Lighthouse by Brown Hotels

Lighthouse by Brown Hotels in Tel Aviv, Israel, a property recognized by the Michelin Key selection, offers a unique and vibrant stay blending modern design with a prime location near the city's iconic beach.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Lighthouse by Brown Hotels is positive, with an overall rating often described as "Good" to "Very Good" (e.g., 7.7 on Agoda and 7.6 on Kayak). Guests frequently highlight its exceptional service, delectable dining, and prime location as key strengths. While the hotel generally receives praise, some specific experiences point to areas for improvement, creating a somewhat mixed, but generally favorable, sentiment.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's prime location in the heart of Tel Aviv, just a short walk from the beach and major attractions. The dining experience, particularly breakfast, receives remarkable praise. The design and atmosphere are also frequently mentioned, with the hotel occupying floors of the historic Migdalor ("Lighthouse") office tower, featuring an ultramodern design by architect Nestor Sandbank and Brown Hotels. Comfort is rated highly. Additionally, the hotel boasts two sundeck terraces, an outdoor hot tub, and the Haiku Skybar, an open-air rooftop bar offering panoramic 360-degree views of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Lighthouse by Brown Hotels are generally described as well-appointed, featuring modern amenities and stylish decor. They are often more spacious than typical city hotel rooms and offer spectacular views of the Tel Aviv skyline and the Mediterranean Sea. Many rooms include high-quality linens and amenities, with some suites boasting vintage-style Marshall Bluetooth speakers and Molton Brown toiletries. The hotel offers twelve Terrace Rooms with spacious balconies and outdoor hot tubs, as well as Junior and Executive Suites with separate sitting areas. Family-friendly options include connecting rooms and the availability of extra child's beds. Some rooms are sound-proofed and may include a balcony or sunny terrace.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Lighthouse by Brown Hotels receives a remarkable rating of 9.0 for food and dining. The 5th-floor restaurant offers a rich buffet breakfast, featuring a variety of Tel Aviv's finest local and international dishes, served on a spacious, sunny terrace with beautiful sea views. This breakfast is also accessible to non-guests for a fee. The hotel also features an à la carte restaurant serving international cuisine in a warm atmosphere, along with a lounge bar.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many guests praising the team as attentive, friendly, efficient, and helpful. Reviewers frequently mention staff members going "above and beyond" to provide valuable tips about Tel Aviv and beyond. The concierge is available 24/7 to assist with inquiries and requests. However, some isolated complaints mention sarcastic staff or difficulties in resolving issues.

6. Location & Accessibility

Lighthouse by Brown Hotels boasts a prime and central location in Tel Aviv, situated at the corner of Ben Yehuda and Allenby streets, just a two-minute walk from the beach. It provides easy access to key attractions such as Jerusalem Beach, the Tayelet (promenade), Carmel Market, Jaffa Port and Flea Market, Dizengoff Square, Rothschild Boulevard, and the Neve Tzedek neighborhood. The hotel is well-connected for transport, offering airport transfer services. Taxis from Ben Gurion Airport take approximately 30 minutes, and public transportation options are also available from nearby train and bus stations.

7. Value & Pricing

The hotel is noted for offering "exceptional value for money," with an average room price around $175. KAYAK data suggests that the cheapest deals can typically be found in May and January, with Thursday or Sunday often being the best days to book for optimal room rates. However, some guests have expressed that they found it "overpriced for what you get eventually".

8. Common Complaints

While generally well-received, some recurring issues and criticisms include:

• Noise: Guests have reported loud plumbing, and noise from other rooms, including people shouting and cleaning staff.
• Staff Consistency: Although many praise the staff, some experiences mention sarcastic reception staff or difficulties in resolving issues.
• Breakfast Service: There have been reports of slow breakfast service and long queues to be seated.
• Wi-Fi Quality: Some guests have experienced poor Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Renovations & Entrance: As the hotel occupies parts of a renovated office tower, some past reviews noted that initial impressions could be affected by ongoing remodeling works or that the hotel entrance might be hard to spot from the street.
• Late Check-out Fee: A fee applies for late check-out for guests observing Shabbat.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. agoda.com
3. brownhotels.com
4. michelin.com
5. hoteltelaviv.net
6. hotel-tel-aviv.net
7. telavivcityladies.com
8. telavivhotelsisrael.com
9. telaviv-hotels.net
10. brownhotels.com
11. kayak.com