The Drisco Hotel to Open in Tel Aviv
Date: May 2018
Location: Tel Aviv’s vibrant American Colony neighbourhood, Israel.
Name: The Drisco Hotel – opening June 2018
No. of Keys: 42
Seller: Dov Sokolovsky, developer. The Drisco Hotel pays tribute to the 1866 original grandeur of the property, when Evangelist pilgrims John and George Drisco set out to open the very first luxury hotel in the region, just outside the Jaffa wall.
In 1870, Ernst Hardegg, a Templar hotelier, acquired the hotel and neighbouring property, renaming it The Jerusalem Hotel.
Over the next century, the property became one of the most prestigious destinations in the region, attracting famed international guests such as Thomas Cook and Mark Twain.
Following the deportation of the German Templars by the British mandate authorities in 1940, the building was left abandoned and neglected.
A lengthy restoration process began in 2006 to reconstruct the landmark hotel, preserve its original architecture and revive the unique murals that recount its unique story.
After more than a decade of intensive work led by Architect and Interior Designer Ari Shaltiel, The Drisco is ready to open its doors on June 3.
Buyer: Jointly owned by Vitania, the American Colony, and Or-Shell Holdings (33.3% each).
Or-Shell owns two other hotels: the Vital Hotel and the Baby Lis Maternity Hotel.
Another hotel in the advanced planning stages located on Ben Avigdor Street, near the Sarona compound, is a conversion of an existing building into a hotel.
Avi Jacques, who represents the owners and serves as a hotel advisor for the project.
Evoking a contemporary interpretation of the original Ottoman oriental design, The Drisco Hotel mixes innovative décor elements, restored historic murals and 21st-century conveniences.
Charming yet sophisticated, the property embodies the perfect blend of old-world luxury and modern-day comforts, a true reflection of the unique neighbourhood it inhabits.
The Drisco Tel Aviv features 37 spacious rooms and 5 beautifully-appointed suites, all equipped with upscale amenities, state-of-the-art technology, and Carrara marble bathrooms.
The bathrooms pay a contemporary homage to classic grand style bathrooms, boasting a large walk-in shower, oriental pattern ceramic tiles, elegant mirrors, ornate decorative wall lamps, imperial vintage sinks and vanities.
Most rooms and suites are available with connecting and adjacent units to accommodate families or groups. Spacious balconies offer breathtaking views of Tel Aviv-Jaffa or the Mediterranean Sea while select rooms overlook the charming cobblestone streets.
For the ultimate relaxing and intimate stay, guests can opt for the historic Villa Drisco, comprised of 5 rooms and the stunning Norton Suite, complete with a private terrace overlooking the hotel’s serene inner Piazza and Garden.
Price: US$35m investment over 10 years
Price per Key: US$833,333
THPT Comment: Some fab history here…the hotel pays tribute to the 1866 original grandeur of the property, when Evangelist pilgrims John and George Drisco set out to open the very first luxury hotel in the region, just outside the Jaffa wall. In 1870, Ernst Hardegg, a Templar hotelier, acquired the hotel and neighbouring property, renaming it The Jerusalem Hotel.
…and the new owners are clearly lovingly restoring the hotel to more than it’s former glory.
First Seen: Globes