Israel Meets The Luxe Factor

Visitors traveling to Tel Aviv have found new levels of premium accommodation in The Setai, Tel Aviv and The Setai, Sea of Galilee. The two new five-star deluxe hotels mark Nakash Holdings’ first and second properties in Israel, and the third globally, with the ultra-modern Setai, Miami Beach.

“The Setai, Sea of Galilee was the first step in the Nakash brothers’ vision of bringing their prestigious hotel brand to Israel. After many years in which no new hotels were built in this region at all, the Nakash Group built an amazing hotel in a key area that links the Sea of Galilee, the Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights, and Mt. Hermon,” said Avi Hormaro, CEO of the Nakash Group in Israel

The Setai, Sea of Galilee is a 5-star deluxe resort located in the foothills of the Golan Heights, and provides an exceptional vacation experience among the very finest in Israel and around the world, together with unmatched views of the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee. Opened in May 2017, The Setai, Sea of Galilee offers 110 luxurious villas with private pools or outdoor hot tubs. One of the most remarkable features of this resort is its heated infinity pool, which overlooks the Sea of Galilee, and appears to flow into it.

Spread over 12 acres, The Setai, Sea of Galilee represents the coupling of modern luxury with ancient history. Surrounded by archeological ruins and stunning nature reserves, this luxury resort is recognized as the most romantic destination in northern Israel, with adjacencies to boutique wineries serving local wines reminiscent of Napa Valley, as well as the largest and most state-of-the-art spa facility in Israel. Visitors to The Setai, Sea of Galilee can relax with a massage or a dip in the indoor mineral pool; unwind in the Turkish Hamam (bath) or detoxify in the dry sauna. The surrounding Golan Heights area offers adventure-seeking travelers a picturesque destination for hiking, biking, ATVs, water sports and—in the winter season—skiing. Following an extremely high demand, 47 new villas with private pools are slated to open mid-2019.

The newest property, The Setai Tel Aviv, is nestled on a historic 13th century historic site known as the Kishle, and was originally constructed by the Turkish Empire to be a prison on the site of a Crusader fortress. The hotel joins The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd.’s prestigious collection of independent luxury hotels.

“We are thrilled with the successful opening of our third property, The Setai, Tel Aviv,” said Avi Hormaro. “The 13th century structure that is the foundation of this prestigious and sophisticated hotel is unlike any other, and we took meticulous care in preserving and infusing important historic elements into the transformation of the building.

The hotel’s exceptional design vision, led by the London office of Ara Design, is ‘old meets new,’ and blends Middle Eastern and Mediterranean elements with a contemporary style. To maintain this vision, Ara Design incorporated modern oak and leather furnishings into guest rooms that feature outer walls made of their original stone, balanced with antique Arabic patterns on walls and carpets.

Separated from the bedroom by an innovative electronic LED glass partition, the bathrooms can be privatized electronically at the guest’s demand. The lobby lounge includes a bar flanked by reclaimed timber from the building’s original roof.

Upon acquisition, the Nakash team commissioned comprehensive research to properly preserve the historic structure. Preservation efforts included extensive archeological digs, carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority, which unearthed remains dating back to the Crusader Period through the Ottoman era. Feigin Architects, an Israel-based firm, led the architectural planning and execution of the hotel, transforming the historic site into a five-star luxury property. A large arch at the hotel’s entrance bears the seal of Abdul Hamid II, 34th sultan of the Turkish Empire. The original Kishle, including wooden ceilings and ironwork, has been preserved, while wooden doors and windows have been recreated to emulate the original. Former prison yards were meticulously restored and now serve as the hotel’s front and rear courtyards.

Accommodations at The Setai, Tel Aviv include 120 rooms and suites with premium options offering views of the Mediterranean Sea. Amenities include a restaurant with first-class Israel-centric flavors and Mediterranean cuisines, a spa offering a variety of treatments and massages, a Turkish bath and a swimming pool overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel also serves as an ideal venue for business conferences or private occasions, with nine spacious event and banquet halls designed to accommodate 15 to 150 people. Just steps away from The Setai, Tel Aviv, guests will find all of the lively, culture-rich surroundings of the city, including authentic restaurants, boutiques, flea markets and bustling ports.

For more information about The Setai, Tel Aviv, and The Setai, Sea of Galilee, visit www.thesetaihotel.co.il, email Israel@jordache.com, or call (646) 383-8264.