It will take time until Israel will be ready to offer style. All the old construction and the not esthetically environment next to this hotel is one of the biggest problems Israel has to deal (shallowly speaking of course). Anyway, I hope more people and the state will focus on this subject, because it is funny for me when friends tell me: "I live in a great place in TLV"...and when I go I see old building, dirty, typical door and intercom, no elevator (or crappy one)...so, lets hope someone will do, but still will never be a nice place like (sthetically speaking)...but it will always be our place for Jews.

Judah, I have been there, and let me tell you that richest areas (Like Caesaria) in other countries are more developed, prettier, with more things, and maybe Caesaria is WOW for regular Israelies, but it is MAMASH not something wow. Check BellAir (Houston), Hamptons, Lomas de San isidro (argentina), and I can keep on going. So Caesaria could have big houses, but is not something exclusive for people who know what exclusive is. So I keep with my idea that "Not Yet Israel"...BTW...Golan heights have great areas of green!!!! So enjoy thta part!

John happens to be correct. A whole package is needed, which is why in america, "developers" do a better job because they create ambience , as well, which creates a better feeling from the surrounding environment. Not a lopsided parking meter, and crushed curb outside a narrow street access, with no room to get out of your car/cab/limo(?).

What a nice view! But I must say that the decor doesn't look luxurious. Minimalist is perhaps a better description. Save a few hints, devoid of color. I am not impressed.

Keep your Bill Gates and Buffets as well as the appaling dirt, stench and poverty of the ghettos in NYC and LA. Extravagant life-styles aside, most Americans are just like most Israelis middle class people. NYC is the shtetl capital of the Jewish world where wealthy and assimilated Manhattan Jews share the same insecurities towards the gentile world as their poorer brethern in Brooklyn. Israel as a contrast is the real thing: the Jewish homeland which successfully blends a high-tech economy with non-materialistic idealism which disappeared generations ago from the consumer-crazed and shallow NYC Jewry.

We Jews in the Diaspora are the very worst of the Jewish people and the Jews of Israel are the very best. And yes, the Diaspora Jew today is in reality not even a hop, skip and a jump away from the shtetl Jew of yesteryear.