Author Archives: Dan Magazine

Dan Hotels Chain Israel, hosted Indian Prime Minister

The Dan Hotels hosted Indian Prime Minister Narandra Modi on his historic visit to Israel:
The visit, which opened a new phase in Israel-India relations, and the exacting and meticulous preparations that contributed to its success.

The staff at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, who are used to hosting heads of state and high-ranking dignitaries, were keyed up pending the visit of the Indian prime minister, Naranda Modi. The warm and heartfelt reception planned in detail over several months, and the red carpet rolled out at his feet were an expression of the deep empathy Modi commands in Israel. Modi was hosted in the prestigious Jerusalem Suite overlooking the breathtaking view of the old city, the same suite which President Trump had used two months earlier; but this time, in anticipation of Modi’s visit and following requests by his staff, some changes were made to suit the needs and comfort of their prime minister.

On the Red Carpet at the King David Hotel: Mr. Michael Federmann, board of directors chairman at Dan Hotels, welcoming the Prime Minister of India, Narandra Modi

Dan Hotels, King David Jerusalem and Dan Tel Aviv hosted the prime minister and his entourage for the various meetings held during his three-day visit to Israel.
Preparations for the visit were extremely detailed and comprehensive. Extensive experience in hosting heads of state and VIPs was the key to meeting the demands of the various bodies involved in preparation for the visit – Israeli Security Services, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Foreign Office. This led to the speedy resolution of issues such as where to roll out the red carpet, where to place the flags, entrance and exit arrangements for the guests, timing of the elevator etc.
The Indians also did not skimp on preparation. Frequent visits of senior Indian delegations in the preceding months laid the groundwork for the issues on the agenda and helped to plan the event down to the smallest detail.

Warming relationships
“We have waited almost 70 years for this visit,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Indian Prime Minister, Naranda Modi, at the reception ceremony at Ben Gurion airport that kick started the historic visit of the Indian leader in Israel, a visit defined by Modi himself as “groundbreaking”. Another indication that this was an historic visit was Netanyahu’s exceptional decision to accompany Modi throughout almost the entire visit. One might say – the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

A warm handshake in the Royal Suite at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem

The first visit of an Indian prime minister to Israel marked 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but Modi wished to step it up a notch. Since his election in 2014 he has been spearheading economic and social reforms, and his Israel visit was aimed at advancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

The intensive schedule required that all the meetings be conducted within the confines of the hotel, which became a teeming hive of activity and required extensive organization including strict security arrangements in coordination with security forces, preparation of various halls where the discussions and meetings between the Israeli and Indian delegations took place, provision of refreshments during the meetings and more. The complex task was accomplished by the King David staff, under the direction of the general manager Haim Shkedi, with a little help from his friends: due to the high occupancy of the hotel which included, amongst others, guests who had come for the opening event of the Maccabia, it was decided to accommodate some members of the Indian delegation at the Dan Panorama.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu &Indian Prime Minister Naranda Modi at the signing on agreements, at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem

Shkedi notes with great satisfaction that the Indian delegates who were hosted at the Dan Panorama also dined at the King David Hotel, from whose kitchens wafted wonderful aromas of the Indian vegetarian dishes (details below).
Alongside the important economic and security meetings, and an extended work meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi didn’t miss meeting with President Reuven Rivlin at his office, and with opposition leader, Bougie Herzog. But the most moving meeting was with Moshe Holzberg, the 11-year-old boy whose parents, Chabad emissaries, were murdered in 2008 in Mumbai, while he himself was saved by the resourcefulness of his caregiver. “Although chairs were provided for the event, the high level of emotion, the hugging and kissing were such that everyone simply remained on their feet,” says Sheldon Ritz, the hotel’s operations manager.

A strong embrace: an emotional meeting with Moishe, the child who survived the terror attack in Mumbai

Business and a Little Pleasure
Modi spent the last day of his visit at the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. His schedule included a meeting with Israeli and Indian heads of financial companies, a visit to an innovation exhibition especially installed at the hotel and a meeting with Indian students studying in Israel.

But first Bibi and Modi travelled to Olga Beach to view a demonstration of an Israeli developed desalination system, and didn’t miss out on an opportunity to take off their shoes and dip their bare feet in the sea… and to commemorate the occasion with a picture worth a thousand words… business and a little pleasure.
Following the seaside diversion, Bibi and Modi drove to the Dan Tel Aviv where they met with CEOs of Israeli and Indian commercial companies at the inauguration of an Israel-India CEO forum, headed by the president of the Manufacturers Association, Shraga Brosh…
The highlight was the innovation exhibition organized at the hotel, which showcased technological innovations in the fields of energy, health, water and agriculture alongside Indian hi-tech initiatives in these fields – the aim being to encourage cooperation in the private sector between the two countries.

Dan Tel-Aviv Hotel General Manager Itay Eliaz, welcoming the Indian Prime Minister Naranda Modi

The exhibition in the King David Hotel hall included installations of six Israeli and four Indian companies. At the same time, the Indian prime minister was introduced to the first Dan Hotel outside Israel– the DEN Bangalore Hotel, a project of the Dan chain in India. (See boxed caption).
Innovation is the future. Modi’s closing meeting in Israel was also linked to the future. A group of Indian students studying various innovation-related professions met with Modi, and shared their experiences of the Israeli academic world and their aspirations. On completion of their studies they will return to India and contribute, in their various fields, to the fulfillment of Modi’s vision – to tap the enormous potential of India, increase the country’s growth rate, and create new opportunities.

Meat, Fish and Wine – Out
The customs of traditional Indian cuisine present a challenge to Israeli chefs: meat and fish are not included in the menu; vegetables yes, but not all root vegetables; many Indian people abstain from wine; and there are those who fast once a week, or on that day eat only fruit.

After consulting with experts in the field such as the Indian embassy staff and with the chefs of Reena Pushkarna (owner of the Tandoori Restaurant network), the chefs of the King David and Dan Tel Aviv hotels succeeded in creating a rich, varied and entirely vegetarian menu, displaying culinary creativity which drew compliments from Israelis and Indians alike.
With the agreement of the Indians, who showed true consideration of their Israeli colleagues, fish and wine were also served at the table, but this small digression didn’t detract from the overall menu which was prepared according to all the rules of the Indian kitchen.

Lunch at the King David Hotel:
Starters: Kohlrabi ravioli filled with cream of parsnip, Marinated shimeiji mushrooms, Shallots in olive oil and pickled kohlrabi.
Main Course: Wild halibut from the Northern Sea in cashew and lemon thyme crust, Cream of Jerusalem artichoke, Green Vegetables or vegetables filled with burghul majadra, Kale stew.
Desserts: Raspberry consommé, Coconut panna cotta, Fresh cherries, Petits Fours, Coffee, Tea.
Chef: David Biton

Culinary creativity at the King David Hotel: lunch based on purity of vegetarianism

Lunch at the Dan Tel Aviv
Starters: Chapatti bread – tomatoes, jalapeño, olive oil, Crispy zucchini flower filled with black lentils, Eggplant and tomato cream.
Main Course: Baked white grouper fillet with chickpea, yellow curry and coriander stew, Chickpeas in yellow curry and coriander stew on a bed of basmati rice.
Desserts: Jaffa malabi, Watermelon granita and kadaif noodles, Petits Fours
Chef: Oved Alfia

Dan Hotel chain launches a hotel in India: Dan Bangalore
Dan Hotel’s next generation modern luxury hotel is due to open its doors to guests in the fall of 2017, providing an oasis of calm in the fast-growing city of Bangalore, India.

The hotel is expected to be one of Bangalore’s highest quality hotels and will offer guests authentic hospitality, a relaxed ambiance and an informal stay in the heart of India’s thriving high-tech hub.
Tapping into a rich experience in the hospitality sector, the new hotel will be one of the best business hotels in Bangalore, providing luxury accommodation, excellent service, a first-class dining experience and outstanding guest facilities.
With more and more multinationals setting up corporate offices in the city, Bangalore is one of India’s major travel destinations for both business and leisure travelers alike.

Dolphin Secrets

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Did you know that among other things dolphins engage in gossip? That the mother dolphin is one of the most invested moms?
That dolphins call each other by name? The research lab located at the Dolphin Reef in Eilat studies the behavior of the cleverest marine mammal.

Most of us know of the Dolphin Reef in Eilat. There is no doubt that it is one of the most unique places of its kind in the world, with magical views and a harmonious atmosphere between man and nature – a green, flowering oasis. Situated on the city’s breathtaking southern beach, a wooden jetty floats on the sea’s surface, making possible the viewing of dolphins going about their daily routine and the staff working according to a shared ideology — aiming to bring man closer to the environment, while setting a personal example of respect for the surrounding land and sea. The team works out of a constant desire to develop a utopian, unconditional relationship with the animals, based on mutual respect. The reef also has another, lesser known aspect. It is here that leading scientific research on the subject of dolphins and the environment takes place.

Atop an observation tower overlooking the reef, on the edge of a rickety staircase, is a research lab established in the late 1990’s by researchers from the Free University of Berlin. The laboratory studies dolphin behavior, on the one hand, and human behavior, on the other, focusing on the special relationship between dolphins and people. Since its establishment, the laboratory has attracted researchers from around the world and has gained popularity as a research destination of choice. Today, the lab operates under the auspices of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, serving the students – undergraduates and graduates alike – of the marine biology program.

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A wide range of research is carried out at the reef. For example, researchers observed the relationship between mothers and pups and found that parental supervision is intensive and direct. Since dolphins breathe air, they must rise to the surface now and again. An adult dolphin can hold its breath and swim underwater for long periods of time, ranging from five minutes to half an hour.The pup is, of course, unable to do so, and must, therefore, rise to the surface to breathe every minute or two. Dolphin pups mimic their mothers in swimming underwater and buoyancy, and the mother signals to the pup when to dive and when to rise for air. It is for this reason that the mother shortens her underwater sojourns and tracks the pup’s breathing all day long, every day and night without rest, for nearly a year.

The Dolphin Reef in Eilat City

Another study examined dolphin curiosity and found that dolphins are information collectors, even if it is of no use to them, including information sought solely for the purpose of gossip. At the end of each feeding, for instance, dolphins swim and sniff out what the others have received. When the researchers increased the amount of food given to all dolphins, some didn’t finish their food and checked out if their friends had also received bigger portions.

Sounds of dolphins
Another research project studies the experience of human visitors to the dolphin reef, as well as the dolphins’ experience when people visit the reef and observe them. One of the special programs carried out at the dolphin reef provides psychological support for children challenged by emotional and communication problems – support provided with the help of dolphins. A study carried out by Sophie Donio as part of her graduate studies showed that this unique program brought about an emotional and cognitive improvement in the participating children. Sophie is currently trying to identify and distinguish between the dolphins’ influence and the impact of the water activities and personal relationships that develop between the instructors and the patients.

Alongside Israeli students, Tan Morgan from Scotland is also carrying out research on dolphin voices as part of her doctoral studies. Tan, whose advisor is Dr. Kirschenbaum of the University of Cambridge, is herself an advisor of an undergraduate student for his marine biology and biotechnology research project. Their research focuses on dolphin communication and the effects of noise emitted by boats on this sonar communication. Dolphins, for example, call each other by name. A recent fascinating finding is that dolphins “speak of” and refer by name to dolphins that aren’t around or even those that have died.

Dolphin Therapy
The academic activity at the reef is not limited to research. Unique courses on the subject of dolphin biology and dolphin therapy are taught at the research lab. The courses are designed for undergraduate marine biology and biotechnology students and for psychology students at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Eilat Campus, blending studies on dolphin therapy with other areas of dolphin studies (physiology, sight, dolphin identification, diving skills of marine mammals, and more). The best lecturers in the field, all with extensive experience and pioneers in the area, teach these courses.

An additional course aimed at students and practitioners, both from Israel and abroad, has become the byword in the field. Not only do animal-assisted therapists and dolphin trainers attend, but also those managing facilities which house dolphins and directors of dolphin study programs from around the world.
If you plan to visit the dolphin reef, to enjoy the magical tranquility reigning there, to watch the dolphins and maybe even swim with them, you can now, with advance notice, also join tours of the research laboratory.

To coordinate a research lab tour, please contact Royee at (054) 816-3634.

Dan Hotels offers you two hotels in Eilat, Experience the delights of the Red Sea coral reefs, while staying in unrivaled luxury at the Dan Eilat and the Dan Panorama Eilat hotel.

Traditional Beverages Tour in Jerusalem

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A tour in the footsteps of Jerusalem’s traditional beverages has a lot to teach us about their connection with the place and its geography. Come and taste Sus juice.

Sus juice

It is always fascinating to take a tour of Jerusalem, but not many of us get to sit in a traditional café at the heart of the Old City, with that old-times atmosphere, and listen to legends about the virtues of various beverages while sipping strong, Turkish coffee and playing backgammon.

This special experience is part of a tour initiated by the Tower of David Museum that traces Jerusalem’s traditional beverages in their local and geographical context. If you like – another way of getting to know the glass half-full.

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The warm Mediterranean climate contributed to the development of many traditional drinks throughout history. In Jerusalem, these were special beverages such as the Tamarindi, Shkedim (almond juice), Haruvim (Carob juice) and Sus (liquorice juice), each with its unique history and virtues.

Jerusalem’s traditional drinks can teach us a lot about the local community. People have always been wise to utilize the available raw materials for home and industrial production of food and beverages.

Through the local, traditional beverages we can get to know the land’s produce and the taste preferences of its inhabitants. Edna Asis, content developer at the Tower of David Museum, explains that “a significant part of our identity is manifested through food, beverages and the customs that accompany their production and consumption.

Today we look back in nostalgia on the traditional cafés that are disappearing, together with the traditional drinks. Food is attached to memories of the past. Today we are experiencing a digital revolution which is shaking the foundations of our existence, and as a reaction, people want to return to their grandparents’ food.”

Some of the traditional beverages cannot be found today, partly because industrial beverages have taken their place. However, some traditional foods and beverages have survived the dramatic changes brought about by technological revolutions in the food and beverages industry.

To your health!

Many virtues are attributed to the thirst-quenching carbo juice: it is excellent for digestion and may help in cases of cough and for the treatment of the respiratory system. Almond juice is thick and sweet, rich in calcium and vitamins and smells wonderfully.

The exotic sweet and sour Tamarhindi which came to Jerusalem from India through Egypt is used in many spice mixtures, and effectively treats inflammations and disturbances to the digestive system.

One of Jerusalem’s most popular drinks is the Sus, made up of liquorice (a perennial that can be found in Jewish texts as early as the third century). In Jerusalem’s jargon it is called Bamblik. Liquorice has been used extensively for the preparation of foods, beverages, medicine and even Tabaco.

The local population used the plant’s root for the manufacturing of chewing gum, as a supplement for Tabaco, for the preparation of candy, as well as to spice up alcoholic beverages like the Arak.

The plant was also useful for various medicinal purposes: as an antipyretic, for the treatment of kidney, stomach and liver problems, as well as cough and throat pain. Today we can still find licorice sticks in the city’s markets, in the Old City, as well as in Machane Yehuda and in Ramle.

Of the plant’s many uses, the Sus beverages was very wide spread. Its taste is very sweet – in fact so sweet, that any drink you will have next will seem very sweet as well. After drinking Sus, a lingering sense of moisture remains in the throat.

The Arabs in Jerusalem drink Sus at the time of the Ramadan fast, in order to ease the sense of thirst. At the Shechem Gate you can still find the Sus merchant in his traditional outfit, carrying a copper jar from which he skillfully pours the Sus.

As part of the City Drinkers series which deals with Jerusalem’s unique beverages throughout history, the tour begins in the Tower of David Museum and passes through the Old City’s authentic food stands, shops and cafés. Other tours in the series follow Jerusalem’s wine industry, visit the old-time cafés where the budding state leaders would confer, and offer a tasty visit to the Herzl, Shapiro and Busters beer breweries.

The Tower of David Museum holds various tours for individuals, groups and on special order, for more information visit www.tod.org.il or call 02-6265333.

Pop Art Gallery at Dan Tel-Aviv Hotel

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Iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn are featured in works of art created by Pop Art artist Dganit Blechner.

International pop art artist Dganit Blechner, whose works are exhibited and sold all over the world, has opened, together with her husband, Ronnie Blechner, a distinguished gallery in the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel.

Dganit creates captivating, highly colorful and emotive pop art in compositions that are unique and have earned her international recognition. Her inspiration of pop art derives from figures such as Warhol, Lichtenstein and Haring. Other artists who have influenced her artistic career also include Frida Kahlo.

Her works of celebrity icons include Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn and Paul Newman, along with urban collages from around the world.
Some of her works are originals whilst others are produced in limited editions with a low number of copies.

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Prices range from $100 for a signed and numbered print up to $15,000 for a large triptych.
Dganit and Ronnie (who studied film and television at Tel Aviv University) have together combined clips of video art in Dganit’s works that are an integral part of, and complement her creations. By doing so they were among the first to present works of this kind in commercial galleries.

Dganit harmoniously combines media and other three dimensional technologies in her works that include semi-transparent fabrics, magnets, wood and Plexiglas.

In addition to the gallery in the Dan Tel Aviv hotel, her works are exhibited in the Jerusalem Arta Gallery and the Art Market Gallery located in Tel Aviv port. Over the years her works have been exhibited in a number of prestigious art galleries worldwide.

In recent years Dganit regularly participates in exhibitions in New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, and is exclusively exhibited in the U.K. by The Linda Blackstone Gallery.

Her works win favorable press reviews, such as the one published in The U.K. Sunday Guardian, “Blechner’s biggest achievement is that of economy, like Warhol, she communicates the fragility and the allure of Monroe in the same breath, and that too without breaking the structural integrity of her work…”

Dganit Blechner Gallery & Miss D Gallery
99 Hayarkon St. Tel Aviv, Tel: 03-6812727

Dan Panorama Haifa: Something New is in the Air

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Executive Bay View Suite

Relaxation and tranquility are the hallmarks of the design of the new executive rooms at the Dan Panorama Haifa. Embrace the ambience.

The modest entrance to the Dan Panorama Haifa belies the experience awaiting guests inside the hotel, which, according to Adi Maor, General Manager Dan Hotels, Northern Region, is “the largest hotel on the coastline from Tel Aviv to Rosh Hanikra.”

Over the years, the hotel, standing 21 stories above the Carmel Ridge, has become one of the notable landmarks of Haifa, commanding a superb 360 degree panoramic view, from the Mediterranean beaches, Haifa Bay, to the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon.

The view was, and still remains the outstanding feature of the Dan Panorama Haifa, but this time attention is directed inward to the design revolution in the 56 executive rooms, to be followed by an additional 110 rooms which will be completed by the end of 2017.

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The hotel was designed in the mid 80’s by Heinz Fenchal, one of the leading architects of the time. In the present renovations we decided to preserve select details from the original design, such as the recurring striped motif found in the corridors and in the rooms, (diagonal lines on the bed panel suggest rays of the sun) and the centrally hung geometric lighting fixture .

“Here are juxtaposed two contrasting concepts”, says Maor. “On the one hand, retro motifs are found in the contemporary design, and on the other hand, the room has rocketed 30 years ahead.”

A Relaxed and Tranquil Ambience

Executive Bay

“We can say that the new design is not some new trendy fashion that may soon fade, but rather a long term style concept which will be relevant for years to come,” says Maor.” I want to give the guests the feeling that there has been a kind of shake-up.

” When you enter the room you can’t help immediately noticing the dramatic changes. Utilizing symmetric design and a palette of monochromatic shades of grey and white with touches of orange, the Dan Hotel chain team of architects has succeeded in giving the room an innovative look, creating a pleasing ambience of tranquility and relaxation, and the anticipation that your vacation is about to begin.

Alongside the relaxing colors, the furnishings are new and exciting –truly the latest word in interior design: modern contemporary furniture, wooden accents finished in two contrasting shades of veneer, and the soft-closing doors and drawers contribute to the calm and relaxing atmosphere while the repositioning of the bed makes the room seem even more spacious.

Another change, in the spirit of the times, is the safe- now large enough to hold a laptop.
Now three types of LED lights provide the perfect solution for every situation – one concealed behind the curtains, another to bathe the room in a soft and gentle glow, and the third – the focused reading lights. Lithographs by artists Yaakov Agam and Michael Argov, adorn the walls to add the final touch.

The bathroom, renovated separately two years ago, blends harmoniously with the new room displaying sophisticated design features such as: a glass entrance door, hidden LED lighting, a dim night light, and of course a luxurious integrated sink, marble top and mirror.

Another refreshing change: remember the hairdryer attached permanently to the bathroom wall? Well, the dryer has declared its independence and is now found in the cupboard allowing fully flexible use.

A Wonderful and Worthwhile Vacation

Dan Panorama Haifa is the perfect combination of city and resort hotel, offering excellent opportunities for couples or a family holiday.

The hotel is part of the Panorama Center, a beautiful, modern shopping and entertainment center in Haifa. One of Israel’s most sophisticated fitness and sports centers is located in the hotel, and along with the swimming pool is available free of charge to hotel guests.

The lobby and revamped bar overlooking the incredible view of Haifa Bay, offer a rich and varied menu, selection of drinks and a pleasant, warm, and friendly atmosphere.

The location of the hotel, in the heart of the Carmel, above the Panorama Center and opposite the Gan Ha’em Park, offers easy access to coffee bars, restaurants, and high-quality stores.

Additional Haifa attractions are also within walking distance: the Bahai temple, the cinematèque, the renovated Haifa zoo and more. The adjacent Carmelit cable car station facilitates easy access to additional sites in Haifa.

bahá’í gardens

A summer holiday in the hotel is the preferred option for many families, thanks to the reasonable prices, the proximity to attractions many of which are free to hotel guests, and activities provided by the entertainment team all day long, just like Eilat…

Dan Eilat Renewal: All the Colors of Vacation

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The redesign of the Dan Eilat guest rooms continues the unique style of the hotel: a vacation ambience welcoming the guests in all its rooms and open spaces.

“We spent four years thinking about it and created a variety of model rooms, since we very much wanted to retain our own special style and the softness of the colors of vacation, but at the same time find a way to update the décor from the 1990s to 2020 without losing our identity,” says Dan Eilat General Manager, Lior Mucznik.

He was referring to the completion of the first phase of the hotel’s refurbishment of 124 rooms, costing about ILS 15 million. When the project is finally finished and all the rooms and hallways are redone, the total investment will be about three times that amount.

Family Room

In this first stage, all room categories (Standard, Executive, Deluxe and Family) on five floors have been totally renovated, including improved bathroom lighting and accessories – all in keeping with the hotel’s own special resort ambience.

Situated on Eilat’s North Beach and designed as a contemporary desert oasis, the Dan Eilat opened in 1995, and Mucznik believes that its décor preceded its time: ensconced architectonic forms and images, and a variety of interesting, colorful design elements that offer a message of welcome, their singularly lighthearted tone inviting guests to fully enjoy their vacation.

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Developed on a 54,000m² plot of land, this unconventional hotel was designed by world-renowned Hospitality Designer Asam Tihany, its furnishings and accessories were selected and positioned with meticulous care, with an eye to emphasizing the special and out-of-the-ordinary. Tihany wanted to create a hotel unlike any other, with innovative, playful rooms that exude a lighthearted vacation feeling.

Sea Blue: Desert Yellow

In upgrading the very spacious rooms, which feature a balcony overlooking the sea and the swimming pool areas, due respect was paid to the original design and to maintaining its core elements of elegance, opulence and of course, maximum comfort.

Natural, soft materials were employed, and the color scheme, a combination of marine turquoise and blue and desert yellow, reflect the breathtaking hues of the surrounding landscape to emphasize the blending of the interior with the exterior.

The rooms are wallpapered in a combination of turquoise and white; a voile curtain highlighting wave elements filters out the sun’s rays, and the landscape hues have also been incorporated into a carpet boasting a geometric design.

A mirror in the shape of a sail and unique lighting fixtures resembling seashells are also elements of the décor – all with an eye to introducing a sense of the sea into the rooms. Asymmetric design has received pride of place too; the bed backboard has been padded to accentuate its curved shape, and the rounded gypsum ceilings radiate a lighthearted sense of vacation.

In addition, each room features an original painting by Israeli Artist Natan Yosef, who lives in New York and whose colorful, eclectic artistic creations also adorn the lobby. Wooden elements are found in a grey, modern veneer, adorned with metal handles of various lengths, and original textiles of geometric design were created especially for the hotel.

The hotel’s joyful, liberated resort feel reverberates in the design of the corridors too, where brightly colored, geometrically patterned original carpeting blends in with the walls’ different colors.

Dan Eilat

As Mucznik explains it: “The Dan Eilat, with its unique design, is a very dominant edifice; it certainly isn’t standard. You could move some hotels in Eilat, to Tel Aviv, and they would blend in with the scenery. We define the Dan Eilat as the ultimate resort hotel, and the only way we could have changed its dominant décor would have been to rebuild it, and that is something we did not want to do.”

While the renovated rooms were completely refurbished, some specific existing design elements – the rotating trapezoid mirror, rounded lines and special lighting fixtures that guests remember and that characterize the hotel – were very skillfully integrated into the new look by the Dan Hotels’ team of architects, who understood the spirit of the hotel.

The truth is, hotel guest feedback emphasizes over and over again that despite the fact that everything is new, there is no mistaking the feeling that this is still the same Dan Eilat.

Dan Eilat for a Family Holiday

The Dan Eilat has earned renown both at home and abroad for the quality of it cuisine, and the pinnacle of its culinary excellence is best evident at breakfast, which features no less than 97 meters of buffets filled with 100 different items, including vegan options and a hot buffet too: “When Dan Eilat is mentioned, its culinary excellence is what first comes to mind.”

Though recognized as a prestigious conference venue, the Dan Eilat, with its three active children’s clubs – one for infants and another for youngsters age 11 and older – is the ideal choice for a family holiday.

According to Mucznik, the hotel does not operate in-house entertainment teams, preferring instead, to focus on large-scale kids’ programs and happenings, especially on holidays and over the summer. “We start working on our summer programs in spring, when we start reaching agreements with well-known artists,” Mucznik reveals.

“For example, the Orna Porat Children’s Theater will be featured throughout most of this summer. We’ve realized that we don’t really need in-house entertainment teams. What interests parents most, is keeping their offspring occupied, so we decided to develop scheduled activities in a focused, quality program.

We find this preferable to investing in activities that are cramped, inefficient and unattractive.”

Club Room- Jacuzzi

The Dan Eilat has received a 5-star-plus rating by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the highest awarded. Also, it ranked in first place for all parameters in Marketest’s latest survey of Eilat hotels.

Renewal of The Dan Accadia Herzliya

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The momentum of renewal at the Dan Accadia, Herzliya is in full swing. Rooms, suites and the hotel’s public areas have just undergone massive renovations, redesigned in colors inspired by the hues of the sea.

Located on the Herzliya coast, the Dan Accadia, one of our flagship hotels, stands out thanks to its unique character. The home-style look of the building with its red-shingled roof, designed by Architect Joseph Wittkower in the 1950s, emphasizes its presence as an oasis of tranquility within the teeming urban setting of Herzliya’s shoreline and high-tech district.

From the day it opened its doors, the Dan Accadia has combined vacation and business, and has now set new standards for luxury Israeli properties. It has always found ways to upgrade and improve in order to maintain its status as one of the most exciting, pampering hotels in the entire Middle East.

As part of this recent upgrade momentum and in preparation for this Passover, 117 of the hotel’s rooms and suites have been completely refurbished, as were the public areas. It was a project of immense proportions, as far as hotels go.

The complex logistics for the renovations were supervised by Dan Accadia General Manager Dubi Rakia, who carefully monitored the progress of renovations in the main building while also taking care to isolate the hotel’s other wings, so that guest could still enjoy the ideal, undisturbed stay they have come to expect.

Upgrading the Hospitality Experience

“After we had renovated our Garden rooms, it was time to deal with the different types of accommodation options in our main building – the Herzliya Deluxe and Family rooms, and the suites too, each with a sea view,” Dubi Rakia says.

“This was not just a ‘cosmetic’ change – the rooms were stripped right down to the concrete. We replaced and/or added air-con systems, constructed new, fully equipped bathrooms, applying innovative design concepts that upgrade the hospitality experience, such as a bathroom outfitted with a large window overlooking the sea, to heighten the sense of space in the room.”

Along with the dramatic architectural changes, the rooms were reequipped with new elements such as a bar unit complete with an espresso machine and a mini-bar, and a high-quality bed to pamper guests with a tranquil night’s sleep. Deluxe rooms feature an additional, convertible sleeping unit that can sleep an extra guest in maximum comfort.

While turning to the most cutting-edge innovations in the world of interior design, the Dan Accadia has also gone to great lengths to preserve its past heritage, maintaining its unique sandstone wall covering, on the one hand, one of the hotel’s trademark images, which continues to adorn the corridor walls.

On the other hand, communications technology was taken to the next level, as part of the upgrade, and Wi-Fi will be available in all rooms and suites, via Access Point, offering guests a distinct and important advantage – business guests too, many of whom have adopted the Dan Accadia as their second home.

Three Spaces – One Harmony

The Yaron Tal studio, which specializes in open spaces, was put in charge of the architectural design of three public spaces – the dining room and the Nof Yam and Exodus event halls.

“Until now these spaces were all rather ‘heavy’. Everything was turned inward”, says Tal, “Our goal was to open up the space to the sea, in terms of the materials, the atmosphere and the furnishings.

The idea was to lighten everything up and create a new architecture for a new space, well-lit, youthful, Mediterranean. The new west-facing windows now offer a spectacular sea view. The marine motif is highlighted in the carpets that were specially printed in Belgium with a design exclusive to the Dan Accadia.

The furniture combines wood and metal in shades of sand, gold and turquoise. Smart LED lighting is synchronized with the sunset to create the best possible combination of natural and artificial light. Even though each of the spaces has its own particular character, all three exude a shared harmony.”

Hotel guests can now enjoy their meals in the more youthful, modern décor of the dining rooms. The dining halls’ new equipment is considered state-of-the-art, with the world’s most advanced refrigerated and chilled server buffets, chef’s stations where food is prepared in front of diners and a barista station where guests are treated to high-quality coffee.

It is worth noting in this regard, that the Dan Accadia staff took first place in the Dan Hotels barista competition.

Summer at Dan Accadia

Many guests of Dan Accadia – tourists in particular – are return customers from Britain, France, Switzerland and America, people who come to enjoy a wonderful summer holiday that is a blend of sun, fun and sports.

There’s nothing quite like the experience of going for a swim in the hotel pool (surrounded by a wood-covered suntan area and pleasing rest areas), or heading down to the well-kempt beach adjacent to the hotel, for a dip in the sea. For sports-loving guests, the Dan Accadia offers six flood-lit tennis courts, while guests on the lookout for pampering are sure to appreciate the Accadia Spa with its assortment of health treatments and relaxing massages.

And there is Danyland, the children’s club, for the Dan Accadia’s younger guests, which features a variety of computer and other electronic games, and a wealth of activities and challenges, overseen by professional counselors – a wonderful experience for the kids, while their parents enjoy some peace and quiet.

Sound and Taste at the Dan Eilat

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For the fifth time, the Dan Eilat Hotel hosted the Eilat Chamber Music Festival. Guests enjoyed first class music, pampering hospitality and a surprising culinary experience

Photos: Aran Dolev

In the winter, Eilat becomes a city of music festivals. Of these, the Chamber Music Festival is one of the most exciting, attracting musicians of international stature to the city.

In February the Dan Hotel Eilat hosted the international festival with a rich and varied program, featuring virtuoso violinist Viktoria Mulova who joined the Geneva Camerata in a performance of classical works by Mozart, Haydn and others.

Additional performances in the festival included the Gabrieli Consort – one of the most important and world renowned baroque ensembles, the French Van Kiujk String Quartet – winners of the 2015 Haydn and Beethoven competition, child prodigy pianist Alexander Malofeev, Alon Olearchik and the String Trio, and especially for the kids, a family comedy show on the life and works of Mozart with the clown Fyodor Makarov.

Save a room now at Dan Hotels in Eilat >>

For the fifth consecutive year the Dan Hotel chain was the official host and chief sponsor of the festival. The exclusive opening cocktail reception at the Dan Eilat Hotel in the presence of the Eilat mayor, Meir Itzhak Halevi, was hosted by Raffi Sadeh, CEO Dan Hotel chain, and Lior Mucznik General Manager of the Dan Hotel Eilat. It was attended by some 300 chamber music aficionados.

Among the many distinguished guests were Micky Federman, Chairman and controlling share holder of Dan Hotels and his wife Liora, Ami Federman, Dan Hotels Vice Chairman, the Dan Hotel senior management and the festival management board headed by Leonid Rosenberg.

In his greetings Raffi Sadeh, noted, “The Dan Hotel chain is a committed champion of art and culture in Israel, so it is natural for us to partner with the leading classical music festival in Israel”

Barcelona meets Eilat

Alongside the musical experience, festival guests were in for a culinary surprise: an opening cocktail reception and dinner orchestrated by chefs Ofir Kedem of the Dan Eilat and David Biton from the King David.

The highlight was a breakfast inspired by La Boqueria, the famous market in Barcelona. Top patissiers and chefs in the Dan Hotel chain teamed up to create and present a menu based on the special dishes characteristic of the market.

“The idea was to bring the vitality, abundance and exuberant atmosphere of the Boqueria market to the hotel,” explains Cochi Roth, one of the Dan Hotels’ designers, who, together with chef Ofir Kedem, was responsible for this special event.

The hall, which is usually used as a night club, was completely transformed: we drew back the curtains, let the light flood in, and built a market! Booths made of compressed cardboard and wooden platters offered an abundance of market goods – from crates of segmented fruit to oils and condiments in glistening bottles.

A juice booth serving freshly squeezed juice stood alongside stalls laden with mounds of fruit, coffee stands and baked goods.”

During breakfast a guitar player, flamenco dancers, and even a street artist painting landscapes of Barcelona completed the ambience (thanks to artist Sergei Moskolenko, one of the hotel stewards, who speaks no Hebrew, but expresses himself perfectly through his wonderful brush strokes).

During the festival, the guests were able to view a unique art exhibition by Nevo Afek, a visually impaired local high school student who is on the autistic spectrum. Nevo’s achievements show how determination, perseverance and love can overcome difficulties and turn them into challenges.

Nevo’s artistic talent is revealed in his paintings through the use of bold expressive colors intertwined with fine lines in a fascinating duality.

“From year to year the demand grows for the different concerts, and for the vacation packages which include concert tickets,” concludes Lior Mucznik, General Manager of the hotel. “The combination of outstanding music and the culinary experience has turned the festival into an exceptional and unique event.”

Hasta la vista. See you again next year

To your health!

Dganit Blechner Gallery & Miss D Gallery 99 Hayarkon St. Tel Aviv, Tel: 03-6812727

A Relaxed and Tranquil Ambience

Sea Blue: Desert Yellow

Upgrading the Hospitality Experience

Barcelona meets Eilat

Dganit Blechner Gallery & Miss D Gallery
99 Hayarkon St. Tel Aviv, Tel: 03-6812727