Yama-B&B and Wine Spa couples only

Full disclosure: I met my wife when she lived in Zichron. To be precise, we met long before that - already in middle school, but nothing happened then. So apparently something in the intoxicating air of Zichron - maybe it's the special atmosphere and the amazing sunsets - put a little sense into her and made her say "yes" to a find like me.

My visit to "Yama" began with a glass of good wine. I really didn't need to because I was quite impressed by the road itself: it passes through a neighborhood of people who were just lucky. No, this is not a memory of the bustling pedestrian street, but a neighborhood that sits right on the mountainside, towards the sea. As I approached the complex, I really hoped that it was on the "right" side of the road, that is, on the first line to the view. And indeed - I was not mistaken.

The complex is located in a (non-crowded) residential neighborhood below the vacation home of the hosts' parents (who come from time to time). Clever planning offers good privacy, even from the neighbors' homes.

There are about 40 steps down to the complex, which will be difficult for those with walking difficulties. Next to the main building, the path splits into two: there are 2 accommodation units here that share a common wall (with a connecting door, for those who want to take both units with a couple of friends). Those who continue down will reach the more luxurious suite - "Gefen", located below its sisters and right in front of the view.

"Kerem" and "Eshkol" overlook a panoramic view of the sea and the Carmel Beach. Both have a balcony at the entrance to the unit, overlooking a panoramic view, as well as access to a shared balcony separated by a light partition. The accommodation here is meticulous and high-quality, with a lot of attention to the little details (for example, high-quality cosmetics from LOCCITANE).

"Kerem" is the larger of the two units. Its balcony contains a seating area, a hammock, and a wall waterfall. Privacy on the balcony is partial. The central space contains a living room with a sofa, a TV ("Apple" and Cellcom TV) and a computer, a dining table, and a cabinet full of wines (for an additional fee). Paintings by the hosts decorate the space.

The living room opens onto a shared balcony with a beautiful view. The bedroom has a double bed and a small corner jacuzzi facing the view, a small kitchenette and a wardrobe. There is also a treatment room inside the unit where you can receive treatments and a bathroom with a shower.

"Eshkol" is a relatively small unit, but it is surrounded by windows to the panoramic view, which creates a feeling of space. It has an amazing private balcony overlooking the sea view with a hammock and a seating area. The balcony is surrounded by vegetation and allows for excellent privacy.

The "shos" here is a separate space with a huge round jacuzzi. The second space contains a double bed located next to the window (the partner has to jump over their neighbor to get to his place), and there is a curtain and electric blinds for complete shading. The TV is located next to the bed so that it can only be watched in bed and lying across it. Further down is a small kitchenette, a dining table, and a "cheap" corner with a rug and pillows next to a designer electric fireplace. There is also a wardrobe, a bathroom with a shower, and access to the shared balcony. As mentioned, there is also a second balcony, which is completely private.

"Geffen" is the most luxurious suite here, which offers, in addition to the panoramic view, a softtub (outdoor jacuzzi) on the outdoor "deck" (which, as the name implies, comes from the beautiful Geffen suite), underfloor heating and an electric fireplace, luxurious Indonesian furniture, a kitchenette with a wine refrigerator and microwave, a king-size bed with a "Hollandia" mattress, TVs in the living room and bedroom (40/55 inches) with Cellcom TV, Apple TV, and more.

A fascinating combination of a great location, an extraordinary sea view, a variety of attractions in the area - the sea, a pedestrian street, restaurants, galleries, etc. - and everything within walking distance or a short drive. The different hospitality concept - spa and wine - only adds to the quality of the package.