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Home›Finest Resorts›Israel›The Setai Tel Aviv
Selected by TheMediterranean.com
Eight centuries of Jaffa in five restored buildings, with a rooftop pool over the Mediterranean.
Selected by TheMediterranean.com
The Setai occupies five buildings on the Jaffa waterfront. The Crusaders built it in the 12th century as a fortress guarding the gateway to Jerusalem; under the Ottomans it became the town's jail, the kishle, behind the clock tower of 1906; later it was a British command post and then an Israeli police station until 2005.
Its restoration took about 25 years, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority with Feigin Architects, and turned up Roman, Christian and Ottoman finds. The hotel opened in 2018.
It was the first hotel in Tel Aviv-Jaffa to join The Leading Hotels of the World, and its rooftop infinity pool, cantilevered over the sea, is the hotel's signature.
At a glance
Rooms and suites
There are 120 rooms and suites, some facing the sea and others the old city. Interiors are by ARA Design.
About 120 m²
Dining
Opening onto a tree-lined courtyard.
Served in the courtyard.
All the restaurants are kosher.
Spa and experiences
Getting there
Ben Gurion (TLV), about 18 to 30 minutes by car; it also takes private jets
Nearby
The Tel Aviv & Herzliya Pituach Territory.
Own nearby ›About an hour north along the coast.
View the Territory ›Who can buy in Israel, the taxes and the steps, checked against official sources.
Read the guide ›Where to dine, what to see and how to arrive privately.
Visit ›The finest hotels, tables and journeys in Israel.
Explore ›The setting
Photographs of the surroundings; each caption says exactly what it shows.
Plan your stay
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what matters most, and we will reply with how to make the most of The Setai Tel Aviv. Write to [email protected].
Checked 31 October 2026. Awards are listed with the year they were given; rooms, restaurants and seasons can change, so confirm details with the resort. See all the Finest Resorts of the Mediterranean.
Keep exploring
History & culture
The season
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The Mediterranean Season Letter
Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.
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