The Best Affordable Hotels in Tel Aviv

At times, Tel Aviv can resemble a building site as another historic factory/private mansion/port-side parlour gets refurbished in the rush to gentrify as much of the city as possible. But as more and more Bauhaus buildings get a lick of paint, it's the savvy traveller who benefits, as more beds mean lower prices.

Competition is fierce and a slew of extras comes as standard - from buckets of free popcorn, unlimited cava on the roof to pre-packed, complimentary beach bags and handmade marshmallows. These are the purse-friendly Tel Aviv pads we're checking into.

Seven places to stay in Israel's White City that won't break the bank...

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Fabric Hotel

Occupying a former sewing factory in Tel Aviv’s vibrant textile district, Fabric has positioned itself as the inner-city hangout for the denim-clad and cool. Interiors are inspired by Brooklyn’s grit: the courtyard sports trainers hanging over a telephone wire, there’s a hip-hop playlist with plenty of The Notorious B.I.G. and the rooftop lounge is strewn with potted plants. But it’s the added extras that move it from bang average to bang for your buck. Bicycle hire is on the house, pre-packed beach kits means your luggage will (finally) fall within Wizz Air weight restrictions and the breakfast spread is so lavish you can skip lunch – the platters of roasted and chargrilled vegetables look like they’ve been whipped up from the centre pages of Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks. As Bushwick – the graffiti-covered bar paying homage to the hip NYC neighbourhood – moves from coffee to cocktails, guests also get their first one on the house.

Address

Nahalat Binyamin Street 28 Tel Aviv-Yafo 6516205 Israel

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Hotel Saul

Named after the Hebrew poet Shaul Tchernichovsky – whose poems can be found scrawled on the walls – Hotel Saul embodies that old-world meets tattoo-parlour-cum-concept-store vibe that now crops up on every corner of Tel Aviv. Retro lamps, geometric prints and lots of walnut furniture give it a Seventies feel, while the exposed concrete, whitewashed brick walls and Apple TVs (in every room) bring it bang up to date. As does the on-demand popcorn available from 24-hour room service should a Netflix binge or Crash Bandicoot marathon be on the cards. Happy hour is hosted twice weekly on the sun-soaked roof deck, so take advantage of the free wine and grab your share of snacks.

Address

Tchernichovsky Street 17 Tel Aviv-Yafo 6329132 Israel

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Brown Beach House

The little sister to one of Tel Aviv’s OG boutique boltholes – Brown TLV Hotel – has a rebellious streak. Set within sprinkling distance of the Mediterranean Sea and the city’s best beaches, Brown Beach House caters for those looking to soak up the late-night scene. Its polished black entrance and enormous pink neon flamingo confirm it’s more nightclub than nap time. Four-poster beds, mustard soft furnishings and monochrome zigzag sofas take it from Dorset beach hut to Miami day cabana, while the bathroom cabinets stocked with an apothecary worth of products promise to revive sore heads. Late breakfast times mean you can hit the snooze button or roll straight in from your night out.

Address

HaYarkon Street 64 Tel Aviv-Yafo 6343220 Israel

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Elmina

Cocooned in Jaffa’s medley of ancient alleyways and ornate archways, Elimna is a grown-up addition to the White City. Originally built in the Twenties and once a private home for a wealthy merchant family, the 10 rooms are seriously suave and heavily influenced by Jaffa’s evocative sunsets. There’s also a distinctive art deco influence as seen in the sultry vanities (stocked with all the potions needed to mix negronis), arched gilt mirrors and showers framed by gorgeous curved windows overlooking the street.

Address

Shim'on Ben Shatakh Street Tel Aviv 6802009

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The Ruby

Housed in a meticulously restored 100-year-old building – spot the original doors, railings and distressed tiles – in the gritty Neve Zedek district, The Ruby is an 18-room hotel suited to longer stays. Plunder the Levinsky Market (a 13-minute stroll away) for supplies before sampling your finds in the lofty communal kitchen backed by pretty courtyards. Rooms are sparse but in a cool, Copenhagen-loft kind of way – expect lots of exposed plaster, Mad Men-inspired sideboards and brassy accents in the white-tiled, Hoxton-esque bathrooms.

Address

11 Yehuda Halevi Street Tel Aviv 6513519 Israel

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Port and Blue TLV

Fun, flirty and with a penchant for fairy tales, Port and Blue TLV pokes fun at the too-serious, design-obsessed hotels littered along the same stretch of sandy street and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Communal areas are bedecked with whimsical, tongue-in-cheek touches – think oversized powder-pink chaise lounges and tasselled lamps – an Alice in Wonderland tea room is equipped with a life-size (if a little creepy) White Rabbit in the corner and the speakeasy cocktail bar is smothered with hanging ferns. Upstairs bedrooms are slightly moodier and adopt a nautical feel – a nod to the hotel’s port-side location. Except for the Hubba Bubba-coloured bathroom that wouldn’t look out of place in a Cyndi Lauper music video. They must have heard millennials like pink…

Address

Tsidon 1 Tel Aviv 6350835 Israel

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Dave Gordon – Son of a Brown

Brown Hotels is turning Tel Aviv into a family affair with its portfolio of wallet-friendly boltholes that have been a driving force behind the city’s pioneering hotel scene. Its youngest – Dave Gordon – is no exception. Daring, fun and a little bit weird (read: there’s a half-dressed, one-armed mannequin and Hockney-esque taxidermy rodents in-between floors), most of the furniture and novel accessories have been upcycled and sourced from the nearby Jaffa Flea Market. Elsewhere, you’ll find a tattoo parlour, barbershop and honesty bar stocking plenty of cold beers. It’s well worth upgrading to the Foxy Superior room – there’s little difference in the price and this one comes with standalone bathtub and theatrical circular bed.

Address

J. L. Gordon Street 17 Tel Aviv-Yafo 6343801 Israel

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