It’s Travel Tuesday and today we land in Zichron Ya’akov. Where? Yeah we had to look at the map too! This small town in Israel, just north of Tel Aviv is at the rim of Mount Carmel’s ridge.
Housed in a building originally designed as a sanitarium in 1968 by the late Israeli architect Jacob Rechter, Elma (an acronym for Elstein Music & Art) embodies the vision of Lily Elstein, an art collector and patron of young artists. Built for the Mivtahim Fund of the Histadrut Labor Federation the popularity and prestige waned for a building that won Rechter the Israel Prize for Architecture. Attempts to operate the building as a hotel for the general public failed, and the building was put up for sale by tender.
Despite living in Tel Aviv for many years, Elstein still maintained strong links to her hometown of Zichron Ya-akov and when she heard the deserted structure faced demolition, she decided to not only save it but convert it into an international arts complex and luxury hotel.
The ultra-modern 95-room structure that snakes along a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean is once again one of the most beautiful architectural works in Israel. Set over 28 acres of open space, including open areas and natural forests, some of which have been declared a national park, it’s situated in an elevated position which allows for breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
The tender aroused considerable interest among Israel’s large construction companies, which would have liked to build a residential neighborhood on the site. In the end Elstein, paid double the $10 million price tag and the reno was done by Nitzan Inbar Projects Management.
Elstein, an avid art collector and a member of the board at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, rolled a cultural center and design hotel into one. It’s not just a place with a notable collection of paintings and sculpture, rather includes a pair of state-of-the-art concert halls, two galleries dedicated to the visual arts, four artists in residency, and a roster of classes led by dancers, musicians, actors and writers. The culture centre (below) is the heart of the hotel: acoustic engineering specialists Arup and Artec designed the 450-seat Alon concert hall, which boasts a unique pipe organ, built by Orgelbau Klais in Germany, and two Steinway Concert Grand Model D pianos.
The concert line up is unparalleled. Imagine a place as uplifting for the soul as it is relaxing for the body (yes you are still at the same hotel!)
This luxury hotel was restructured to create 38 guest rooms. A group of 22 cottages were also added as a separate ‘neighbourhood’.
Inside it’s contemporary minimalism at best. We can’t get enough of the Giraffe like pattern on the floor, the high gloss sheen to the desk and the natural light bouncing around to create even more pattern in the room.
And wandering through this architectural abyss of staircases and hallways. The mix of lines, concrete, wood and glass is stunning.
I mean look at how insanely amazing this hall is – if these walls could only talk!
Imagine being able to take 10 minutes to kick back here
…or here!
For those who are staying and not just touring, you’ll find yourself in a sleek room drenched with sunshine. The décor is serenely modern, with a backdrop of blonde wood and crisp white accented with hues of palm-tree green and Mediterranean blue in boldly patterned rugs and pillows.
Standard rooms are located inside the main building, each with a private balcony or terrace with mesmerizing Mediterranean views. All suites come loaded with high-tech amenities are in keeping with Israel’s status as a technology hub.
Considerably more lavish suites, located within a series of freestanding cottages, feature dining rooms and marble or tiled patios with outdoor furniture. The best suites are soundproofed and come with iPod docks, in case you’re inspired to get into the spirit of the arts and blast tunes at 2am.
The spa is an oasis from the hectic pace of the modern world with 8 treatment rooms, a hamam turkish bath, the indoor heated pool
… another outdoor pool with shaded kids wading pool (below) and a state of the art fitness center.
Filled with restaurants, bars the dining options are equally awesome
It goes without saying that this masterpiece of design and architecture has understated luxury and comfort at every turn, and provides an experience that pampers the body as it nourishes the spirit. We can’t WAIT to visit – on the list!
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