On the beach near the city center, this property owns bragging rights to being Tel Aviv's first luxury hotel. But that was a long time ago. The renovated accommodations, among the nicest in Israel, show that the hotel is moving in the right direction, but public areas still look shabby and dated. Like the smart new accommodations, the energetic staff is a grade above the norm—a light in a dark tunnel, as it were. The hotel's famous rainbow paint job, angular tower of time-share apartments, and elaborate pool complex make a strong presence on the beach, but the newer David InterContinental and the veteran Hilton hover comfortably above this struggling giant.
In the entrance hall, seating is limited to two upholstered benches and a handful of uncomfortable looking lounge chairs. The lower lobby's aging appointments, in a windowless, dimly lighted environment, serve for tete-a-tete business chats by default. The adjacent piano lounge offers a few chairs in better shape.
Dining options include a bland commercial cafe, a slightly fancier coffeeshop (as if a coffeeshop could be fancy), and a smart, renovated grill, due to reopen soon with its dark masculine appointments. The newer building next door houses two fine independent restaurants: a flashy spot for Northern Italian food and a chic cafe. The hotel's breakfast buffet, however, is a step above the competitors and a special perk is the home-baked bread served hot from a special Middle Eastern-style oven.
Though the crowded public beach is across the street, most guests will prefer gazing at it from under the umbrellas on the tower's chic wooden pool deck. A freshwater indoor pool, saunas, and a bubbling whirlpool complement the saltwater outdoor plunge. Danyland gives kids, and their parents, a welcome respite during the summer months. The hotel's fitness center and underground parking are available to guests for a small fee.
The newly renovated guest rooms are sleek, design-conscious digs that begin to justify the high rates here. All show earth-tone color schemes with richly textured fabrics, carpets, and thick, quilted spreads. A hint of art deco radiates from these spacious environs, especially in the large compartmentalized desks with built-in modem jacks and the old-fashioned dressing tables with pop-up mirrors. Angled armchairs and frenetic modern art further the mood. Excellent amenities include dark, wooden armoires harboring TVs with cable and pay-per-view options, wireless Internet access, three phones, voice mail, superbly designed lighting, plenty of vanity mirrors, minibars, safes in good-sized closets, and king beds or paired doubles. Baths vary, with showers, deep tubs, or a combination of the two, robes, slippers, hair dryers and magnifying mirrors.
Seaview rooms offer great sunset panoramas, and in some the large beds are positioned to take in the view. Guests in premium rooms benefit from 
butler service and access to the King David Lounge, as well as complimentary transportation to and from the airport. The hotel's luxury suites, ranging from stately to spectacular, are regularly frequented by celebrities from around the world. Effective double glazing shields streetside units from honking horns. Avoid rooms facing the courtyard on Floors 3 through 7, as these are the smallest.
As a business hotel, the Dan serves its clientele spectacularly, with its rooms and suites focused on providing the perfect setting for getting work done. Vacationers will enjoy the fruit, chocolates and mineral water received as welcoming gifts, but may be a bit dismayed at the dark, uninviting public areas.
