זרקא | ZARQA

Location: On the sea, in front of the fortifications
Several cultures have found a home in Acre and left their mark on it: Jews, Christians, Muslims. Even Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith, lived, worked, and was buried here. So in addition to a spectacular beach, Acre has a rich history to offer in its charming alleys, Ottoman walls, port, and Crusader buildings.

The voices of the past, and also the song of the sirens rising from the sea, can be heard here at "Zarka", which is located on the first line to the sea, in the heart of the Old City, and close to all the tourist treasures.

The complex - authenticity at its best
It's a 3-story building with a large roof terrace. The old-fashioned wooden shutters, turquoise (of course) that open onto the sea, throw me into the atmosphere of a remote Greek island.

On the entrance floor there is a beautiful lobby designed with a combination of original stone arches and oak. It has seating areas, a "buffet" with hot and cold drinks, carved niches for books and a very authentic and cozy feeling. The owners have a slight eclectic tendency that is expressed in collecting decorative details from all over the world and from every period and it is not impossible that they found a rare collector's item next to an oriental rug from the market or an item from IKEA.

From the lobby, you exit to a shaded patio with a pleasant atmosphere, cute garden chairs and tables, greenery, and a water fountain. The patio overlooks old residential buildings, with laundry hanging on balconies, cats basking in the sun on rooftops, and lots of magical oriental atmosphere.

From there, 18 external stairs lead up to the first floor, which contains only 2 suites. Another 18 stairs lead to 2 more suites, and above them - and without a doubt the greatest charm of the place - is the roof terrace , which looks deep into the sea, so close that it seems you could just dive into it from here. Lounge chairs, seating areas, and here is the perfect place for a romantic breakfast or a glass of champagne at sunset.

Keep in mind that there is no elevator, as the restoration took into account the original structure.

The suites - a successful combination of modern and old
Each floor contains, as mentioned, 2 types of suites: one large and royal and one more intimate - all with a small balcony facing the view. The difference between them is that the large royal suite offers additional space dedicated to the huge jacuzzi located in a separate room, between the bathroom and the bedroom - in the atmosphere of a modern hammam. (The smaller "double" suite offers a "retro" claw-foot bathtub in the room instead of a jacuzzi, and a smaller dining area)

The space is very pleasant and the half-Eastern, half-Western design blends in with the landscape of the Old City. All the faucets are copper, the shower is wide, make sure to put a chair nearby if the couple wants to chat while one of them is showering - we loved it.

The restoration of the building envelops you with a stone arch as a headboard for a truly regal feel, high ceilings, wooden beams, natural stone floors, and walls of kurkar stone. The suites have a sitting area, a desk, and a small balcony overlooking the sea.

The hosts - a great man of the world who manages a charming team
Yoram, the owner of the place, is a man who loves life, and life loves him no less. He did not purchase, renovate and design this place to make a living, but to satisfy his taste. And he has taste. He is oriented towards good company and receiving guests according to the tradition of the East. He is a warm and pleasant man, with charisma and culture whose qualities make him an interesting conversationalist.

One of the advantages here is that Yoram has recruited a wonderful team: Bassam, the maintenance manager and perfect host, is here to provide a sense of security and meticulous service without flattery or pretension. You feel that you can trust him and that he will make sure to fulfill the guests' every wish, even if the lady asks for caviar at three in the morning.

There's also Samra, who prepares the most delicious breakfast in the Middle East, and the homemade cake is perfect - according to Yoram, who invited me to come back again and check it out...

In conclusion: Every detail here conveys great attention and respect for the materials, history and environment. If this is the approach to detail here, it necessarily also indicates the approach to the hospitality experience. There are not many places like this in Israel, and it seems that "Zarka" is definitely helping to raise Acre up the romantic tourism map in Israel.