Head South for your next vacation, and explore the many beautiful Deserts Israel has to offer! Whether you’re looking for Desert Lodges, Tents, or Hostels, this guide has got you covered!


You can also book hotels directly in Israel and around the world through Secret Tel Aviv’s Booking.com Platform, it will cost you the same, but you will be supporting the work we do at Secret Tel Aviv.


We included all the best places outside of Eilat and the Dead Sea, check out our Guides for the Best Hotels in Eilat and the Dead Sea to get the full experience of the South!

We’ve broken this guide into areas:

  • Negev 
  • North Arava 
  • South Arava

We’ve also created a ranking system based on ratings from other popular websites.

Pricing for 2 people sharing 1 room:

  • $$ >$200/ night
  • $ <$200/ night

Best Desert Lodges in the Negev

Boker Valley Farm and Vineyards

 Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | North Negev | $$

Boker Valley Farm is set in the wine area in the Negev Desert, South Israel. It offers unique accommodations and a large communal hot tub.

This property is part of Negev Farms and produces its own wine and includes the largest wine shop in the area with 47 different sorts of wine to offer. Guests can enjoy tastings of wine for free.


Alpaca Farm

 Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | Mitzpe Ramon | $$

Farming a herd of the exotic alpacas and llamas, the unique Alpaca Farm organizes a range of activities from feeding the animals to wool production workshops in the local factory. Each accommodations unit has its own kitchenette and a terrace with hammock in front.

The farm is peacefully located in the Negev Desert, 2.5 mi from Mitzpe Ramon. Horses, donkeys, angora sheep, camels and many other animals are also farmed there. The area includes various hiking trails.


Carmey Avdat Farm and Vineyard

 Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | North Negev | $$

Carmey Avdat Farm is a family-run property in the Negev Desert, 5 minutes’ drive from Sde Boker. It offers rustic chalets with natural pools and hammocks. Homemade wine is available to taste and buy.

Built on the site of a 1,500-year old agricultural settlement on the ancient spice route. Its chalets are scattered around the grounds and feature a private patio with dining area. The kitchenettes come with an espresso machine and free wine, milk and fruit.


Desert Olive Farm

 Swimming Pool | Tents | Mid-Range | Sde Boker | $

Desert Olive Farm gives you the chance to really experience the Negev Desert. It offers a choice of cabins, tents or suites, each one with a small pool and outdoor area with BBQ.

You can choose between an Indian tent, an African ecological cabin or a luxurious suite. In any case, your stay at Desert Olive Farm is sure to be unforgettable. Suites and cabins have their own private bathrooms. The tents have showers and toilets outdoors underneath the stars.


InnSense

 Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | Mitzpe Ramon | $

Each of the rooms is tastefully decorated using high quality furnishings and special attention is paid to contemporary design, combining luxury and comfort with an atmosphere of sophistication.

Two of the rooms are ideal for couples seeking a quiet retreat while the others can comfortably accommodate three adults or small families.​


Mashabim Country Lodging

 Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | North Negev | $

Mashabim Country Lodging, located on the stunning Mashabei Sadeh kibbutz in southern Israel, offers guests a unique kibbutz hospitality experience. This is the perfect tranquil refuge, where you can escape the bustle of daily life, against an awe-inspiring backdrop of breathtaking desert landscapes.

Mashabim presents 82 guest rooms overlooking the gorgeous desert vista, spread out among rustic buildings on landscaped green lawns.


Tsavta Tube Hostel and Naot Farm

 Desert Lodge | Hostel | North Negev | $

Tsavta Tube Hostel is a meeting and relaxing place, for travelers from all places, young souls from 18 to 80, that enjoy a multi- generation company.

Sleeping  a double bed or 2 single beds- is in a huge air-conditioned pipe on a pleasant bed, an invalid water conductors pipe that we gave it new life!


Negev Camel Ranch

 Desert Lodge | Hostel | North Negev | $

The Negev Camel Ranch was established in 1986 in the Eastern Negev, along the northern Incense Route, near the ancient Nabatean city of Kurnub-Mamshit.

The ranch raises riding camels with the utmost care and offers camel tours, desert hospitality and lodging.


ibex (iBike) Desert Inn

 Desert Lodge | Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $

Just 5 minutes’ drive from the Ramon Crater, iBike Hotel is modern boutique hostel in Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev Desert. It features a café and social areas with a TV and DVD player.

Hotel iBike has a bright and colorful design throughout. Guests can relax out in the garden or in the comfortable lounge with plenty of sofas. Cyclists and hikers are welcome and bikes are available to rent from reception.


Silent Arrow

 Tents | Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $

Offering authentic tent accommodation or Camping, many activities, Work Shops hospitality and a lot of inspiration…


Chai Negev Revivim

 Tents | Hostel | North Negev | $

Chai Negev is an Ecological site built entirely out of mud.

In addition, a desert zoological garden with a variety of animals, petting and feeding zoos, The desert hospitality includes: making pita on the saj – made by visitors, labane (cheese), vegetables, olive and za’atar oil, spicy olives and desert tea.


Chan Hashayarot

Bedouin Tents | Hostel | North Negev | $

“Chan Hashayarot” is a site for lodging and desert activities located between Sede-boqer and Mizpe-Ramon, right on the ancient Nabatean “perfume route”.

The Chan offers magnificent Bedouin tents for lodging and activities, guest cabins for families and for couples as well as a camping site, a variety of pampering desert meals and authentic Bedouin feast meals, which are served at the hospitality Bedouin tent or under the open sky.


Me’Ever Hostel

Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $

Me’ever is a space for meeting and creation In the beautiful desert town of Mitzpe Ramon, Just by the Ramon crater, offering simple & cool  accommodation options.

During your stay, you will other great travelers, the people of Mitzpe Ramon, and the amazing staff of Me’ever…Come to be a part of an inspiring daily life!


HI – Mitzpe Ramon Hostel

Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $

Set on the northern ridge of the Ramon Crater, HI – Mitzpe Ramon Hostel is immersed in the Negev Desert. It offers air-conditioned rooms and dormitories with satellite TV.

Rooms at the HI – Mitzpe Ramon have bright, modern furnishings and tiled floors. Rooms feature a private bathroom with shower, while dormitories have a shared bathroom. Disabled access rooms are available.


Spice Quarter Inn

Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $

The Spice Quarter Inn is a unique place where you relax and enjoy your stay at Mitzpe Ramon in a welcoming homey atmosphere.

Offering a variety of rooms including private rooms, each with their own bathroom, whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, a family or a big group, we can offer you private rooms by your choice, or unique dormitory accommodation with shared bathrooms and kitchen .


Best Desert Lodges North Arava

Zman Arava Lodge

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | Tsukim, North Arava | $$

Welcome to Zman Arava Desert Resort & Suites. You’re invited to put aside your daily routine, unwind and take on a slow, gentle and relaxing pace in the tranquil surroundings of the magical Israeli Arava Desert.

Zman Arava offers 5 desert-inspired suites which were meticulously planned and designed to provide you with accommodations of the highest quality, as you soak up the breath-taking ancient scenery and the sense of wilderness all around.


Nof Zuqim Lodge

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | Tsukim, North Arava | $$

Offering an outdoor pool and free bikes, Nof Zuqim is located in Mahane Ẕofar. It features fully equipped accommodations with a spa bath and a patio. Facilities include a shared kitchen and free WiFi access in all areas.

Fitted with a separate bedroom, all air-conditioned apartments of Nof come with a living room with flat-screen, satellite TV. Each is equipped with a kitchenette with hobs and dining table. Some units have views of the mountain.


Midbara Lodge

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | Tsukim, North Arava | $$

Located in the Arava Desert on the Israeli-Jordanian border, Midbara offers individually furnished suites with a BBQ, kitchenette and free Wi-Fi. The Tzofar and Paran moshavim are about 6.2 mi away.

Midbara’s air-conditioned suites have modern décor, with an iPone docking station, tea/coffee selection in the kitchenette, and a hammock. Each includes a private bathroom, while some boast a private pool. A full continental breakfast can be arranged on request and delivered directly to your accommodations. You can explore the surroundings on 1 of the property’s free bikes. Eilat and its international airport can be reached in about 1 hour by car.


Idan Lodge

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Mid-Range | North Arava | $$

Located in Paran in the South District Israel region, Idan Lodge in the Arava provides accommodations with free WiFi and free private parking.

The lodge provides guests with a patio, garden views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave and a fridge, and a private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. Some units feature a dining area and/or a balcony.


Desert Days – Negev Ecolodge

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | Tsukim, North Arava | $

Negev Ecolodge is located in Israel’s Desert of Paran, in the Arava region. It offers eco-friendly huts built with hay bales and mud bricks, and free use of a shared kitchen.

The Ecolodge uses solar panels to provide electricity and all the water from the showers and the kitchen is drained back to the desert. Free private parking and an outdoor swimming pool are available, which is heated in winter.


Etnahta Lodge

Desert Lodge | Hostel | North Arava | $

Surrounded with a green garden, Etnahta is located in Moshav Ein Tamar near Ne’ot HaKikar. The owners offer vegetables from their homegrown farms.

All accommodations units are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen satellite TV. A fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave and a fridge are included into each unit. Featuring a spa bath, private bathrooms also come with a shower and towels. All units have views of the garden.


Desert Routes Inn / Shvilim Bamidbar

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | Tsukim, North Arava | $

Desert Routes Inn Shvilim ba Midbar is located in the Moshav Hatzeva in the heart of the Arava Desert, a 40-minute drive from the Dead Sea. Decorated in oriental style, the property offers accommodations with outdoor areas and colorful rugs. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

Private rooms are air-conditioned and feature a private outdoor seating area. Each also consists of a private bathroom with a shower and a kitchenette with a fridge and tea/coffee maker. Guests staying in dormitory rooms have a shared bathroom at their disposal.


Rash Hasita

Tents | Hostel | North Arava | $

Just 4.8 km from Hatzeva, Rash Hasita offers rustic accommodations in tents in the middle of the Arava Desert. The Gidron Stream is about a 10-minute drive away.

This large, isolated complex is surrounded by palm trees and desert. All tent accommodations share an outdoor bathroom. The large public tent is decorated with mats, low tables, mattresses and hammocks.


Best Desert Lodges South Arava

Kibbutz Lotan Desert Inn

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | South Arava | $

Welcome to Kibbutz Lotan Desert Inn located in the Negev desert. Far from the buzzing crowds of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Eilat, relax in a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful landscapes.

Kibbutz Lotan is home to the Center for Creative Ecology and EcoTourism. Ideal for families, backpackers and groups, there are plenty of exciting activities at Kibbutz Lotan to choose from.  Kibbutz Lotan’s EcoTourism strives to provide a clean and healthy environment for people and the planet.


Kibbutz Elifaz Country Lodging

Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | South Arava | $

Country-style accommodation, with 25 air-conditioned rooms (12 family rooms & 13 doubles) feature satellite TV, shower, fully equipped kitchenette, refrigerator, all surrounded by wide open spaces and glorious shaded seating areas, shaded rest spots, lawns, outdoor grills, playgrounds, and a swimming pool (April-October). For your convenience, our shop sells dates, ice cream, and original locally made items.


This guide is part of our series of Best Hotel Guides in Israel. Also check out our guides for Best Hotels in Israel, Best Hotels in Jerusalem, Best Hotels in the Dead Sea, Best Hotels in Eilat; for those looking for boutique hotels we have guides for the Best Boutique Hotels in Israel and Best Boutique Hotels in Tel Aviv; and for those traveling in a budget, we have guides for the Best Hostels in Israel and Best Hostels in Tel Aviv


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