2 Best Hotels in Eilat and the Negev, Israel

Down an unpaved road, this out-of-the-ordinary cluster of stone-and-wood huts sits on a rocky hillside; for the rugged traveler seeking the starkness and purity of the desert, it's an appealing example of ecotourism. Each hut has a carpet on its earthen floor and a mattress piled with cozy blankets; household essentials include a tea corner, a clay water jar, and copper bowls for ablutions. The units are solar-powered, and there's an eco-friendly toilet cabin. Guests eat in the communal dining room. You can ask a staff member to pick you up from outside the Isrotel Ramon Inn. Plan to arrive before dark.

The Ottoman Empire's early-20th-century expansion plans envisaged Beersheva as a regional capital, and the Turks built handsome stone structures in what is now the Old City; this special boutique lodging occupies one of them and is notable for its central courtyard, gorgeous stone walls, and spacious interiors. Guest rooms have small kitchenettes, and all are at ground level, although uneven stone walkways and a vintage entrance gate do not mean easy accessibility.