אל על | אטמוספירה

The impressive structure of the Drisco Hotel, situated in the heart of Tel Aviv’s American-German Colony, not only looks like it came out of a postcard from a bygone era, it feels like one too. At the Drisco, this retro atmosphere extends beyond its mere design - it is a genuinely historic hotel, originally established by brothers George and John Drisco, two American settlers, 160 years ago. Today, it’s a luxury 5-star boutique hotel, and the only one of its kind in Israel to be a member of the prestigious international Relais & Châteaux association. The concept: impressive history in a luxurious setting In 1866, a group of American settlers from Maine arrived at the port of Jaffa with their families, dreaming of establishing an agricultural colony in the Holy Land. The Drisco brothers, members of this group, had planned from the start to build “Le Grand Hotel”, a hotel designed to host the pilgrims new to the land. Two years later, after the settlers had endured a series of misfortunes, they all left apart from a few American families, and the buildings passed into the hands of the Templars, who had arrived from Germany to establish a settlement in the area. The building was transferred to Ernst Hardegg, a German entrepreneur who added rooms and transformed it into the legendary Jerusalem Hotel. For decades, it was considered one of the region’s most renowned luxury hotels; during the British Mandate era, it hosted many dignitaries, including General Allenby and the entourage of Kaiser Wilhelm II. In recent years, after meticulous, long term preservation and restoration work at an investment of NIS 120 million, the hotel was reopened. The renovation process included . . . . . Photos: Assaf Pinchuk

Lifestyle I Weekend Getaway .

A beautifully restored historic building, luxury pampering, and fine dining of the highest order are the main ingredients of this weekend getaway in one of Tel Aviv’s most picturesque neighborhoods, no kids in tow / By Nira Dishi The magic of history: a luxuriously pampering couple’s getaway at the Drisco Hotel . .

22 ATMOSPHERE NOVEMBER 2026 .. .