The Drisco Hotel in Tel Aviv-Jaffa has introduced the hyperlocal tour of two of the city’s neighborhoods: Noga and American Colony.
The Drisco Hotel, located in Tel Aviv’s historic American Colony neighborhood, is a landmark heritage property restored as a 42-room boutique hotel. The main structure was built in 1886 and was formerly the Jerusalem Hotel, one of the first hotels in Jaffa. It was created by Ernst Hardegg, a Templar hotelier who purchased both the hotel and the neighboring property. Adjacent to the main building is the original Norton House, comprising six rooms (now The Villa Drisco), named after P.A. Norton. One of the colony’s first American settlers who migrated to Jaffa, Norton brought with him the wood and materials to resurrect their homes in the New England style, settling in what would eventually become Jaffa.
Between 1870 and 1940, the hotel became a popular destination in the region, frequented by the likes of Thomas Cook and Mark Twain. Following eight years of renovation led by architect Naor Mimar, both the buildings were revived in spring 2018 as The Drisco Hotel, transforming the classic architectural icon into a heritage hotel. The hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
In addition to the American Colony neighborhood, The Drisco Hotel sits on the cusp of Noga District, a micro-neighborhood of Tel Aviv. Adjacent to the American Colony neighborhood, Noga comprises just four square blocks and is tucked away behind the busy thruways of Eilat Street and Jerusalem Boulevard. Given its ideal downtown location between historic Jaffa and the American Colony, Noga has become an increasingly popular area for new eateries, designers, galleries and upscale accommodations.
The Drisco Hotel’s hyperlocal tour of the American Colony and Noga neighborhoods include a two-hour guided tour with a local expert; visits to significant historical sites in the American Colony neighborhood such as Immanuel Church and the Maine Friendship House; a walk through the Noga neighborhood and visits with homegrown fashion designers in their boutiques and workspaces, besides art galleries; and visits to coffee shops and cafés.
Each tour is priced at $150 for up to four persons and is available Sunday through Thursday.
For more information, visit www.thedrisco.com.
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