RED - Home for Travellers

RED feels more like a home than a regular hostel. I’ve just returned from Israel after my third stay there, and I’m already looking forward to going back on my next trip to Tel Aviv. It’s a beautifully furnished apartment with a lovely rooftop terrace. When you arrive, they introduce you to the other guests, so it quickly feels like joining a family. Shahar is the best host you could imagine. The whole stay was wonderful.

The kitchen equipment and washing machine both worked, and everything was as described. It’s a hostel, so don’t expect a five-star hotel, but I’ve stayed at Red twice and had an excellent experience both times. Shahar, the host, is friendly, responsive, and always ready to help, and the other staff were lovely too. The location is ideal for walking to most places in Tel Aviv. There’s a bus straight to the airport and another that takes you to the train station. I’d happily recommend it to anyone visiting.

As a woman traveling alone in my early 50s, I felt comfortable and at home here. Sharar is warm and kind, and makes sure you’re happy with your stay. The location is fantastic, close to the beach as well as good restaurants and bars. I was a little surprised by some of the reviews. I know Shahar has someone come in to clean every day, and I found the place spotless. If you’re after a dorm style stay, I’d highly recommend Shahar's Luxury Dorm. It’s clean and fantastic, and a place where you can make lifelong friends.

Shahar is the heart of this hostel. He’s friendly, open, interested, and educated, and does a good job balancing all the different personalities and interests. I’ve stayed in a shared room in the main apartment, spent a couple of nights on the roof, and come back as a friend since then. There’s always a friendly group around, with lively, open conversations that make it easy to connect. As a woman traveling on my own, I liked having a non-threatening place where I could choose to join a group or head out by myself. It’s a hostel, so you’ll probably spend your time in the common room or outside. The shared rooms are good for sleeping, but not really for lounging in bed and reading all day. I brought headphones, which I appreciated, but I slept well either way. The place is tidy and clean, including the bathroom. There are outlets around, excellent wifi, a clean kitchen, and laundry available. Everything is close enough to reach by an easy bus ride or on foot. I walked to the beach every morning for a quick breakfast and loved the atmosphere in that part of TLV. A good budget option if you want to broaden your horizons and meet great people. It feels more personal and authentic than a big hostel chain, and Shahar is a real host.