19 Best Hotels in Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, Israel

Scientist Nabil Rishmawi renovated his grandmother's house and created a gorgeous heritage hotel where he serves breakfast on a shaded courtyard. In the evenings, you will find him waiting up for you at the front desk. Two pistachio trees grow on the roof within eyesight of the Church of the Nativity. All rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and thick walls. Ask for a room with a window, as not all have them. You may wake up to the sound of clanging church bells, but in Bethlehem that is part of the charm.

The name translates to "vineyards," and grapes are the inspiration for every facet of this spa hotel set in the beautiful Jerusalem hills, including the trellis surrounding the estate. Rooms are decorated in calming shades of violet and green, and most have balconies. There are wine workshops in the on-site shop, and wine-themed quotes from Song of Songs printed on the walls. Indoor and outdoor pools, a Turkish hammam, and 40 spa treatment rooms add to the understated luxury. Enjoy the dizzying variety of the buffet on tables overlooking the property's vineyards. The Imperial Red Bar, a branch of the famous Tel Aviv cocktail bar, draws both hotel guests and locals. The hotel is quite pricey, but booking in advance can help scout deals, and spa day packages are also available.

Desert ibexes walk the footpaths between the deluxe rooms of this hotel, which is surrounded by majestic baobab trees and overlooks the blue expanse of the Dead Sea. Sadly, the beach here is closed due to sinkholes, and the nearest alternative is a 30-minute drive away. However, on-site amenities include a half-Olympic freshwater pool overlooking the desert. You may want to reserve one of the superior rooms, which include espresso machines and entry to the Synergy Spa that's complete with a Dead Sea–water pool. Ask ahead about free activities, including guided tours by day and night on the paths of the nearby nature preserve. If you don't have a car, Egged public buses stop right outside the lobby.

This palatial hotel is decorated in relaxing blues, teals, and grays to echo the natural landscape. Rooms have unbeatable views; nearly all have balconies, and some have access to a private pool and garden. The pampering spa has a Turkish bathhouse and offers exfoliating body scrubs given atop a marble table decorated with colorful tiles. There is also an indoor pool filled with warm Dead Sea water. Full board is a good option here, as the food is delicious. Premium rooms have espresso machines.

Gorgeous design, a sprawling pool complex, and friendly service make this a top pick for a Dead Sea stay. Wood dominates the decor, from a ground-floor wall carving of date palms and fruit to the furniture inside the rooms. The spa includes an indoor sulfur pool and a Dead Sea–water pool that has both indoor and outdoor sections. Bookings include buffet breakfasts and an option to add on buffet dinner, which is a good idea in a town with few restaurants. If your budget allows, get a room on the Moab floors, which have upgraded amenities and access to the business lounge.

This hotel conceptualized by the renowned-but-anonymous graffiti artist Banksy and others has "the worst view in the world" (the concrete slabs of the Israeli-built separation barrier in Bethlehem), as well as a lobby and bar decorated with things like slingshots and a statue of David surrounded by a plume of tear gas. A small museum with riveting artifacts gives an excellent history of the conflict. Double rooms are pricey compared to other Bethlehem hotels, but the stay here will be memorable. The presidential suite has a fountain running through a bullet-punctured water tank. 

The main terrace and every room of this luxurious, award-winning small hotel face the desert. All rooms have modern furnishings in desert hues; some also have private outdoor hot tubs. Unique desert plants grow throughout the property, and hospitality has a personal touch. The owners can advise on hiking and biking, activities that you can enjoy nearby after eating an abundant breakfast as you take in the desert breeze.

A Palestinian family built this guesthouse into their winter home steps from ancient Jericho and the Mount of Temptation. The hotel name is a play on words for eggplant, a nod to the farm where the owners raise fruit, vegetables, chickens, and a goat. The produce features in breakfast and a light all-day menu of salads, cheese, and meat. Guests can also enroll in cooking classes, or sign up for hikes and guided city tours. Ask for a room with a balcony.

Rooms are named for nearby villages in this stone-walled, clean, and modest guesthouse that overlooks a busy market street a few steps from Manger Square. Breakfast is served on a shaded terrace outside. This guesthouse shares space with an artists' initiative, so don't be surprised to encounter young singers or painters in the lobby. It is also part of the Lutheran Evangelical Christmas Church of Bethlehem, which dates back 150 years. Ask for a quieter room facing the courtyard.

A cut above its neighbors, this hotel has spacious, nicely furnished rooms and thoughtful child-friendly touches like walking trails, hammocks and a musical garden. Standard rooms have hardwood floors and lots of light from the large windows. In garden rooms, doors lead to small outdoor patios where you can pick your own herbs. Suites with their own whirlpool tubs are available. The rustic yet modern lobby has a wood-burning fireplace along with sculptures and paintings by local artists. Guests have free access to a gym and pool a short walk away.

Reached via a trail of baby palm trees, Ein Bokek's largest hotel stands out for its cavernous lobby, wonderful views, delightful spa, and endless swimming pool. The pool is surrounded by plenty of chaise lounges; nearby hammocks provide a great place to unwind. Enjoy free access to indoor and outdoor Dead Sea–water pools, or pay extra for treatments in the spacious spa. A shuttle zips you to the hotel's private beach.

Great views, a half-Olympic pool, delicious brunches, and a nearby Galita chocolate factory offering kid-friendly workshops make this hotel a great choice for families. Guests get free access to the Kiftzuba amusement park. Hikes to the Cave of John the Baptist, where he is said to have immersed believers in water, are popular. Suites can accommodate up to five people and include separate bedrooms, kitchens, and porches with magnificent views of the Judean Hills. Arrive on Friday to sample fish, cheeses, and salads in the hotel's unique brunch.

Compared to some of the palatial resorts of Ein Bokek, Isrotel Ganim is a smaller and less expensive property whose lobby features vintage furniture and views of the Dead Sea. Rooms are average in size, and some of the third-floor ones have balconies. Hotel guests have access to the lovely Esprit Spa, which includes Dead Sea water pools, hot tubs, and a dry sauna. The hotel offers a choice of meal plans, from breakfast only to full board.

The lobby of this family-oriented, all-inclusive property—which supplies buffets and alcohol all day long—has huge windows that overlook a pretty pool. The hotel has several children's clubs, as well as theme-park rides, kiddie pools, video games, and day-care service. For the adults, there is a dry sauna, wet sauna, and a spa with Dead Sea water. Parking can be a menace, and the facilities bear witness to the many children it hosts.

This boutique hotel in a renovated 19th-century house is run by the Maan lil-Hayat (Together for Life) group that uses its proceeds to support its programs for Palestinians with intellectual disabilities. Many of the staff who clean the rooms and do laundry are living with disabilities themselves. The rooms are decorated with beautiful original floor tiles and some have arched ceilings. Breakfast is fresh and varied and served in an airy dining room that has intricate paintings and a balcony over the city. This hotel is wheelchair accessible.

This moderately priced hostel at the foot of Masada is the most convenient lodging for those intent on watching the spectacular sunrise over the Dead Sea; it has single, double, and family rooms, each with private bath. An outdoor swimming pool operates from mid-August to early November. Friday night's higher price includes dinner. For an additional fee, you can order lunch or packed meals.

This Greek-themed hotel is built low to the ground and decorated in white and blue. Some rooms have their own private outdoor pools. Breakfast is fresh and abundant with vegetable salads, smoked fish, and a wide cheese selection. Chill out with a spa treatment or marinate in the hotel's sauna, Turkish bath, sulfur pool, and outdoor pool. Step off the property and right onto the Dead Sea beach. There is live music some nights.

This guesthouse in Beit Jala sits on pretty grounds with 5 kilometers (3 miles) of paved walkways. It began as a girls' boarding school and today remains part of the German Evangelical Lutheran School. Rooms are modest but clean and air conditioned. Breakfast is made with local produce and spices like za'atar and olive oil. It's a short taxi ride away from the hubbub of Manger Square, and worth it if you want a retreat where kids can stretch their legs. The guesthouse can also arrange transfers from the airport and excursions.

Spread over beautifully landscaped gardens, this hotel is ideal for nature lovers and families. It has a health club, including an heated indoor lap pool, gym, sauna, and whirlpool bath. Some rooms lead to a garden patio. For a secluded getaway, ask about suites in the Gordonia section. In August, guests have access to a nearby large outdoor community swimming pool.