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Location: Israel 

Architect: Feigin Architects

Interior Designer: Saar Zafrir Design Studio

Hotel Group: Israel Canada Group

Photography: Amit Geron

London-based Saar Zafrir Design Studio has recently revealed its latest project, the Galei Kinneret Hotel, located in Northern Israel. The restored 123-room luxury hotel was initially built in 1946 and has been redesigned by Saar Zafrir Design Studio, which drew inspiration from the ancient ruins discovered on-site. The hotel’s interior has been transformed into a calm oasis that blends into the natural landscape of the Sea of Galilee. It emanates a sophisticated and serene atmosphere, featuring a neutral colour palette and the use of natural materials that complement the hotel’s natural surroundings.

The hotel comprises 123 rooms and suites, with a view of the vast mountainous landscape or the Sea of Galilee. It also offers facilities such as an indoor and outdoor bar, swimming pool, restaurant, spa, fully equipped gym, private beach, boat and a synagogue for guest use. The hotel’s lobby offers a comfortable lounge area with wood-panelled walls, parquet flooring and soft linen upholstered sofas with wooden accents.

The hotel’s restoration was managed by Saar Zafrir Design Studio from concept to completion, with 90% of the hotel’s fixtures and furnishings designed and custom-made in-house by the studio.  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.

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. Works by Israeli sculptor 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 relaunch of this iconic hotel makes it a leading destination for both domestic and international tourists to Israel, setting a new standard of hospitality in Northern Israel.