Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv Beach by IHG

The buffet dinners were so good after breakfast that we decided to try dinner too. The steak was tender and well spiced, and there was chicken, kasha, soup, mousse desserts, cakes, and fruit. We ate with a lovely beach view and sunset. We came here after a week in Jerusalem to unwind by the sea before heading back to America. The Crown Plaza TelAviv was a great choice for its beach location. We prepaid for a breakfast buffet deal, and the spread was amazing: fresh vegetables, eggs, lox, cheese, desserts, and a coffee bar, with a breathtaking view and great service. Getting to the beach was easy. We took the elevator to level -2, went down the stairs for towels, and were at the boardwalk and beach just outside the door. The August water was warm, and we enjoyed the surfing and volleyball scenes. Surfboards and boogie boards were available to rent. This has become our favorite beach and hotel anywhere.

The location is really good, but the room and service didn't match what I expected from this brand. The hotel wasn't even half full, yet they wouldn't offer us a better room. They said ours had been renovated, though the floor was scratched and old, the bathroom counter was broken and scratched, and the towels seemed old and not right for a high-class hotel. There was also a stale smell in the room. The young staff didn't seem well trained for a hotel of this level, even though they're the face of the place. The price didn't fit the service. I understand, it's IL, baby, but I expected more from the brand than what we got.

The hotel is right on the beach, with easy access to restaurants, fruit bars, and beach life. From the rooms you get a wide, lovely view, and the Mediterranean sunsets on the west coast make for such a peaceful, romantic moment. The sand is soft, the ocean gorgeous, salty and invigorating. It also makes you appreciate G-Ds magnificent, beautiful world.

We were upgraded to a beautiful room on the lounge floor, and the shower was fantastic. Lounge access was a nice extra, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available there. Most of the staff were very friendly, the pool was nice, and the location right by the beach was excellent. I also loved the Aroma coffee shop just outside. The place felt bright and airy apart from some very dark hallways and the elevator. Otherwise, we had a great stay.