After eight years of extensive planning and construction, the Mivtachim Sanitarium in Zikhron Ya‘aqov, some 40 miles up the coastline from Tel Aviv reopened as the Elma Arts Complex Luxury Hotel. A Brutalist icon reborn as a stunning boutique property and cultural center, the Elma Arts Center Luxury Hotel is nothing if not inspired.
This innovative boutique property is set on the rim of Israel’s Mount Carmel Ridge overlooking vast sloping forests and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. It is the brainchild of Israeli philanthropist and art collector Lily Elstein, whose original dream was to build a cultural center.
The hotel has 95 rooms and suites, and sets a new standard for luxury, with a staff and amenities that cater to guests’ every desire. In the main building, guest rooms of various sizes all offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
Separate from the main building are cottages, each of which can serve as either a two-floor unit with 2 bedrooms or as two independent units for different guests. Each floor has complete facilities and its own entrance.
All of the rooms, in the main building and cottages, are extraordinarily well appointed. Art works invite the eye to linger. And the beauty of the world beyond the walls – the yellow sun, the blue water, and the green plants – is reflected in carefully chosen fabrics and colors.
As captivating as each room is, it may be difficult to take your eyes off the breathtaking views of the sea offered by every balcony and terrace.
Elma (an acronym for Elstein Music and Art) also features two state-of-the-art performance halls, the locally sourced Oratorio restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, and a sumptuous spa.