The Jaffa has done a remarkable job preserving a 19th century Neo Renaissance hospital and monastery. Arched colonnades, stained glass windows, Arabesque trellises and stone-hewn walls are expertly balanced against a smattering of modern artwork and a newly built, clean-lined wing that features a tree-shaded courtyard. The rooms vary in size but all have cavernous ceilings, high reaching windows, and neutrally hued, platform beds. There are backgammon—“sheshbesh” in Hebrew—sets out in each room, lending a colonial-style elegance. But modern comforts—like TVs built into the mirrors — are in line with this property’s devotion to mixing the new with the old. The hotel’s slickly modern Golda’s Restaurant serves Israeli fare and Jewish-style deli favorites under the cream-colored arches; onsite are also cocktail bars and a laid-back rooftop pool area (also attended by a bartender), which overlooks the Jaffa Port and sea on one end, and the city on the other. While children are always welcome, this spot, with its hushed interior and numerous bars—has a distinctly adult flair. If you have Marriott points saved up, this hotel, part of the brand's Luxury Collection, is a worthy splurge.