Yarden Seaside Apartments

The location was wonderful, but the risk isn't worth it for a vacation. We arrived to find the place overbooked, and we and other guests were left without an apartment. They let you pay there, but it seems to lead to overbooking, then there's no space when you show up. The owner wasn't there and couldn't be reached at all. There was only one guy cleaning the apartments, and he couldn't help sort out the mess. Never again.

We found a receipt dated 14 October 1942, 79 years ago this month. My dad was part of a US bomber crew fighting Rommel from what is now Israel. The American crews had to arrange their own lodging and meals, and my dad always spoke highly of the people in the area. The receipt shows a night's stay with breakfast and dinner cost $7.50. On behalf of my family, I want to thank the people and history of Tel Aviv’s Hotel Yarden. Though it was long ago, please accept our family's deepest appreciation for all the accommodations provided.

I went up to the room and found sticky, dirty surfaces, an old towel on the balcony floor, sheets with holes that didn't cover the mattress, and stains on the walls and floor. It was so disgusting that I checked out immediately. There were no Covid-19 precautions on site either, and the clerk wasn't even wearing a mask. I'd booked for the weekend thinking it was an apartment, but it was actually a hotel. Check-in instructions weren't clear, and after I tried to contact them, I was passed between two numbers. Six calls and four hours later, someone rudely suggested I go to reception. There, the fellow charged me double for a reason he couldn't explain and said he couldn't refund me, only the manager on Sunday could. When I asked for a receipt, he said no, only on Sunday, maybe. That's against the law, by the way.

The rooftop apartment is good value for the money. It has a huge terrace and a nice view across the whole city.