White Villa Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, and its White City neighborhood in particular, has been a destination for design aficionados for decades. This is a young city in an ancient corner of the world — it wasn’t founded until the early 1900s — and its architecture is correspondingly unique: European modernism viewed through the lens of Israeli culture and climate. So when we say that the White Villa, located in the heart of the White City, is one of the architectural icons of the city, that means something.

Built in 1948, the White Villa was the work of one of Le Corbusier’s disciples, and today it is one of the last remaining single-family villas from the era. It was once a private residence — the family on the upper floor, the servants on the ground floor. The interior received a full-scale renovation in recent years to transform the house into a hotel, and the result is 18 airy guestrooms, each a tasteful study in neutrals that’s contemporary but still true to the original mid-century international style of the residence. We think Le Corbusier would approve — and actually, much of his protegé’s original design remains intact, including the grand foyer, fireplaces, and the street-facing veranda.

You’ll want to spend plenty of time on that veranda or on the rooftop sundeck, which features chaise longues and patio tables to soak up the abundant Tel Aviv sun. Many of the rooms feature private outdoor spaces as well. But if you prefer to do your sunbathing at the beach, the sea is just a short walk from the White Villa — as is Diezengoff Square and the very heart of the city center.