Inspired by ancient ruins: Hotel Galei Kinneret unveils renovation

Initially built in 1946, the original Galei Kinneret was one of Israel’s first luxury hotels founded by entrepreneur Lotte Eisenberg, and was inspired by a trip to the magnificent Villa d’Este Hotel in Lake Como.

When Saar Zafrir Design was appointed to fully redesign the uninhabited hotel, the design studio drew inspiration from the ancient ruins discovered onsite and reworked the charm of Eisenberg’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.

Image credit: Galei Kinneret / Amit Geron

Designer Saar Zafrir has drawn on these historical references to determine the narrative of the hotel, which celebrates the property’s long-standing history. Presenting a clean, white structure, the hotel’s façade has been kept very much the same. Meanwhile, the interior of the hotel has been transformed into a calm oasis that directs 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 complement the hotel’s natural surroundings.

“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.” – Designer Saar Zafrir.

The hotel shelters 123 spectacular guestrooms and suites with outdoor jacuzzis, and each with either a view of the vast mountainous landscape or the Sea of Galilee. Guestrooms feature parquet wood flooring and off-white panelled walls, with a soothing palette of natural and organic tones. The rooms, which have been designed to connect guests with the surrounding landscape, champion the use of natural materials with ample light flooding through large windows, and bathrooms finished in pale, veined marble and gold accents.

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.

Image credit: Galei Kinneret / Amit Geron

Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by a minimal, open space, which is characterised by three-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. The hotel lobby offers a comfortable lounge area with wood panelled walls, parquet flooring and soft linen upholstered sofas with wooden accents.

Image credit: Galei Kinneret / Amit Geron

Managing the hotel’s restoration from concept to completion, 90 per cent 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.

“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,” said Zafrir. “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.”

Image credit: Galei Kinneret / Amit Geron

Through a smooth, cohesive wooden walkway, guests are led from the hotel lobby into the restaurant “Lotte”, named after 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 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, sun lounger-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 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 inspiration for creating this aluminium tree came from Zafrir’s experience at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, resulting in 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.

Main image credit: Galei Kinneret / Amit Geron