Tel Aviv has no shortage of beach hotels, one of which being the Crowne Plaza located in the north of the city, just steps from the Tel Aviv Marina.
Aside from having a central location along the beach, I found the hotel to have many shortcomings compared to some of the other hotels in the area in terms of quality and service.
Check in
The check in desk is located immediately to the right of the street entrance. Check in was quick and unmemorable; I was given a brief explanation of amenities, opening hours, and warned of ongoing construction on the balconies. As an IHG Platinum member, I was offered two complementary drinks at the lobby cafe, however no complementary breakfast or room upgrade.
The front area of the lobby is certainly due for a renovation and is really lacking an elegant feel. The back however seems renovated and offers fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea through floor to ceiling windows.
The Room
My room was standard featuring a double bed, couch, working desk, TV, and bathroom.
Each room offers a balcony with a view of the sea, though unfortunately it was closed off due to construction during my stay.
Overall the room was functional for our needs, though the furniture was tired and in need of a refurbishment. I hope once the balconies are finished they will renovate the guest rooms.
Hotel Amenities
Despite the room being underwhelming, the hotel does offer some good value in its pool and proximity to the beach as well and central Tel Aviv. The pool area was a nice place to relax during the hot summer afternoons with both covered and open areas which look out to the sea.
You can also choose to relax at the public beach which is directly behind the hotel.
The Crowne Plaza offers a fitness center as well which I didn’t have time to check out.
IHG Platinum Status Benefits
Though IHG Platinum Status may sound nice, practically it’s worthless in terms of elite benefits at most IHG hotels. The only benefit I received at the Crowne Plaza were two free drinks at the lobby café, which was a nice treat one morning.
I wasn’t offered a room upgrade, late check out, or free breakfast as I often receive at Hilton and Marriott properties with my mid and high tier status.
This is the standard across IHG hotels which is why I normally opt for another hotel chain.
Bottom Line
The Crowne Plaza is not my favorite Tel Aviv hotel, but it does offer good value for the price. The hotel rooms are functional with newly renovated balconies, the pool is among the best in the city, and the hotel is centrally located. However, many areas of the hotel including the lobby and many guest rooms are in serious need of a renovation and service can use some improvement.
The Crowne Plaza is a good choice for those looking for a reasonably priced beachfront hotel offering standard amenities. For those of you looking for a more luxurious hotel in Tel Aviv, check out my review of the Hilton Tel Aviv.