A book in one hand, a drink in the other, and rows of luxury yachts stretching out in front of me. That was how I spent Friday afternoon, stretched out on a lounge chair beside the pool, after a hot stone massage and before dinner. Judging by the Instagram stories we posted, you might have thought we had escaped to a Greek island. In reality, we were at Herzliya Marina, just 15 minutes from home.
The setting was courtesy of The Yacht, the new luxury hotel operated by Israel's Fattal Hotels Group, which opened in June at the far end of the marina, on a narrow strip of land surrounded by water on three sides. Part of the Fattal Limited Edition collection, the property was built at a reported investment of approximately 1 billion shekels ($320 million), according to the hotel chain.
Architect Ilan Pivko designed the striking building to resemble a giant luxury yacht anchored in the harbor.
To the designers' credit, they knew when to stop. Despite the obvious nautical inspiration, the hotel does not feel like a maritime-themed attraction at Disneyland. There are no giant steering wheels in the corridors, ropes hanging from the ceilings or attempts to convince guests they are actually aboard a ship.
Instead, the design relies on clean lines, light colors and natural wood, allowing the water and yachts outside to complete the picture.
The hotel has 325 rooms and suites, including approximately 85 suites. Yet despite its size and substantial investment, what truly sets it apart is its location. The marina is not merely something guests see through their windows. Boats, masts and harbor activity form a constant backdrop throughout the stay, creating the atmosphere of a luxury sailing vacation without ever leaving dry land. And without the seasickness.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and checked into a ground-floor suite with a private pool facing the marina. The 46-square-meter (495-square-foot) suite included a separate bedroom, living room, kitchenette and terrace with a pool overlooking the moored yachts. The rooms were spacious, the design elegant and the finishes of a high standard.
The Yacht hotel: The marina is visible from every corner of the room
(Photo: Aya Ben Ezri)
Guests who opt against a suite with a private pool can enjoy the hotel's main swimming pool, which stretches 50 meters (164 feet). It is surrounded by numerous sun loungers and umbrellas, with a central bar serving cocktails and other alcoholic beverages.
During our visit, the pool was far from crowded. However, we stayed in the fall rather than at the height of the swimming season, so it is difficult to know what the atmosphere is like in August.
The hotel also has a rooftop infinity pool with its own bar and views of the marina. Unfortunately, it had already closed for the winter by the time we arrived.
Access to the rooftop pool is restricted to adults and generally requires an additional fee, although admission is included in certain suite categories. Judging by the appearance of the space, it could be a worthwhile addition to a summer vacation, but this time we had to settle for admiring it from the sidelines. The hotel's business lounge was also not yet operating during our visit.
The Yacht hotel: Settling in beside the pool with a cocktail
(Photo: Lee Besor)
The Yacht hotel from above: There's also a small children's pool
(Photo: Aya Ben Ezri)
The Yacht hotel's rooftop infinity pool: Scheduled to reopen ahead of summer
(Photo: Asaf Rosen)
Good food, an excellent massage and a little beach time
After settling in, we headed downstairs for lunch beside the pool. The nearby bar serves drinks and dishes prepared by the hotel's kitchen.
We ordered Caesar salad, a sirloin sandwich, an entrecote skewer and another salad. The portions were generous and the food was delicious, so there was no reason to venture far from the pool for a decent meal.
From there, we continued to Kedem Spa, located within the hotel complex. The spa is attractively designed and inviting, with treatment rooms, a sauna and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the marina. I chose a hot stone massage, which was simply excellent. By the time I emerged, anything involving physical exertion seemed entirely unnecessary.
Nevertheless, we managed to drag ourselves out for a short walk along the beach. One of the hotel's advantages is its proximity to Herzliya's Mediterranean beaches. Although guests need to leave the marina to reach the shoreline, it is only a short walk away. You can head north or south and add some sand and waves to your vacation if you want a change from watching yachts.
Kedem Spa at The Yacht: One of the treatment rooms, designed for the ultimate escape
(Photo: Aya Ben Ezri)
An aerial view of The Yacht: The hotel blends into its marina surroundings
(Photo: Aya Ben Ezri)
The beach in Herzliya: Just a short walk from the hotel
(Photo: Asaf Rosen)
Friday dinner was served at La Marée, the restaurant that also functions as the hotel's main dining room. The selection was extensive, but what impressed me most was the quality. I had grilled salmon, while at another station a staff member carved meat ribs in front of guests.
There was also a broad assortment of meat and fish dishes, a generous salad section and a sushi station that turned out to be a particularly pleasant surprise. The sushi was genuinely excellent, rather than the kind of obligatory buffet offering included merely to tick a box. The desserts were also very good.
The Yacht hotel: The friendly and attentive staff deserve special praise
(Photo: Asaf Rosen)
The sushi station: Much more than a token buffet offering
(Photo: Asaf Rosen)
The hotel complex is also home to Club Marine, a chef-led restaurant operated by Avi Bitton and his partners in the Popular Group. It offers Mediterranean cuisine inspired by restaurants along the European Riviera, with views of the marina. The restaurant is not kosher, and we did not dine there during our visit.
There is also a pleasant lobby bar, Skipper's Bar, where guests can relax over a drink. Anyone looking for a change of menu will find additional restaurants around the marina and nearby. And this is 2026, after all, so even a Wolt delivery courier can reach you. In our case, the hotel's food was good enough that we never felt the need to look elsewhere.
The Yacht hotel: The illuminated swimming pool is a wonderful place to relax after dinner
(Photo: Asaf Rosen)
The following morning, we returned to the dining room for breakfast and were once again impressed. The selection was generous, the food tasty and the presentation carefully considered.
We then squeezed in some more pool time and another walk along the beach, this time heading north. By midday, we were back beside the pool for another meal before reluctantly bringing our stay to an end.
What about families with children?
Despite its upscale and generally peaceful atmosphere, The Yacht is not an adults-only hotel. There is a small children's pool and a well-maintained kids' club called Little Captain, complete with play equipment, a ball pit and arts-and-crafts areas. The club operates on weekends and holidays and, judging by what we saw, appears to cater primarily to younger children.
Still, families considering a stay should manage their expectations. This is not a resort with sprawling lawns, playgrounds around every corner or an extensive schedule of children's activities throughout the day. The public areas are impressive and beautifully maintained, but the overall impression is that the property was designed primarily for guests seeking a relaxing poolside vacation rather than families looking to keep their children entertained from morning until night.
We did not bring our children on this visit, so these observations are based on what we saw rather than a firsthand family experience. Personally, I would choose this hotel first and foremost for a romantic getaway or a vacation with other adults.
Families can certainly enjoy a stay here, particularly those with young children. However, anyone seeking a traditional family resort with expansive grounds and numerous children's activities may find better options elsewhere.
How much does it cost?
The Yacht is a luxury hotel, and its prices reflect that. When I checked Fattal's website on October 20, a one-night stay for two in a suite with a private pool, like the one we occupied, started at 6,120 shekels ($1,958) for the weekend of October 23–24.
A marina-view suite was offered for 4,421 shekels ($1,415) as part of a promotion, including breakfast, while a sea-view suite started at 4,590 shekels ($1,469).
Guests who also want Friday dinner should note that it is not included in the bed-and-breakfast rate and must book a half-board package.
The Yacht hotel: Different rooms offer different views. Pool or marina?
(Photo: Aya Ben Ezri)
A sea-view suite at The Yacht hotel
(Photo: Aya Ben Ezri)
Prices are considerably lower during the week. For selected dates in late October, a deluxe room overlooking the pool was available for 1,785 shekels ($571) for two people, including breakfast, under a promotional offer. The regular starting price was 2,100 shekels ($672).
A marina-view suite started at 2,891 shekels ($925), while a suite with a private pool started at 4,590 shekels ($1,469). Naturally, rates vary depending on the date, room category and promotional offers available when booking.
Some of the extras come at an additional cost. At Kedem Spa, for example, a 50-minute massage costs 620 shekels ($198) per person. The hotel's underground parking garage is extremely convenient, but it costs 75 shekels ($24) for 24 hours.
Is The Yacht worth the money?
That depends on which night you book, which room you choose, your budget and what you expect from a vacation. There is a considerable difference between paying more than 6,000 shekels ($1,920) for a night in a private-pool suite and spending less than 2,000 shekels ($640) on a discounted midweek room.f
In our case, the experience was excellent, from the room and swimming pools to the food, spa and service. Does that justify the price? That is a personal decision, and one that every guest will have to make based on their budget and priorities.
Despite being only 15 minutes from home, we managed to feel as though we had escaped somewhere entirely different for the weekend. That may be The Yacht's greatest achievement: You do not have to travel far from the city to feel completely disconnected from it.
All you need is a comfortable lounge chair overlooking the yachts, something good to drink and a determined effort not to think too much about the bill.
- The writer was a guest of Fattal Hotels Group.