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Saar Zafrir Design unveils the Galei Kinneret Hotel, a beachised resort on the Sea of Galilee

Garden Room with Jacuzzi.

The design concept of the 123-room luxury hotel is rooted in the ancient ruins discovered on the land of Tiberias, ushering in a new era of hospitality to the historical region in Northern Israel.

ISRAEL – London-based design studio Saar Zafrir Design, has unveiled its latest project, the Galei Kinneret Hotel; a restored 123-room hotel situated on the historical Sea of Galilee in Northern Israel. Initially built in 1946, the original Galei Kinneret was one of Israel’s first luxury hotels founded by entrepreneur Lotte Eisenberg, inspired by a trip to the magnificent Villa d’Este Hotel in Lake Como. Having been appointed to fully redesign the uninhabited hotel, Saar Zafrir Design has drawn inspiration from the ancient ruins discovered on-site, and reworked the charm of Lotte’s vision into a seamless design concept that blends the hotel into the natural landscape. The result is one of the most highly anticipated new openings on Israel’s hospitality scene.
 
Honouring Lotte Eisenberg’s innovative vision and the discovery of the archeological remains on the land, Saar Zafrir has drawn on these historical references to determine the narrative of the hotel, which celebrates the property’s long-standing history. Manifesting a clean, white structure, the hotel’s facade has been kept very much the same, and the interior of the hotel has been transformed into a calm oasis that ushers guests seamlessly towards the still waters and spectacular views across the Sea of Galilee. Emanating a sophisticated and serene atmosphere, the remodelled hotel features a neutral colour palette and the use of natural materials that compliment the hotel’s natural surroundings.
 
The hotel encompasses 123 spectacular rooms and suites with outdoor jacuzzis, presenting either a view of the vast mountainous landscape or Sea of Galilee. Further facilities include an indoor and outdoor bar, swimming pool, outdoor yoga deck, restaurant, spa, fully equipped gym, private beach and boat and a synagogue for guest use. Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by a minimal, open space characterised by 3-dimensional graphic stone cladded walls, glossy marble flooring and elegant reception desks finished with marble and wood. The foyer of the hotel was kept intentionally clean and quiet, with the intention of the space to draw guests straight through the property, as a corridor to the Sea of Galilee. Championing the use of natural materials and tones, the hotel lobby offers a comfortable lounge area with wood panelled walls, parquet flooring and soft linen upholstered sofas with wooden accents. 
 
Managing the hotel’s restoration from concept to completion, 90% of the hotel’s fixtures and furnishings have been designed and custom made in-house by Saar Zafrir Design, to perfectly compliment the creative vision. Saar Zafrir said: “I have such fond memories growing up and spending my summers on the Kinneret that despite not generally working in Israel, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work on a project that carried so much sentimental value to me. The area has been lacking in attention for some while, but with the relaunch of this iconic hotel, we believe Tiberias will once again become a leading destination for both domestic and international tourists to Israel having set a new standard of hospitality in Northern Israel”.
 
Through a smooth, cohesive wooden walkway, guests are led from the hotel lobby into the restaurant “Lotte”, named after Ms. Eisenberg herself. Presenting a menu honouring Lotte’s European roots merged with the flavours of Jerusalem, Michelin star awarded chef Asaf Granit (of Shabour and Balagan in Paris, Machne Yehuda in Jerusalem and The Palomar and Coal Office in London) is the mastermind behind this new culinary concept that captures the spirit of the original founder. Committed to working only with local farmers and suppliers, Lotte restaurant is a celebration of Israel's delicious, fresh and abundant produce grown between the Galilee Mountains and Golan Heights, with a menu offering dishes of fish, meat and fresh garden flavours. An interpretation of what Saar Zafrir saw in the chef’s work, the space is vibrantly refined, with organic tones and the use of natural materials featuring parquet wood flooring, wood and rattan fixtures and floral upholstered accents that decorate the space. The main design features are the large archways covered in ceramic tiles in different shades of green, that climb up the walls and across the ceiling like leaves that gently disperse towards the glass wall leading out to the hotel’s private beach.
 
Overlooking the hotel’s private beach is an outdoor restaurant, sunlounger-lined swimming pool and cosy outdoor bar for guests to unwind at the water’s edge. Grounding the hotel to its historic roots, works by Israeli sculpturist Yuval Lufen that manifest the archaeological remains found on the site have been implanted beneath the glass-bottomed swimming pool, with the original ruins currently preserved by the Antiquities Authority in Israel. At the foot of the pool, guests are invited to enjoy a drink and shelter from the sun beneath a huge tree-like structure by artist Gilad Keinan. The inspiration for creating this aluminium tree came from Zafrir’s experience at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, resulting in a an exceptional monument that combines both design with practicality – the sprawling leaves that overstretch the circular bar offer much needed shade from the blazing heat during the summer months.
 
Galei Kinneret Hotel Sundeck & Bar
Each of the 123 rooms feature parquet wood flooring and off-white panelled walls, with a soothing palette of natural and organic tones. Offering either a view of the mountainous landscape or the Sea of Galilee, the sophisticated and tasteful rooms are intended to compliment the hotel’s surroundings for a harmonious experience that connects the guests to nature. The rooms champion the use of natural materials with ample light flooding through large windows, and bathrooms finished head-to-toe in pale, veined marble and gold accents. 
 
The Galei Kinneret Hotel is located at 1 Eliezer Kaplan Street, Tiberias, and is now officially open to the public.
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Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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