Approaching the archways of Hotel Elmina is like passing through a portal into a bygone era. Located in the swirl of Jaffa’s ancient alleyways, hotel guests are transported back to British Mandate Yafo, when the port city was blanketed in orange groves and served as Israel’s epicenter of culture and industry. Today, Hotel Elmina has been reimagined by world renowned architects Michael Azoulay and Ron Arad in meticulous Art Deco style, ensuring that it remains a gem of Jaffa.
The building, made entirely from Ottoman Era stone, was erected a century ago as a private residence for the wealthy nobility. To bring it into the modern day, visionary architect & designer Michael Azoulay built on the property’s classic bones with playful contemporary accents. Original hardwood floors are draped with colorful African rugs & textiles. Bold, contemporary artworks and decorative woven baskets play against the traditional window treatments. Modern furniture choices and pops of “happy” hues like burnt yellows and crimson reds breathe luxurious life into a centuries-old space. These choice accents help connect the rooms with the hotel’s crown jewel, its stunning rooftop.