I have recently had 2 short stays at both the Dan Tel Aviv and Dan Eilat hotels. These are both top of the range prestige hotels of the Dan group. I was amazed to find such a difference between these two supposedly 5 star hotels. Firstly I should point out that the cost of one night in the Dan Tel Aviv for bed and breakfast is only slightly less than 2 nights bed and breakfast plus buffet dinner and return flights by Arkia at the Dan Eilat. I think this confirms what many previous reviewers have suggested that the Dan Tel Aviv is priced too high. While on the subject of cost, it might be worthwhile noting that in the Dan Tel Aviv if you by mistake use a plastic bottle of water they charge an exorbitant price whereas the glass bottles of water are free; at the Dan Eilat the plastic bottles are free. The Dan Tel Aviv no longer provides free newspapers; the Dan Eilat does. I was very surprised that the Dan Tel Aviv has no blankets or duvets in the room. We had to request two; they only delivered one and we had to request a second one. Quality five star hotels normally have something in the rooms during the cold weather. The Dan Eilat is very well staffed compared to the Dan Tel Aviv. For instance, there were 4-5 clerks at reception at the Dan Eilat but only one at Dan Tel Aviv. Some would say that comparisons are odious but I would suggest that the comparisons I have outlined of these 2 suposedly first class hotels, the Dan Eilat is far superior to the Dan Tel Aviv.Maybe the manager of the Dan Tel Aviv should visit the Dan Eilat to see how to manage a prestige hotel efficiently.The ''Best of the best” rating for the Dan Eilat is fully warranted whereas the Dan Tel Aviv is a long way off achieving this honoured status. Years ago the Dan Tel Aviv used to offer a daily first class business lunch. They stopped offering this after a 50% increase in price killed the demand. They also used to offer a splendid Saturday lunch which they have also stopped. I sincerely hope that my review may encourage the management to follow the example of their sister hotel and improve the service and value that they offer their customers.
The front desk is very helpful, especially Edwin. Whenever you need any help, you can always ask for more information and they are patient to answer you friendily. The room is clean and the toilet is fine (shared toilet). The room is a bit small and not much facilities but with this budget in Tel Aviv, what can you say! It's very reasonable and good price! I enjoy the service here. What a hostel.
After a nightmare journey we arrived at this absolute hole in the wall (literally) after midnight. Greeted by the rudest man I’ve ever met who initially refused to even open the security gate to let us off the street. He began by saying we’re to late, he gave our room (a seven night booking) to someone else when we hadn’t arrived, this despite there being no number available to call. Then he changed to there was no booking! The power cut out, plunging us into absolute darkness, freaking my daughter to the point she was crying, to which this charming character said tell her to shut up people are asleep! He then told us there was nothing he could do and we had to leave. I sh*t you not! A mother, 55 and 5’ tall with her 16 year old daughter, he turned us out onto the street at about 03:00. But before he could he had to get a knife to force the security gate as the power outage had damaged the locking release mechanism. He seemed less than thrilled when I asked him what would happen if there had been a fire. So here we are on the streets of Tel Aviv at 03:00 in the morning, cases and about an ounce of sanity left. Cars pulled up to the bus stop we’d sat at and offered us rides. I don’t think they meant a taxi service, other night walkers slammed the side of the bus shelter and others just stared with a tinge of malice. I was very afraid. After trying several other hotels in the area, walking from one to the other rather than sitting as bait, we finally (05:00) found a room in the Maxim Hotel one street over. I hope Mr Central Hotel (with the nasty toes) your Willy falls off into the toilet and your fingers shrivel up.