The truth? I was skeptical. For me, a vacation means getting as far away from home and the Tel Aviv bubble as possible. A flight, a long drive — anything that gives a sense of disconnection. Netanya never really made it onto my list of exotic destinations. So what was I doing at a hotel in Netanya on my day off? Well, I was surprised. Not only did the city manage to feel like being abroad, but on the way back I kept saying to myself, “How great is it that I don’t have a long, exhausting drive ahead.” Sometimes proximity is the biggest advantage.
Already in the lobby of the David Tower Hotel, where I stayed, it was clear this wasn’t just another beachfront hotel. High ceilings with gold accents, giant mirrors stretching upward, and elevators decorated with portraits of European nobility — it’s a bit over the top, but it manages to create the feeling of a small palace in the heart of Netanya. If the goal is escapism, they’re definitely on the right path.
In my opinion, the David Tower isn’t a hotel for a long vacation, but rather the perfect destination for 24 hours of disconnection, a luxurious spa experience, or a spontaneous one- or two-night stay arranged at the last minute without overthinking it. Whether it’s a business meeting in Netanya or a romantic getaway close to home, this is the place that offers a clear answer.
“A two-flavored experience”
The room I received on the sixth floor opened to a spacious balcony facing directly toward the sea. If you’re in the room at sunset, the view before you offers a wonderful moment not to be missed. My sunset painted the sky in orange-red hues and made me stop everything. I ordered a cocktail for NIS 45 — a completely reasonable price — and sat on the balcony with the breeze. It was a quiet moment, one that reminded me why I went on vacation in the first place.
But you can’t talk about the David Tower without mentioning the indoor pool. Winter is approaching, and it was easy to imagine how romantic it would be to swim there while rain splashes against the glass windows, reflecting the sea beyond. Even without the raindrops, just the thought of that image turned the swim into a different kind of experience — one that invites you to return to the hotel again, especially on cold days.
And then comes the part that truly defines the experience: The spa. It’s the heart and soul of the hotel. A heated indoor pool suitable for the upcoming winter, an authentic Turkish hammam, a sauna, and couples’ massages. The hotel’s new standout package is called “A Two-Flavored Experience.” It includes a couples’ treatment, a couples’ scrub in the hammam, and two cocktails, all for NIS 990. That’s far from cheap, but when you realize it’s a full day of genuine pampering with facilities hard to find elsewhere, the price becomes not only legitimate but justified.
The treatment itself was an experience in its own right. The therapist was especially attentive — he asked throughout if I was comfortable, if he should focus on another area, and managed to make me feel like I was in a real treatment, not just “another hotel massage.” I chose a deep tissue massage, a treatment that requires great attentiveness, and that’s exactly what I got: Hands that understood what my body needed at that very moment. A true feeling of renewal. When you leave the spa, there’s a relaxation area waiting with cocktails, herbal teas, cookies, and everything you need to continue the calm I was seeking.
Excellent breakfast, no dinner
As for prices, they won’t surprise anyone familiar with the hotel market in Israel: Midweek rates range between NIS 900 and NIS 1,200 per night, and on weekends they rise to NIS 1,100 to NIS 1,500. In my opinion, NIS 1,500 a night is too expensive — and that’s true for almost every hotel in Israel, especially when compared to the tempting prices offered by hotels abroad.
The breakfast, however, left a positive impression. It was rich and varied, with plenty of pastries, cheeses of all kinds, fresh fruits, cakes, and a chef who made my omelet exactly the way I like it. However, there’s no dinner service at the hotel, which is a noticeable drawback. On the other hand, the entire area is surrounded by restaurants, so whether you’re craving meat, fish, Moroccan cuisine, or sushi — it’s all just a short walk from the hotel.
And you can already see that right from the window: The Marrakesh restaurant sits beneath the hotel, and its small pools are part of the hotel’s view. So you really don’t need to go far to find a good meal — you can simply go down a few floors.
“So, how was Netanya?”
The local Dizengoff Street buzzes with restaurants and bars, and you can hear French at almost every table. The vibe is of a European community in the heart of the Sharon area. The prices here were also surprising: fries and a can of drink for NIS 25, and a hamburger for NIS 35 — prices that have almost disappeared from the Israeli landscape of 2025.
In my opinion, the David Tower isn’t a hotel for a long vacation, but a perfect spot for 24 hours of disconnection, a luxurious spa experience, or a spontaneous one- or two-night stay arranged at the last minute without overthinking it. Whether it’s a business meeting in Netanya or a romantic getaway close to home, this is the place that offers a clear answer.
When I got back, my friends asked, “So, how was Netanya?” I replied, “I really enjoyed it.” They were surprised — and honestly, so was I. Netanya was never considered a destination that evokes the image of a picturesque vacation, but reality proved otherwise: Complete relaxation just a short distance from home, a true sense of escapism, and a joy that stayed with me long after I returned to my routine.
The writer was a guest of the David Tower Hotel.