Sam&Blondi

The hoteliers behind two of Tel Aviv’s more memorable boutique hotels — the whimsical CuCu and the genteel Nordoy — are back with another addition to the family. Sam&Blondi’s style is described as “eclectic European,” and it’s clear from a glance at this distinctive Thirties building, with its yellow façade and its green shutters, that it’s an accurate assessment. And its appeal runs deeper than that. The interiors, too, pay tribute to the diverse influences of the era of the building’s foundation, while also showcasing the contemporary side of Tel Aviv.

Sam and Blondi themselves are a fictional couple, written by local author Udi Sharabani, and the hotel is dedicated to their romance. It’s also dedicated to some more tangible concerns, like boutique-hotel good looks and some very welcome comforts, like in-room espresso makers and, in some rooms, balconies or even terraces. It’s a small hotel, just 45 rooms, which is enough to feel lively while remaining intimate — it’s like a good romance in that way. And the location, on Shenkin Street, places guests close to all the best of central Tel Aviv, from Rothschild Boulevard and Nachalat Binyamin to the Carmel Market and Frishman Beach. Go on and write your own story.