Historic convent in Israel re-launched as glamorous hotel

Rosen turned to Jaffa-born architect Ramy Gill and British designer John Pawson, with whom he worked on parts of The Gramercy in New York. "I know and love John's approach to design, especially with historical projects," says Rosen, who tasked Pawson with bringing his minimalist interpretation to the classical monastery building. And he's thrilled with the outcome. "His sensitivity manifests itself in the thoughtful design, introducing new life and purpose to the building. I'm sure The Jaffa will quickly become a Tel Aviv icon," says Rosen.

There's plenty to love now. Start with the wonderfully Instagrammable cocktail lounge inside the hospital's former chapel, with its exposed Corinthian columns, powder-blue vaulted ceiling, original stained-glass windows and marbled floors, which anchor three-legged Botolo chairs by Italian architect Cini Boeri. (Now 92, Boeri has just been tapped by Miuccia Prada to design a bag, in tandem with two other female architects, for Prada's spring/summer 2019 women's fashion collection). A bar takes the place of an altar in this majestic parlour of desanctified liquefaction, appropriately named Chapel.