The selection was not particularly large, and I personally found it difficult to find something I truly connected with.

This, perhaps, is what best represents the Drisco: It manages to convey a feeling of a vacation and detachment, even though you are right in the heart of Tel Aviv.

On weekends, the hotel offers guided tours around the American-German Colony led by Dr. Yosefa Eisenberg, an expert on the colony and its unique architectural and design elements. The tours are provided to hotel guests free of charge, subject to advance registration at the reception desk.

During the tour, participants are introduced to the story of the colony and several of its central sites, including Emmanuel House, Emmanuel Church, and the Maine Friendship House.

What we liked less was the parking arrangement. Parking is available to hotel guests, but the cost is NIS 120 per 24 hours, an amount that definitely adds to the overall cost of the vacation.

However, guests do not have to eat at the hotel restaurant or park on the premises. For those looking to reduce stay costs, Jaffa is within walking distance of the hotel and offers a variety of pleasant restaurants where dinner reservations can be made. On the other hand, dinner at the George & John chef restaurant is a culinary experience in its own right, and for those whose budget allows, I definitely recommend trying it.

If you are looking for a luxury vacation in the heart of Tel Aviv, one that allows you to enjoy the city and its energy while returning at the end of the day to a quiet, pleasant, and pastoral corner, the Drisco Hotel is certainly worth considering. While it is not a cheap vacation, the feeling we received is that there is value for the price, which is reflected in the service, the quality of the ingredients at the restaurant, the atmosphere, and the design.

It is clear that great thought was invested in every detail, from the food and cleanliness to the small touches that make a difference. Starting from the scent that greets guests, through the historic structure and design, to the glass of wine waiting on the terrace in the afternoon, the Drisco attempts to create a complete experience rather than merely a place to sleep.

Ultimately, this is not a hotel one visits simply to tick off a list of attractions. It is a hotel you visit to slow down, enjoy the historic building, the food, the wine, the service, and the quiet, and then venture out on foot to Jaffa or Tel Aviv whenever you feel like it. For those seeking that combination of an urban vacation with a sense of escape, tranquility, and a touch of another world, the Drisco could certainly be a great fit.