18 Best Hotels in Eilat and the Negev, Israel

The palatial entrance of this grand hotel is certainly fit for a queen, capped with a pillared dome rising between two turrets. On either side is a wing with more than 200 rooms. Elegant curtains cover the windows of the 40-foot-high lobby and mosaics of biblical animals cover the floor. The queen must have loved cats—images of them are everywhere. Most bedrooms have gold-framed mirrors and marble bathrooms with hand-painted murals. Rooms on even-numbered floors have balconies (some with their own whirlpool tubs) facing the sea or the marina. Transparent gold-cage elevators offer views of the atrium as they rise.

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.

The blink-and-you-miss-it driveway (you've gone too far if you see the sign pointing to Eilat) doesn't befit this luxurious property's magnificent natural setting or its status as one of Israel's most expensive hotels. The sweeping lobby has glossy marble floors and smashing views of the crater beyond, as do the terraces in many of the rooms. Private villas, in groups of low-rise buildings, are designed to resemble modest Nabatean huts, but the interiors feature whirlpool tubs, handsome showers, and wooden shutters that open up into sleeping areas. The gorgeous outdoor pool areas are a great perk in the warmer months, while in winter you can swim laps in the candlelit indoor pool. Dinner at the restaurant is better than serviceable, but pales in comparison to the lavish breakfast. Downstairs there's a full spa, a small sauna, and a children's play area.

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.

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.

Designed with the legendary king in mind, this massive hotel is all about over-the-top opulence and Vegas-style pizzazz. The dramatic, 12-story lobby, decorated with wrought-iron chandeliers, carved marble planters, and mosaic tiles, graces the main building. The spa wing keeps things serene with an adults-only policy. Touches of luxury are apparent everywhere, from the minaret towers that greet you outside to the Romanesque domes, arches, bridges, and niches inside, all designed by well-known architect Yoav Igra to convey Israel's archaeological heritage. Rooms are spacious, with elegant furnishings and lush fabrics. The pool sits at the end of an avenue of palm trees—it looks as though it flows straight into the sea. Note that the Herods chain has three hotels in Eilat, all in the same location; the Herods Vitalis and Herods Boutique are the others.

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.

The name means "lakes," so it's no surprise that this cluster of four-floor buildings is set amid palm trees, emerald grass, and tropical plants, around a lagoon-shaped pool with hammocks and swing chairs. Pale green wicker chairs invite leisure time on the nearby terrace. Many rooms extend over the curving waterways that flow from the pool, and all have private balconies. Recessed lighting casts a soft light on the luxe furnishings in each room.

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.

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.

Across from Coral Beach, this charming property has a six-story wing—where most of the rooms have balconies facing the sea—as well as a couple of three-story buildings set amid private gardens. There's even a wing intended for small groups of snorkelers and divers—it faces the Manta Dive Center, which offers two- and five-day certification courses. The hotel's entrance, facing the Eilat Mountains, is up a palm-lined drive; inside, the decor is modern and lively. The color scheme of the guest rooms is particularly attractive, with pale woods and earth tones. Just across the road are the beach and a seafood restaurant.

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.

Sitting along the promenade, near the beach and the marina, this hotel is within walking distance of everything. The rooms along outside corridors are done up in nautical shades, and most face the sea or pool. For pure pampering, request one with its own whirlpool tubs. American tour groups and French visitors are partial to this place. The well-regarded spa has an outdoor hot tub with sea views and a large, private tanning terrace.

On the promenade, across from Royal Beach (Eilat's answer to Miami's South Beach), this sprawling hotel blends comfort, glamour, and sophistication. The serene atrium is furnished with cushy leather couches and decorated with cobalt-blue sculptures suspended from the ceiling. Three-story glass windows frame graceful bamboo and palm trees. A large terrace—crammed with colorful flowers, overhead fans, and kilim rugs—faces the Bay of Eilat, providing views that are all the more stunning at sundown. Rooms have comfortable sofas and chairs and private balconies, and suites have their own whirlpool tubs. For the best views, ask for a higher floor.

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.