There are cities you visit and cities that get under your skin. Tel Aviv is firmly in the second category. From the moment you arrive, there's an energy to it that's hard to explain and even harder to shake: warm, chaotic, generous, and completely alive. The food is extraordinary, the people are welcoming in that effortless, no-fuss way that feels genuinely rare, and the whole place hums with a kind of creative confidence that makes you want to stay for longer than you planned.
So when it came to choosing where to stay, I wanted somewhere that felt like it actually belonged to the city. Not a big international chain that could be anywhere, but somewhere with a bit of soul. That's exactly how I ended up at Hotel Saul, a boutique hotel sitting right in the thick of it all, and honestly, it exceeded every expectation I had.
Here's my full, honest review.
First Impressions: Does It Live Up to the Hype?
Hotel Saul consistently ranks among the top hotels in Tel Aviv on TripAdvisor, and going in with that knowledge, I was curious whether it would actually deliver. Sometimes that kind of reputation builds expectations that nothing could realistically meet. But from the moment I walked into the lobby, I got it.
The space is stylish without trying too hard. Think warm tones, considered details, the kind of interior that feels curated rather than corporate. There's a small terrace just outside the entrance where you can sit and watch the world go by, which in Tel Aviv is genuinely one of the better ways to spend half an hour. The street life here is endlessly entertaining.
Immediately I felt like I'd made the right call.
The Room: Small Boutique, Big Personality
Hotel Saul isn't a large hotel, which is part of its charm. They offer a range of room sizes and configurations, including the option of a balcony, and we stayed in the Cozy room. Now, “cozy” in hotel speak can sometimes be code for “very small and slightly apologetic about it,” but that wasn't the case here at all.
The room was bright, well-designed, and had everything you'd actually want. A Nespresso machine (non-negotiable as far as I'm concerned), Apple TV with Netflix loaded up, air conditioning that actually worked properly in the Tel Aviv heat, and a small fridge in the room. The bathroom had a gorgeous rain shower, which after a day of wandering the city in the sunshine felt like absolute heaven, plus a lovely selection of Israeli shower products that I may or may not have used rather enthusiastically.
The rooms are modern and have a real sense of style to them. They feel fresh and considered, like someone actually thought about what would make a stay here feel good, rather than just ticking boxes. The whole hotel has that energy: small enough to feel personal, polished enough to feel special.
The Rooftop: The Bit Nobody Warns You About
Okay, this is where Hotel Saul genuinely surprised me, and I want to make sure you know about it before you book, because it's one of those details that elevates a good stay into a great one.
On the top floor, there's a rooftop terrace with sunbeds, a rain shower, and a view over the city that at sunset is quite honestly breathtaking. Tel Aviv at golden hour, with the rooftops stretching out below you and the warm light turning everything amber and rose, is one of those sights that makes you feel incredibly glad to be exactly where you are.
One floor down, there's a covered terrace decorated in a relaxed Israeli-courtyard style, with sofas, chairs, books, magazines, and board games. It's the kind of space you'd settle into for an hour and emerge from three hours later, slightly surprised at how the time went. Free water, tea, and coffee are available up here as well as in the lobby throughout the day, which is such a small thing but one of those touches that genuinely makes you feel looked after rather than just accommodated. Cold drinks and something stronger are available for a small additional charge.
I spent a lot of time on that covered terrace. I regret nothing.
The Location: As Good As It Gets
If you're visiting Tel Aviv for the first time, location is everything, and Hotel Saul gets this absolutely right. The hotel is a short walk from the Carmel Market, one of the most vibrant and sensory-overloading markets I've ever visited in the best possible way. The route there takes you past hip restaurants, coffee bars, and local street food stalls that will absolutely derail your plans in the most delicious way possible.
The beaches are within around ten minutes on foot too, which in the summer heat is exactly the kind of proximity you want. There's also a park just down the street that's perfect for an early morning walk or, if you're feeling more energetic than I typically am on holiday, an actual workout. The area is lively and full of things to discover, but despite all of that activity right on the doorstep, the hotel itself stays quiet at night. I slept brilliantly every single night, which for a light sleeper in an unfamiliar city is genuinely high praise.
The Staff: A Genuine Highlight
I don't always single out hotel staff in reviews, but at Hotel Saul it would feel wrong not to. The team here is warm, helpful, and genuinely lovely to deal with. They communicate in advance via WhatsApp, which means you arrive already knowing the key details, and they're available to message if you have questions, need a taxi, or just want a recommendation for where to eat (in Tel Aviv, always ask a local).
The staff speak English fluently alongside a fairly impressive range of other languages including Hebrew, Russian, Italian, Latvian, and Turkish. But beyond the practicalities, they just have the kind of manner that makes you feel like a welcome guest rather than a transaction. In a city as naturally warm as Tel Aviv, the staff at Hotel Saul fit right in.
Breakfast: Skip It (Kindly)
The hotel does offer breakfast, and I'm sure it's perfectly pleasant. But my honest recommendation is to save yourself the spend and go out instead. Tel Aviv has one of the most extraordinary breakfast cultures I've encountered anywhere, and the neighbourhood around Hotel Saul is packed with brilliant options. A leisurely breakfast at one of the local spots is one of those simple pleasures that feels like a genuinely luxurious way to start the day, especially with good coffee and the Tel Aviv sunshine.
Is Hotel Saul Worth It?
Yes, wholeheartedly. This is the kind of boutique hotel that reminds you why boutique hotels exist: the personality, the attention to detail, the feeling that someone actually cared about making your stay feel special. The rooftop alone is worth it, the location is hard to beat, and the staff make the whole experience feel genuinely warm.
For the price point, it represents really strong value compared to what you'd pay at a larger, less characterful hotel in the same area. If you're planning a trip to Tel Aviv and you want to stay somewhere that feels like it belongs to the city rather than just occupying space in it, put Hotel Saul at the top of your list.
I left already looking forward to going back, which is probably the most honest recommendation I can give.
Practical Details
Address: Central Tel Aviv (close to Carmel Market and within walking distance of the beaches)
Best for: Couples, solo travellers, anyone who wants a characterful boutique stay in a brilliant location
Rates from: Approximately $100 per night (rates vary by season, always worth checking)
Book via: Booking.com for the best available rates
Want to see where else I've been? Head over to the travel section for more.
