If you walk along on the famous Rothschild Boulevard, you might miss this small boutique hotel, hidden away at the corner of Nahalat Binyamin and Lilenblum, just behind Hotel 22 Rothschild, part of the Fattal chain. But that would be a huge mistake, as the intimate and beautifully designed Bachar House by 7Minds, also part of Fattal, is a real gem combining all the ingredients for a perfect urban vacation.

Bachar House is set in an eclectic building built in 1922 by Tel Aviv’s first chief engineer, Yehuda Magidovitch, for the Bachar family. Over the years, the beautiful heritage building has known several incarnations, and in 2019 it was meticulously renovated and restored while retaining its original motifs, finally converted into a boutique hotel with 26 elegantly decorated rooms.

Home away from home

As you would expect from a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the world’s most expensive city, the rooms at Bachar House will make you want to stay, offering everything you need for a restful vacay. The bed is super comfortable, the rain shower is big enough for two, the small terrace is just perfect for your morning coffee from the in-room Nespresso machine, and the room has all the other mod cons you might expect.

There is also a lovely business lounge where you can sit and work or chat up with friends over free wine, a cup of coffee, and a small complimentary snack buffet. The roof terrace boasts a city view of the Rothschild towers, with some sitting areas and a tiny pool. And last but not least, there’s a small but excellent spa, with four treatment rooms and a selection of treatments, to complete the experience.

Breakfast is served at the Rothschild 22 Hotel, right next to the Bachar House, with a connecting door between the two hotels. The free buffet may not be the most impressive I’ve seen, but it has everything you need to start your day, from pastries and veggies to cheese, eggs, and smoked fish.

History at every corner

I have already mentioned the history of Bachar House, evident in every design feature, from the stained glass, through the French windows to the old photographs of the historic house hanging on the walls. Yet another key element of the hotel is that history is also evident when you step outside.

Bachar House sits right on the Independence Trail, connecting some of Tel Aviv’s historic monuments telling the story of Israel’s declaration of independence, so you can literally walk out the door and go on a historical tour of the White City. Some of Rothschild Avenue’s historic buildings are also a stone’s throw from the hotel, not to mention the historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the colorful Carmel Market, with its multitude of treasures.

Location, location, location

So, the location is a winner, you got that already, right? However, that is only the beginning, as tourists flock to the area not just for the history but mostly for the vibrant life of the city that never sleeps. And the hotel’s prime location within easy reach of Rothschild Boulevard will turn your urban vacation both into a fine dining experience and a night (or more) to remember.

Mere steps away from Bachar House are some of the city’s best restaurants and nightlife venues, from bars like the Speakeasy to renowned restaurants like North Abraxas by Chef Eyal Shani, not to mention Milgo Milbar, just voted one of the Middle East and North Africa 50 best restaurants.

For lunch, we ate at the pleasant Sheine restaurant, a self-proclaimed culinary melting pot between the South of France, Morocco, and Frankfurt, combining an intimate, nostalgic design with some great seafood under the direction of Chef Asaf Gabay. We ordered a selection of starters, and they were all tasty and well presented.

In the evening, we opted for seafood again and booked a table at Café Europa, offering a “loose Tel Avivian cuisine,” as they call it. The ambiance was magical, and the excellent menu has dishes such as fish Crudo, fish tartare, citrus and sashimi salad, or asparagus on pea creme.

A culinary bonus

To complete the experience of staying at Bachar House and enjoying the urban vibe of Tel Aviv, I highly recommend a visit to the newly opened Asif – the Culinary Institute of Israel. This joint venture of the New York City-based Jewish Food Society and Tel Aviv’s Start-Up Nation Central is a unique and impressive space housing a cozy cafe, a fine deli, and a small gallery space currently exhibiting A Kitchen of One’s Own, a homage to the late Nechama Rivlin, with 50 years of her handwritten recipes and more.

On the second floor, you will find a culinary library, you can join a variety of events and cooking classes, and on the rooftop, they even have a small vertical farm.

The author was a guest of the hotel.