Arrival/Check-in: We landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv at 7 a.m. and headed to the Dan Caesarea Hotel with plans to check in and spend the afternoon exploring the ancient city and ruins. Although we arrived several hours early, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing met us and ensured our rooms would be available before the standard check-in time. Because departing guests were completing their check-out, the process took a bit longer than usual, but we were delighted to be settled quickly enough to head out and enjoy Caesarea that afternoon.
Guest Quarters: Our accommodations were in room 110, a pool-view suite located at the end of the hallway — typically a sign of a larger room and better views. The property shows some signs of age and could benefit from modest updates, but everything in the room worked well and was comfortable. A convenient workstation sat to the left as you entered; I set up there to handle some urgent emails. The desk included a decorative orchid and a telephone. The only missing element for me was a pivoting office chair to improve comfort during longer work sessions.
Beyond the workstation, the suite featured a large sofa, an armchair and a coffee table, which made for a pleasant spot for pre-dinner drinks. The master bathroom down the hallway offered a shower-and-tub combination and provided all necessary toiletries. Adjacent to the bathroom, a spacious closet/dressing room included a secure safe for valuables, which proved useful.
The bedroom was furnished with a king-sized bed and bedside tables and opened onto a balcony overlooking the pool. The balcony was equipped with two chaise longues, two chairs and a small table — a thoughtful touch that added to the room’s relaxation potential.
Services/Amenities: Bathroom amenities were Dan-branded and included shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and lotion. Breakfast in the main dining area was varied and satisfying, and we enjoyed a pleasant dinner at C-Bar in the lobby; our waiter was professional, friendly and offered helpful wine suggestions. The hotel provides several dining options, including a buffet in the Caesar Hall.
One notable advantage of the Dan Caesarea is its association with the Caesarea Golf Club, Israel’s only 18-hole course, redesigned by Pete Dye in 2007. The golf course has roots going back to 1961 and forms part of the Rothschild-Caesarea Foundation’s efforts to develop the area around ancient Caesarea. The region is steeped in history from the time of Herod the Great, who built a major deepwater port, aqueducts, temples and other structures that remain impressive today.
The hotel also has a pleasant swimming pool, a health club with wet and dry saunas, and complimentary bike rentals. The concierge can arrange a wide array of activities to suit different interests, from sailing to horseback riding, making it easy to plan both active and relaxing excursions.
The Experience: Overall, we appreciated the hospitality and attentiveness of the Dan Caesarea staff. They were not only courteous and helpful but also went above and beyond when I made a travel mishap. After finishing a round of golf and traveling on to Acre, I realized I had left our passports and a large amount of cash in the in-room safe. The hotel’s security officer coordinated with the manager at our next stop, and they arranged for a driver to return the documents and money within a couple of hours. The driver turned out to be the security officer’s father — a personal touch that made the recovery effortless and reassuring.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet: yes
Check-in under 10 minutes: not applicable during our early arrival due to check-out traffic
Separate tub and shower: no (shower/tub combination)
Large vanity: yes
High-quality towels: yes
Powerful, unattached hair dryer: yes
High-quality bed linens: yes
Large, flat-screen television: yes
Large desk with convenient outlets: yes (would benefit from a pivoting chair)
Large, complimentary laptop safe: yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi: yes
Complimentary bottled water: yes
Stocked minibar: available
Ample lighting: yes
In-room coffeemaker: yes
Iron and ironing board: yes
On-site restaurant: yes
24-hour room service: yes
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center: yes
Turndown service: yes
Dan Caesarea Hotel
Rothschild St. 1, Caesarea, 30600 Israel
tel 972 4 626 9111
danhotels.com