5 Best Hotels in Eilat and the Negev, Israel

These six cabins are designed for anyone craving an authentic Negev experience. As part of their vision for the farm complex they've built from the ground up, Hannah and Eyal Israel designed the structures for comfort and relaxation amid natural settings. Each features tiled stone tubs, upholstered wood furnishings, and creature comforts like espresso machines and stereo systems. The fridge comes stocked with milk, wine, and fruit, and a gorgeous Israeli breakfast is delivered to your door each morning, to be enjoyed amid the splendor of vineyards, fruit trees, and herb bushes. Take time to visit the winery on the premises.

Here's a little piece of heaven on the outskirts of Mitzpe Ramon: a laid-back, two-story lodging with five lovely guest rooms that have covered terraces facing the surrounding desert hills. Each room has a bleached-wood floor, handmade furnishings, and sofas piled with Moroccan cushions. A breakfast of local delicacies is delivered to your room each morning.

Set in the slowly developing industrial zone, this unpretentious boutique restaurant--hotel has half a dozen high-ceilinged suites outfitted with modern furnishings, local beauty products, and cozy fireplaces—some even have private jetted tubs. The small restaurant has an outside seating area and serves Israeli breakfasts and homemade granola until 12:30. Lunch and dinner service starts at 12:30, featuring a seasonally changing menu of pasta, steak, chicken, and desserts.

There's nothing rugged about a stay at this charming desert hotel, which has an open fireplace in the lobby for chilly winter nights. Choose between pastel-and-white studio apartments (perfect for one or two) or two- or three-room suites (for up to six guests). Suites also have well-equipped kitchenettes where you can whip up your own meals. The 20-yard-long heated indoor swimming pool would not be out of place at any luxury hotel. The helpful staff is happy to arrange four-wheeling adventures, horseback riding tours, or nighttime excursions when there's a full moon. Even if you're not staying here, the restaurant is worth a visit; hearty buffet meals are enlivened by condiments made by local cooks.

This business-oriented property, the biggest and most well-known chain hotel in town, also has some amenities that appeal to leisure travelers. The 12-story building's beige-and-brown stone mimics the desert surroundings, and its arched windows make it appear less angular than the city's other structures. Guest rooms have great work spaces and convenient reading lights. The breezy outdoor patio, with babbling fountains, is a cool place to relax in the hot desert climate. The hotel's outdoor pool is open from April to October.