4 Best Hotels in Eilat and the Negev, Israel

The design of the glitzy Dan Eilat, by internationally acclaimed Israeli architect Adam Tihani, effectively combines high style with creature comforts. The U-shape hotel's pair of connecting two-story lobbies feature a winding glass stairway (as scary as it sounds), craggy rock walls with a water cascade, floating ceiling sculptures, a huge aviary, and a rock pool populated with iguanas. The spacious blue- and terra-cotta rooms have mirrors that you can adjust to reflect the sea. Reserve one of the terrace suites, which have large balconies and indoor whirlpool tubs. Two pools—one for serious swimmers and the other with a waterslide—anchor the large, lush outdoor area, which includes a casual poolside restaurant specializing in juicy hamburgers and hot dogs. Children can play in the supervised "Danyland" playroom or in the toddler's pool.

Direct ocean access makes this boutique property a South Beach favorite, though if you need your fix of mainstream Eilat—and we're not sure you will—free shuttles depart six times daily. Guest rooms have smart, modern color schemes, and contemporary furnishings, and decks feature beautiful wood-plank flooring instead of Eilat's typical poured concrete. Flat-screen TVs, sleeper sofas, and refrigerators for stashing drinks are also standard. The beautiful pool area leads down to the beach where chairs and umbrellas are provided for hotel guests. The surf center offers equipment and lessons, contributing to the hang-loose vibe.

The first thing you'll see when you enter this all-suite hotel is its breathtaking view of the shimmering sea and the mountains beyond. It maintains a refined air thanks to its quiet lobby, its soothing spa, and a beach exclusively for hotel guests—the only one of its kind on North Beach. Each suite in the hotel's twin seven-story towers has its own balcony. Parents can keep an eye on their children in the Kids' Club via a closed-circuit system transmitted to their in-room TV. If you feel like dancing the night away, there's a bar and a dance floor.

Solomon's entire court could easily have been accommodated at this huge and comfortably furnished family hotel. The staff attends to your every need, and everything runs like clockwork. The market-style dining room serves Chinese fare, along with many other choices. The breakfast selection is vast, and eating on the leafy, shaded terrace is a pleasure. Palm-fringed pools (one with a 50-meter waterslide) overlook the lagoon, and the children's "house" offers all-day activities. The rooms have a sleek, modern look. Garden-terrace suites have their own hot tubs.