Imagine hopping off the Tel Aviv-Jaffa light rail at the Salome stop just past the iconic clock tower, walking across the street, and straight to your comfortable room overlooking bustling Jerusalem Street.
At Fattal’s new Bazaar Hotel, its first property in the new Fattal Colors collection of distinctive boutique hotels, each with its own character, atmosphere, and story, you don’t have to imagine.
Each hotel in the collection, which includes Rothschild 22, Sam & Blondi, and the Nordoy Hotel (reviewed a few months ago), was chosen and designed because of its location and history.
The Bazaar, which opened a year ago but underwent two war-related shutdowns before going full throttle last month, is housed in one of the first and only Bauhaus buildings in Jaffa.
Although it seems cozy and homey, the Bazaar boasts 104 rooms and suites, along with an inviting lobby area and coffee and snack corner open 24 hours a day. Receptionist Tal seems to always be there, day or night, and provides guests with service with a smile and useful information about their stay and the surrounding areas.
The building, originally known as “Beit Muzaffar,” was commissioned by Sheikh Abdul Qader al-Muzaffar, a wealthy orchard owner and city council member, as part of the vision for modern Jaffa and was used by the British Mandate authority for public auctions and sales fairs in pre-state Palestine, thus gaining its moniker, the bazaar.
The building, reserved for historical preservation by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality, is a fine example of the integration of history and contemporary innovation.
Artistic elements and authentic pieces sourced from local creators in the nearby Jaffa market have been integrated throughout the hotel.
The hotel exhibition features works by artists who were born in, live in, or create in Jaffa. Selected works from the Dubi Shiff Art Collection, known for figurative realism paintings, are also featured, alongside archival photographs documenting Jerusalem Boulevard throughout history.
Inspired by the grand boulevards of Paris and Alexandria
The boulevard itself was inspired by the grand boulevards of Paris and Alexandria and lined with palm trees planted in 1915 by students of the Mikveh Israel Agricultural School – trees that still stand over a century later.
If you get a room facing the boulevard, it’s possible to spend hours looking out at the picturesque view down below and imagine how it appeared 100 years ago. But don’t pass up the opportunity to walk out into that history.
Steps away are so many sites and attractions, from the flea market with its myriad of alleys and colorful vendors to the beautiful Jaffa Port and its alleyways of designer shops, galleries, and eateries. And don’t forget the main attraction, the Mediterranean, with its inviting beach beckoning from a short walk away.
With so much to offer, staying in Jaffa can be an exhausting experience. So the best part is heading back to the comfortable rooms at the Bazaar, complete with all of the bells and whistles that make for a satisfying and restful stay.
Our room featured colorful Persian-style carpets, a king-sized bed, and a spacious shower with a huge nozzle that provided the required wake-up pressure and more. In the morning, the view of a tranquil Jerusalem Boulevard down below was mesmerizing.
There’s rooftop access with an even better view of the whole area, as well as a lounge and bar.
Breakfast is provided for guests at the adjacent Palette Bistro, which by night is an upscale dinner and wine establishment. Hotel guests can patronize the ample salad, cheese, and dessert buffets, all prepared fresh and delicious, and choose one entrée from the menu, including a sublime Eggs Benedict; French toast with brioche, crème fraîche, and seasonal fruits; and an overflowing Tartine d’Avocat, sourdough toast with aioli, avocado, and greens.
It’s decidedly non-kosher, with one meat-dairy dish on the breakfast menu. But Tal, the receptionist, explained that guests can stay at the hotel without a breakfast option, for a reduced fee, and head out to explore the multitude of morning dining options a short walk away.
Room prices are comparable to those of the hotels in the area, and special midweek deals are available.
The hotel provides a next-door parking plan for a fee of NIS 100 and the option to leave the parking area once during a 24-hour period. But take it from me. A fast train to Tel Aviv’s Savidor stop and a short jaunt on the light rail for five stops without the fuss and muss of traffic jams and honking horns make all the difference between arriving for your getaway frustrated or refreshed.
Convenience and comfort, just like history and innovation, go hand in hand at the Bazaar.
The writer was a guest of the hotel. The Bazaar, 22 Jerusalem Boulevard, Jaffa.
