One of Israel’s newest major arrivals offers spectacular indoor-outdoor spaces that make the most of the pleasurable climate.

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One of Israel’s newest major hotels carries the name David, so right off the bat, it is instilled with the prestige of a legendary king. And the Kempinski banner stands for a five-star, Swiss-based hospitality group, so when the David Kempinski Tel Aviv launched in spring 2022, it was already primed for exceptional experiences and a lavish lifestyle.

Now, imagine that holiday package in an exciting world capital that flourishes along a sun-baked beach of the Mediterranean Sea. David Kempinski has excellent “haute kosher” cuisine, a fancy whisky and cigar lounge, and the lavish Okōa Spa for the rejuvenation of face, body and maybe even the mind.

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The hotel’s spectacular indoor-outdoor spaces, an avant-garde amalgam of glass and steel, make the most of Tel Aviv’s pleasurable climate. Glass elevators swoosh guests to the supersized pool deck which overlooks the sea, or to the 22nd-floor Horizon Lounge, where an amazing terrace connects guests to the sky and sea.

The 125-year-old Kempinski group operates in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and recently opened in Mexico (but not in the U.S. or Canada), so the cosmopolitan David Tel Aviv draws travellers from around the world. I met guests from Australia, India, Tanzania and France, all visiting Israel for business, sightseeing or family vacations.

The city is a nightlife capital and it’s set to rock with a concert by One Republic, Nov. 8, although Beliebers are crushed that the pop superstar has cancelled his Oct. 13 gig. Reflecting Israel’s leadership in technology, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is exhibiting 40 NFT (digital) works by local and international creators, until Dec 3.

Accommodations: The David Kempinski’s 250 guest rooms and suites are furnished in a contemporary blueprint of understated greys and whites warmed by honey-coloured wood, with the drama of floor-to-ceiling windows. Technology shines in brand-new hotels, and the Kempinski sports the latest in bathroom fixtures, soundproofing and touch-controlled lighting and temperature.

More modern grandeur will unfold soon, including a remarkable three-storey penthouse with its own pool and gym, and 14 Signature Suites with access to a private rooftop pool and a club called Cloud 51.

Dining: Executive chef Mor Cohen oversees two main dining areas plus lounges and a poolside café. The David Kempinski is kosher, so there are separate restaurants for dairy/fish and meat — both gourmet.

Sereia is an airy, fashionable bistro facing the Mediterranean, with a patio yielding gorgeous beach views. The cuisine focuses on fresh fish and vegetables and exceptional wines, including Israeli vintages from the Golan Heights, Galilee and even the Negev Desert.

Choice dinner dishes include tuna sashimi with chili; cauliflower steak with salsa verde; bouillabaisse; or sea bass with pine nuts, sorrel and cream. Israel is a leader in vegetarian cuisine so everyday kohlrabi, zucchini, cabbage and tomatoes are reimagined as delicacies, all marinated and herbed with flavours of the Middle East. For dessert, my table shared treats of chocolate, almond and lemon, all delish, but we voted that the winner was a frothy panna cotta with espresso crumble.

Sereia’s traditional Israeli breakfast is a lavish spread of fruit, chopped salads, shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce), salmon three ways and reinvented delicacies such as halvah, honey served directly from the honeycomb, and pastries that would rival anything from a French boulangerie.

For a bolder vibe, The Common is a handsomely furnished lounge — lots of brass trim, dark wood panelling and leather sofas — with a meaty menu and happy hour on cocktails. There is a selection of rare Macallan scotch (yes, it’s kosher), and a Cohiba Atmosphere cigar lounge, which is an enclosed sanctuary.

The Common’s shareables include tuna sashimi, gravlax, charcuterie and Jerusalem artichokes, and the beefy main courses are sirloin steaks, filet mignon, short ribs and burgers, and on many nights, a hefty sliced prime rib.

Spa life: The Okoa Spa has 11 treatment rooms, a sauna and steam and a Molton Brown boutique for fine lotions. The Ocean Journey treatment channels the seashore with a hot-sand exfoliation and a massage that emulates waves with marine-inspired fragrances.

David Kempinski Tel Aviv: 972 (for Israel) and 307-76-8888, kempinski.com; 51 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv, Israel. Accessible, Pet-friendly. Kempinski Discovery Loyalty Program valid at 570 hotels of the Global Hotel Alliance. Best rate guarantee. Some features are closed Friday night/ Saturday. All cuisine is kosher. Shabbat dinner served. Kids’ menus available.

Price: Approximate and fluctuating. Rooms from US$550, including outdoor pool / deck, sauna, steam, fitness area, beach towels, in-room Illy coffee. Certain rooms have access to Horizon Lounge, with all-day buffets and top-shelf spirits and wine.

Tel Aviv Tourism: visit.tel-aviv.gov.il. Israel tourism: info.goisrael.com.

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