During your stay in Israel, you will have the opportunity to stay in some of the World’s best hotels. Real gems include The Norman in Tel Aviv, a world class city hotel, the King David in Jerusalem, a hotel oozing with history, and some splendid country spas: The Beresheet Hotel in Mitzpe Ramon, the Elma Hotel in Zikron Yaakov, and The Carmel Spa and Mizpe Haayamim hotels in the North.
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.
Top Choice: The Beresheet Hotel, Negev
Beresheet 1, Mitzpe Ramon | Swimming Pool | $$$
Escape to this beautiful spa resort in the middle of the Negev Desert, rated as one of the best in Israel. Opened in 2011, and part of Isrotel’s Exclusive Collection, the hotel has 111 rooms, many overlooking the spectacular Mitzpe Ramon crater.
Celebrity guests have included Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, who booked out the whole hotel over Pesach 2014 for a cool $450,000. Guests can go on guided walks in the crater, or take rides on bikes, open-top jeeps… and camels! Or you can just switch off in the hotel’s spa, kosher restaurants, and hotel pool – which overlooks the crater!
Top Choice: The Norman, Tel Aviv
Nachmani Street 23-25, Tel Aviv | Swimming Pool | $$$
Ok, so its going to cost you an arm and a leg to stay here… but if you can afford it, this is the best hotel in Tel Aviv at the moment. The Norman opened in 2014, setting a new benchmark for luxury boutique hotels in Tel Aviv. Located two minutes from Rothschild Boulevard, the hotel is set in a converted and enlarged 1920s mansion, specked up to the highest standards, with a beautiful infinity pool on the roof, a top-class restaurant, and the best customer service in Israel. Have fun checking out all the beautiful little touches throughout the rooms.
Top Choice: Mizpe Hayamim, North
Rosh Pina | Swimming Pool | $$$
The perfect place to recharge your body and your mind! Mizpe Hayamim is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, in the mountains and forests in the North of Israel, near Rosh Pina and Safed. The 37 acre hotel includes 97 luxurious rooms, gardens, orchards, and a vast organic farm, gourmet restaurants, a spa and swimming pool, and excellent customer service.
Carmel Forest Spa Hotel, North
Carmel Forest | Swimming Pool | $$$
This special Spa Hotel is nestled in the middle of the Carmel Forest, just south of Haifa. The ideal place to recharge and renew, you will quickly forget the hustle bustle of city life.
The resort has a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, wet and dry saunas, a Turkish bath, and over 60 different spa treatments from some of the best masseurs in Israel. Guests have a wide choice of activities including nature walks, aerobics, yoga and meditation. The restaurant serves delicious healthy food, including kosher options, and all 126 rooms are spacious and lovingly designed.
Hotel Montefiore, Tel Aviv
Montefiore 36, Tel Aviv | $$$
A beautiful boutique hotel in central Tel Aviv, created out of the conversion of a 1920s heritage building, the hotel has 12 unique elegant rooms specked to the highest standards. The restaurant is also well-known in Tel Aviv, famous for its amazing breakfasts.
*** For more of the best boutique hotels in Tel Aviv, check our ‘Best Boutique Hotels in Tel Aviv’ Guide ***
Setai Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv
David Razi’el St 22 | Swimming Pool | $$$
The Setai Tel Aviv is a prestigious five-star hotel that offers luxury and tranquility at one of the most beautiful locations in the city. The building where the Setai is built was once used as a jailhouse, and it has been transformed with contemporary touches and classic refurbishments.
Cramim Resort and Spa, near Jerusalem
Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim, near Jerusalem | Swimming Pool | $$$
Nestled in the Jerusalem hills, 20 minutes drive from the Old City, is the beautiful Cramim Resort and Spa. Part of the exclusive Isrotel Executive Collection hotels, the resort has 155 magnificent rooms and suites, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, hot-tub, and a Turkish Bath, 26 spa treatment rooms, and an excellent restaurant specilising in local produce. The surrounding area is filled with vineyards and hiking trails – guests can book tours from the hotel.
Orient Jerusalem
Center | Emek Refa’im St 3 | $$$
The Orient Jerusalem hotel is located in a very central location in Jerusalem, walking distance from countless cultural, tourist, and historic attraction. It has 234 luxurious rooms and suites plus many amenities including a rooftop pool overlooking iconic landmarks, an indoor pool on the spa level, gym, saunas, and Turkish hamam.
Setai Hotel, North
Hof Ze’Elon, En Gev | Swimming Pool | $$$
The Setai Sea of Galilee, primely located on the eastern cost of the Sea of Galilee, offers 110 luxurious rooms and villas. The villas offer breathtaking views of the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias and Golan Heights. If you are looking to indulge in more than a luxurious room, visit The Setai Kinneret spa, located in the hotel grounds. The hotel offers a large outdoor pool, paddling pool for infants and a children’s club. The Setai Kinneret also offers high standard cuisine at the hotel’s gourmet Galilee style restaurant.
King David Hotel, Jerusalem
23 King David Street, Jerusalem | Swimming Pool | $$$
Built in 1920s, and refurbished most recently in 2013, the King David Hotel in Jerusalem has a history befitting of such a special city. It is often used for state banquets and to host world leaders and famous personalities.
The 5 star hotel comes complete with a beautiful outdoor pool (one of the few in Jerusalem) surrounded by amazing gardens, a tennis court, and all that while being a 15-minute walk from the main city attractions. The amazing gardens are also the place for you to enjoy an Israeli restaurant. If you choose to eat indoor the King David hotel also offers 4 more restaurants for you to dine in.
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Jerusalem
26-28 Agron Street, Jerusalem | Swimming Pool | $$$
Opened in 2014, if you are looking for the best hotels in Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria should be at the top of your list. The sumptuous 1920s style decor is complemented with a free personal tablet when you check in and 46” smart TV as standard in every room.
Other than being 500 meters from Jaffa Gate, the hotel’s main attraction is the Palace restaurant. The Palace Restaurants gives you the best of 2 culinary worlds with an Israeli breakfast and a French lunch.
*** For more of the best hotels in Jerusalem, check our ‘Best Hotels in Jerusalem’ Guide ***
The Herods Vitalis, Eilat
HaYam Street 6, Eilat | Swimming Pool | $$$
Consistently rated as one of the top hotels in Eilat, the Herods Vitalis Spa Hotel is a small exclusive spa hotel. This is a great romantic getaway, with five-star service, adults only, and a spa with over 60 different types of treatments!
This hotel is part of the Herods Complex in Eilat – a collection of 3 hotels: The Herods Palace Hotel, theHerods Boutique Hotel, and the super-luxury Herods Vitalis Spa Hotel.
Isrotel Dead Sea Resort, Dead Sea
Ein Bokek, Dead Sea | Swimming Pool | $$$
The Isrotel Dead Sea 5-star hotel has bigger rooms than the average hotel in the area, and all rooms are overlooking the Dead Sea with their private balconies. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, or go visit the hotel’s private beach, and don’t worry about the kids they have their own games room in the hotel! The restaurant offers American style dinners and breakfasts, and if you worry about gaining weight in your vacation just go to the hotel’s gym! Facilities also include: Spa, Massage rooms, Sulphur tub, Sauna and steam bath.
The Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel, Dead Sea
Ein Gedi Kibbutz, Dead Sea | Swimming pool during the summer | $$
The Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel is ten minutes drive from the Dead Sea, and is a great solution for people who want to combine luxury with experiencing the Kibbutz life. The Kibbutz has its own private beach which you can access as a guest of the hotel. If you are travelling in the months of April to November you will also have access to the hotel’s outdoor pool. The restaurant is really good, and the grounds are very beautiful.
*** For more of the best hotels in the Dead Sea, check our ‘Best Hotels in the Dead Sea’ Guide ***
Dan Hotel Eilat, Eilat
Eilat | Swimming Pool | $$$
With elegant rooms (albeit a little dated now), decorated with warm colours and earthy tones, The Dan Eilat Hotel offers free WIFI, a swimming pool area, a squash court, an outdoor hot tub, and parking free of charge. And if you have kids, the Dan is the coolest hotel in Eilat, with a waterslide in its pool and the DanyLand kids play area.
*** For more of the best hotels in Eilat, check our ‘Best Hotels in Eilat’ Guide ***
Elma Hotel, Zichron Yaakov
Yair Street 1, Zichron Yaakov | Swimming Pool | $$$
Elma Hotel is one of the newest luxury country hotels to open in Israel, in the same league as the Carmel Forest Spa, the Beresheet Hotel, and Mizpe Hayamim.
It is perched on the side of the mountain in Zichron Yaakov, with a spectatular view of Maagan Michael Kibbutz and the beach 7km away. Zichron Yaakov is a quaint little town north of Netanya, famous for its wine production and beautiful town centre. The hotel boasts a pool and spa, an elegant restaurant, art exhibitions – and a concert room which regularly hosts cool musicians!
Vered HaGalil Farm Hotel, Sea of Galilee
Corazim, near Sea of Galilee | Swimming Pool | $$
Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this beautiful boutique hotel is a perfect spot to escape from the city… or use as a base to tour the local area.
The hotel has 31 separate chalets for guests, each with a little garden and most with amazing views, a swimming pool, an excellent chef restaurant, and a horse-farm for the adventurous!
Hilton Hotel, Tel Aviv
Hayarkon 205, Tel Aviv | Swimming Pool | $$$
A great hotel for executive travel. The location is ideal, next to the beach, the reception is efficient and professional, the rooms are spacious and well-furnished, each with a balcony, the breakfast buffet is huge and there are five kosher restaurants, and the pool is a great place to sunbathe and meet new people. The hotel has 560 rooms, and the top two floors have access to an exclusive Executive Lounge.
The hotel’s clientele is usually a mix of businessmen, or families from France, America, Russia, and the rest of Europe. The hotel also regularly hosts conferences and weddings.
VILLA BA’MOSHAVA, Jerusalem
13 Yehoshua Bin Nun Street, Jerusalem | $$
Opened in 2014, the Arcardia Ba’Moshava Boutique Hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in Jerusalem. With only 24 rooms, the hotel is located one block away from the trendy Emek HaRefaim Street (German Colony), where you can find cafes, bars and restaurants.
The rooms are equipped with either a shower or a bath, if you have any preference let them know in advance. And if you’re already on the phone with them ask for a room with a private balcony.
Isrotel Ganim Hotel, Dead Sea
Ein Bokek, Dead Sea | Swimming Pool | $$
The Isrotel Ganim Dead Sea Hotel was voted as the best hotel in The Dead Sea by TripAdvisor users in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and usually gets great reviews from members of Secret Tel Aviv!
Located in Ein Bokek, the Isrotel Ganim Dead Sea Hotel is only a few minutes away from the beach by foot. The hotel offers an indoor pool filled with seawater from the Dead Sea, an outdoor pool fresh-water pool, and a spa with a variety of treatments to indulge on in your vacation. The hotel was recently renovated, the rooms are clean, and there is a high-level of service. If you are travelling with kids you’d be happy to know that the Isrotel Ganim Dead Sea Hotel has it’s own children’s pool. Free WIFI is available throughout the entire hotel, and you also have a free parking lot.
Orchid Reef Boutique Hotel, Eilat
Eilat | Swimming Pool | $$
The Orchid Reef is a lovely small hotel, with a great pool, good conditioned rooms, and a delicious breakfast. However what really makes the hotel stand out is its location – right next to Coral Beach. This is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the more touristy North Beach, but offers free bike rental and a free shuttle bus to make the trip easier.
David Intercontinental Hotel, Tel Aviv
Yehezkel Kaufmann 12, Tel Aviv, Israel | Swimming Pool | $$$
One of Tel Aviv’s better mega-hotels, the David InterContinental is on the South of the hotel beach strip, just next to Neve Tsedek. It is great for families – with large well-furnished rooms, professional staff, kosher restaurants, and a large swimming pool!
Find the perfect hotel in the perfect location!
This guide is part of our series of Best Hotel Guides in Israel. Also check out our guides for Best Hotels in Tel Aviv, 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.