The Shenkin Hotel is a property owned and operated by Tel Aviv locals. The design is hip and playful, consisting of mismatched letters spelling out inspirational words and phrases in English, gorgeous hardwood floors in several styles, and pops of bold color in the light fixtures and decor accents that make it feel modern. Expect black tufted-leather couches, eclectic furniture, and lots of texture in all the right places. It’s a popular spot for both business travelers and tourists looking to relax with a few good conveniences at their fingertips. From the street, this property looks like a renovated apartment building, save the sliding glass entry doors. It's a non-smoking hotel, but there are a few tables and chairs out on the front patio where smokers convene. Thanks to several freebies, reasonable rates, and a knowledgable staff, it's a favorite among guests. 

Shenkin Hotel has a convenient central location in the city off Brenner Avenue, giving guests good walking and driving distances of under 20 minutes to almost all of Tel Aviv's major attractions and popular areas. The hotel itself is on a quiet, leafy street in a mostly residential neighborhood near a few coffee shops and buildings from the 1930s. 

• Five-minute walk to Carmel Market
• Eight-minute drive to Dizengoff Street
• Nine-minute walk to Rothschild Boulevard
• 10-minute drive to Rabin Square
• 11-minute walk to Jerusalem Beach and boardwalk
• 11-minute drive to Sarona Market
• 12-minute drive to Old Jaffa 
• 12-minute drive to Tel Aviv Port
• 15-minute drive to Ben Yehuda Street
• 24-minute drive to Tel Aviv Airport

The Shenkin's 30 rooms are lovely, featuring beautiful herringbone wood floors, white subway tile, textured metallic wallpaper, and modern, bold pops of color that make sure the rooms feel clean-lined and contemporary. Street art canvas prints add a boutique touch. Beds have comfy Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforters, while stylish bathrooms have black-and-white patterned floor tile, Dead Sea of Spa toiletries, and rainfall showerheads. None of the rooms have balconies, but visitors can expect good water pressure, magnifying mirrors, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. 

Junior Rooms are the smallest of the bunch, equipped with a double bed, and are just big enough for solo travelers. Classic Rooms are slightly larger and have queen-sized beds for double occupancy, spacious peek-a-boo bathrooms with either a shower/tub or shower-only design, and extra perks like bathrobes and a larger, 40-inch flat-screen TV. Superior Rooms also have queens, but are located on higher floors and have extra space to fit a crib or extra bed. Large windows bring in lots of natural light, and bathrooms only have a shower option. Studios sleep up to three and are nearly three times the size of Classic Rooms. These are the only rooms with king-sized beds, and extras like stand-alone deep soaking tubs, Turkish towels, and Nespresso machines. They also have gorgeous parquet wood floors, dual vanities with wooden countertops, and larger closets. 

Two of the best features at this small hotel are the outdoor spaces. They are large, sunny, and decorated with just as much thought as the hotel’s interiors. A large patio area off the lobby has a tiled floor with wooden chairs and cafe tables under the building’s overhang, plus a covered area with cushioned wicker furniture on a faux-grass lawn. The second outdoor space is a 24-hour stylish rooftop terrace, popular for its fantastic views over the city and intimate, relaxing vibe. There are no whirlpool or pool, but guests have their pick of cushioned wicker sunbeds, high tops, loungers, and hanging basket chairs. 

Notable freebies here include local and international phone calls, free bottles of wine for stays over four nights, and 24-hour tea, coffee, and snacks on the patio. Massages and beauty treatments are available in the basement-level spa, where guests get a discount on treatments and couples massages come with the added bonus of a free bottle of cava. Treatment rooms are basic, clean, and contemporary, with a deep tub or walk-in shower. 

Surprisingly, this small boutique also has a 24-hour business center that also functions as a meeting room. Booking this room for conferences comes with a long, natural wood boardroom table with seats for up to 12, a large TV, computer access, printing, copying, and faxing, and free Wi-Fi. 

Free beach towels and umbrellas are up for grabs in the lobby, and beach cruiser bikes with baskets are available for a daily fee. Airport transfers, laundry service, and parking (via an outside company) are also available for added fees. This hotel has a no-pet policy. There’s no restaurant on-site, but guests that book with the breakfast included get vouchers for nearby cafes.