Tel Aviv’s Norman Hotel Is Voted World’s Best Boutique Hotel

By Einat Paz-Frankel and Anouk Lorie, NoCamels June 21, 2015 2 minutes

The Norman Tel Aviv Hotel

Luxury American tourism magazine Jetsetter has just named the world’s best boutique hotel, and it’s none other than the stunning Norman Tel Aviv.

“The term ’boutique hotel’ can be applied to everything from major chains’ brand extensions to indie sleeps one step removed from B&B status, but Tel Aviv’s smart, stylish Norman is the real deal,” Jetsetter explained of its vote, which was based on reviews by 200 international journalists.

Overall, the magazine examined 23 hotel categories, such as business hotels and all-inclusive beach resorts.

Located just a few steps away from Rothschild Boulevard in the heart of Tel Aviv, the plush Norman Hotel is housed in two reconstructed Bauhaus-era buildings, surrounded by a luscious Mediterranean garden. Of the hotel’s high-end interiors, Jetsetter magazine points to the beautiful “hand-painted tile floors, high ceilings, creamy leather seating and original Israeli artwork.”

The hotel – which has only 50 guestrooms, many of which boast private balconies – also has the first international branch of British-Japanese small plates restaurant Dinings, in addition to the Norman Restaurant; a cocktail bar called the Library; and a stunning rooftop infinity pool. For guests looking to pamper themselves, The Norman offers spa treatments, an in-house yoga instructor, and an ultra-modern gym.

Originally built in 1925 for a wealthy Jewish family, the Norman Tel Aviv was opened in 2014, following eight years of renovations totaling $10 million. Starting at $415 per night, the room price includes à la carte breakfast and a free shuttle ride to the beach.

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Managed by Olivier Heuchenne and Yaron Liberman, The Norman is famous for for its elegant suites and penthouse units, which range from $700 to $3,300 a night. The hotel is named after the late businessman Norman Lourie, whose grandson is rumored to have shares in the hotel.

Jetsetter Magazine’s runners-up in the boutique category are the rustic, yet elegant Hotel La Semilla in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, and the ultra-modern The Serras Hotel in Barcelona, Spain. First-place winners in other categories include The Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, France, named best hotel for “big-city sleep;” the Mondrian London, which won the newcomer category; and The Miami Beach EDITION, named the best designed hotel in the world.