By Holly Rosen Fink, GoGirlfriend Contributor

Stay in Buzzing Tel Aviv’s Dan Panorama

If Tel Aviv isn’t on your radar as a destination you need to visit, think again. The city is buzzing. It’s vibrant and artsy. It also has great shopping and a growing culinary scene.  It’s happens to be Israel’s fastest growing city and its second largest after Jerusalem. Plus, over the past decade, Israel in general has become much safer in terms of security and you can travel without worry.

We consider Tel Aviv to be one of those gateway cities where flights are frequent and plentiful. Like Iceland is a stopover opportunity for many trans-atlantic flights, adding Tel Aviv as a stopover to a Mediterranean vacation can introduce you to a new cultural experience pretty easily.

Tel Aviv may seem far from where you live, but with a bit of planning and foresight, you can plan a trip there quite easily and go for a few days, or even a week, if you have the time. Tel Aviv makes for a great girl’s getaway with your girlfriends or sisters. Or go on a multi-generational trip with one, or both, of your parents and children. While it’s in the Middle East, Tel Aviv is more like New York City than Cairo. It’s modern, with skyscrapers and large buildings, plenty of hotels, and so much to see and do.

Need more reasons? Why Visit Tel Aviv ...

There are so many other reasons for making the trip to Tel Aviv. First of you, if you want to experience a “cool” Middle Eastern city, Tel Aviv is where it’s at. It’s the coastal city and the second largest city in Israel. Its offerings are an irresistible culinary scene, markets to explore, beaches, historic neighborhoods. You can spend a day in the city shopping or simply stroll down the beach, have a coffee on the beach, or stroll through the town of Jaffa, a town in which Israelis and Arabs live together. It’s also a very modern city, serving as the home base of many major technology companies and the city’s vibe reflects that, which young kids will love.

Where to Stay: Introducing Dan Panorama Tel Aviv

Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, located in Tel Aviv by the Mediterranean Sea, is the perfect getaway for a visit to one of Israel’s biggest (and greatest) cities. With a sister hotel nearby (on the other side of the road, directly on the ocean - The Dan Tel Aviv Hotel), the hotel has an ideal location, just minutes from Shuk HaCarmel, the local market, Neve Tzekdek, a trendy area for shopping and eating out, historic Jaffa, Rothchild Avenue or nightclubs and restaurants, and a keen proximity to the sea and Tel Aviv’s exotic beaches and ports. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, Plus, the hotel serves large, delicious Israeli breakfasts and offers amazing views at all times of the year, as well as a pool and sundeck.

Why Choose the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv

Dan Panorama is a large yet cozy hotel. Most of its standard rooms have a small balcony, many facing the sea, the rest facing parts of Tel Aviv. Try to request a room facing Old Jaffa in advance as the sunsets are simply magical. The staff is welcoming upon arrival and have no problem with the English language. The Dan has onsite dining and the hotel is near a slew of good restaurants and a plethora of shopping sits just blocks away at the Port or in Jaffa.

Rooms are fully equipped with all the amenities you need from ample closet and drawer space to lovely bath soaps to free Wi-Fi. The rooms are decorated in a contemporary style with simple colors and fixtures. There is an indoor spa, a large open-air pool, and a kids club (with seasonal hours). Guests can add on the Executive Lounge for a fee where complimentary food and beverages are served during the day into the evening. Best of all, the buffet breakfast is included in your rate and it is out of this world and very typical of an Israeli breakfast.

Room Options at the Dan Panorama

All of the hotel’s 480 rooms have comfortable linens, solid hardwood furniture and chic, personal touches. Each room has a high ceiling, upholstered chairs, a desk, and modern decor, as well a nice-sized flat-screen TV.  Each room offers an abundance of light, a king or twin-size bed depending on the room size, and a private balcony. The bathrooms are well equipped with a bath and shower. Views range from various sides of the hotel, and there is nothing quite like waking up and peeking out the windows to a view of Tel Aviv. The hotel has cribs and extra rollaway beds as needed for young children. Bigger families can take a Junior Suite which offers a separate bedroom and living room. The Club Suites have a small kitchenette and is great for a longer stay.

Where to Eat in Tel Aviv

Breakfast is included and is served in the Dekel and Alon Dining Room. It’s a big room with a view of the sea. The offerings are plentiful so come with an appetite daily and note its end time at 10:30am so you can spread out your portions. Options include Shakshuka (Israeli eggs in tomato sauce), different yogurts, hummus and tahini, homemade breads, a variety of cheeses, pancakes, cakes and sweets, many kinds of fish, a mishmash of juices, salads, and much more. They even have Asian options including dumplings fish soup, and Japanese rice and vegetables. You can also get munchies and drinks at the Pool Bar.  Cafe Panorama is the perfect spot to enjoy cocktails and Kosher food under the summer sun or the Tel Aviv nighttime sky, in a relaxed and informal setting.

The Dekel and Alon Dining Room also offers a buffet menu at dinner. Alternately, there are a number of eateries in the area such as Suzanna and Dallal Restaurant in Neve Tzedek, and Pua in Jaffa.

Insider Tips

• Check the Internet for Hotel specials to find the best deal on the hotel in advance.
• Speak to the concierge to get tips on what to do and where to eat and do some exploratory research in advance of your trip for specific likes.
• Take advantage of the complimentary snacks and drinks in the Executive Lounge should you wish to add it on for an extra fee.
• The hotel has a fully-equipped Health & Fitness Center, including a dry sauna, jacuzzi, and massage facilities as well as an opportunity to windsurf and participate in water sports.
• Nearby tourist sites include Jaffa, HaTachana (old bus station with restaurants), Florentin, Neve Tzedek, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and Rothschild Boulevard.

Check out their property online at the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, their reviews on TripAdvisor, their Facebook and Twitter feeds. And we recommend you book early to reserve your next getaway opportunity.

Have you ever extended a vacation stay to explore a gateway city somewhere new? We did in Rome on a previous vacation adding a few days extra to explore. What gateway city did you leap to and explore? Drop a comment below and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclosure: Holly received a media rate for her visit at the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv but all opinions are her own.

About Holly Rosen Fink

Holly Rosen Fink is a Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Branding and Social Media expert and writer based in Larchmont, New York. She is a current contributor to Trekaroo, OffMetro, Family Vacation Critic, and Women and Hollywood.