Studio Home-Maker has transformed a neglected Ottoman home into a luxurious oasis in the heart of the beautiful old city of Acre, Israel.

The Melisende Hotel takes its name from the impressive Crusader queen Melisende, who reigned in the Kingdom of Jerusalem when Acre was its capital and is located in the heart of the old city of Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hotel has six exclusive units that serve the most diverse needs, whether the guest is looking for a romantic weekend full of adventures for two or a cosy family home. All typologies are housed in buildings approximately 500 years old, undergoing intense restoration and preservation. The design of the rooms is, therefore, a combination of old and new. Impressive high arches connect to local history, while modern design and room fittings provide a unique home-away-from-home feeling.

With approximately 170 square meters, Melisende Oasis is located about 20 meters from Abud Square and the city walls and was more demanding (in terms of renovation) than the other units. Under the supervision of the Antiquities Authority, an excavation was carried out, which returned the building to the form it had in the Ottoman period. Thus, the original story began to be revealed little by little.

"Instead of enlarging and maximizing the building, I preferred to reduce it and enlarge the yard, which allows for the addition of the heated jacuzzi pool and the tropical garden that corresponds so beautifully with the Ottoman limestone", describes Michal Matalon, responsible for the project.

The renovated complex includes three suites and an interior patio with a lounge area and swimming pool. While the other units are also suitable for families, the Melisende Oasis is adults-only, and the rooms are aimed at couples: "I wanted to create a place with a retreat feel", she says.

The room on the left has an elongated structure. "We discovered a decoration of an arch in the transition between the two spaces, a kind of strip of stones that used to be a wall. I decided not to preserve the stone inside the spaces so the crumbling original limestone wouldn't fall. Instead, we created a plaster covering in many layers - first, a mineral plaster for preservation that would connect to the stone. On top of that, a decorative plaster in a faded pinkish shade", explains Matalon. The floor of the rooms is covered in porcelain granite. The furniture, including beds with wooden headboards, wardrobes and chairs with wicker seats, are custom designed and made from light oak in a natural colour.
The patio has many plants in rusty steel planters and is lit by ceiling lamps that illuminate the archways and doorways, and a string of lights hangs from the seating area.

"Everyone lives very close to each other, and you are part of a fabric with life. Sometimes you hear the children's laughter, and sometimes you see the neighbours. There is no sterility. The secret in renovating the old city is to respect and maintain a balance of give and take."