169 Best Hotels in Israel

This upscale hotel, with a contemporary structure linking two older, superbly refurbished Ottoman-style ones, has a pleasingly asymmetrical design filled with pleasant surprises, such as a roof terrace, where you can enjoy a drink or light meal. There's also an inviting courtyard with a waterfall, a spa, and an outdoor pool. Everywhere are views of the lake. The aesthetics are wonderful, with nicely decorated rooms and well-appointed bathrooms. The Scots Hotel was originally a missionary hospital, erected in 1894 by a Scottish surgeon who felt called to treat the sick in the Holy Land. The hospital operated until 1959; in 1999 the Church of Scotland renovated the complex into this luxurious property. A wonderful wine bar is on premises. 

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.

As hip as the city around it, this fun boutique hotel offers good-quality accommodation in an unbeatable location at a reasonable price (at least by Tel Aviv standards), making it a great find. There are several areas to lounge, including the book-lined "living room" lobby area, the roof deck with its outdoor showers and sleek white bathtub as well as private massage area, and the garden bar in the back that is one of trendiest bars in the city. Instead of the typical breakfast buffet, you get to choose from among three nearby local cafés. For excursions farther afield, the hotel offers free bike usage. The rooms are inviting, and although they're on the small side, they use the space well.

The three buildings of this seaside hotel are surrounded by flower-filled gardens that lead to a swimming pool overlooking the sea. The standard rooms in the older part of the hotel are tastefully decorated and have balconies with sea views. The newer section has rooms facing either the pool or the marina. Rooms on the ground floor have their own outdoor whirlpools, making them perfect for couples. Organized activities keep children and teenagers amused on weekends, and there are midweek activities for kids in summer.

A lovely sundeck, deluxe rooms with delightful views, and a funky lobby lounge give this hotel a contemporary appeal. Staff are accommodating and great food is a constant draw for guests. Rooms are painted in cheerful shades of burnt orange and mustard yellow. Work out in the small, modern gym or by making the short walk to the Old City.

Equidistant from Tel Aviv and Haifa, this four-story chain hotel suits business executives and vacationers alike, and the 15 acres of landscaped lawns, sparkling swimming pool, and 18-hole minigolf course make it great for families. All the guest rooms have balconies overlooking the sea or the countryside. Especially recommended are the comfortable deluxe doubles, with marble bathrooms and modern decor in cheerful hues. The Caesar Hall restaurant overlooks the pool. The hotel is a short drive to the beach and Caesarea. Bikes are on hand for riding around in the conveniently flat countryside.

Beautifully situated on the heights of Merkaz Carmel, this longtime favorite has stately charm and a devoted staff. Guest rooms are decorated in soothing hues and feature sleek, modern furnishings and narrow balconies with views over the city or bay below. The pool area, surrounded by a large garden with potted geraniums and many trees, is pleasant and breezy. The concierge can direct you to several excellent restaurants within an easy walk of the hotel. Several dining choices are available in the hotel as well.

Cascading down Mount Scopus, the sprawling Dan Jerusalem has spectacular views, an oasis-like pool, and a bold design. The sophisticated spa, popular among Jerusalemites and tour groups, includes an authentic marble Turkish bath, which was imported piece by piece. About a third of the guest rooms overlook the Old City. Common areas are clean and spacious, but the decor is a bit outdated. Suites are spacious and offer extra amenities like socks, chocolates, and wine. The location is far from Downtown, but the light-rail is nearby.

The glitzier younger sister of the Dan Carmel up the road, this 21-story hotel is popular with business executives, thanks, in part, to a comfortable second-floor lobby with a circular bar. Rooms are spacious with blue-and-yellow design and pale-wood furnishings. Many look out onto the gold-topped Baha'i Shrine and the bay, while the rest have lovely city views. The hotel is connected to the Panorama Center mall, with casual eateries and boutiques.

The guest rooms at this 11-story landmark in the middle of the hotel district are a bit compact, but thoughtful lighting, well-placed furnishings, and interesting artwork make a difference. It's worth spending a bit more to stay in one of the updated rooms, which have loads of light and are more spacious. Modern touches include flat-screen TVs and handy writing desks. The rooftop terrace has a 360-degree view of Jerusalem.

At the southern end of the beach, this high-rise is a short walk from Jaffa and Neve Tzedek. All the rooms and suites have balconies, many with the sea views that gave the hotel its name. The pool is said to be among the largest in the city, and the nearby barbecue grills are a plus in the summer. The hotel is especially popular among business travelers and tour groups.

This stunning mansion has been in the Hameiri family since it was built in the late 1880s. The current generation has renovated the rooms and landscaped the grounds with an elegant touch. Most rooms have stained-glass doors and vaulted ceilings; it's worth asking for one of the pair with private terraces.

At this three-story hostelry inside a former Turkish police station, original wooden doors lead in to a small lobby, where a painted plaster rosette decorates the gold ceiling. The lavish old-world design has received some updates—original bathrooms are beautifully modernized—but original stonework remains in the windows and walls. Double rooms are decorated in brown, caramel, and beige, and net curtains embroidered with flowers frame the windows. Each of the five family rooms has a loft with two beds so four people can settle in comfortably. The rooftop café showcases the lovely skyline of Old Akko.

One of East Jerusalem's longtime favorites, the Ambassador has been tastefully renovated with loads of Jerusalem stone. Rooms are airy and well appointed; for extra space, upgrade to a junior guest room with an Old City view. In fine weather, the Al-Diwan restaurant—Middle Eastern and Italian fare, mostly—expands to the patio where there is a summer bar in the inviting garden. It's a 15-minute walk from Salah-A-Din Street in downtown East Jerusalem.

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.

One of Tiberias's better moderately priced hotels, the Astoria is set away from the lake, but there are still views from some of the guest rooms. What it lacks in location, it makes up for in quality. The hotel is comfortable and family run, with furnishings done up in attractive pastels. Large family rooms are available.

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.

Batia's and Claude's small B&B is quiet and hidden behind masses of hot-pink bougainvillea. The ground-level Provence Apartment has a little garden and patio and is furnished in antique French provincial style, with armchairs and a pullout sofa in the large living area, plus a good-size bedroom and kitchenette. The two-level Green Room studio has art deco touches. Olives from the yard, local cheeses, and homemade bread and jam make breakfast, which costs extra, a treat. Be sure to visit the antique store and Batia's art studio.

This unique hotel pays homage to the building's origins as the Ohel Theatre, with fun quirks such as theater posters and a photo booth. Guests can start their exploration of the city with a delicious breakfast and end it with a relaxing drink at the daily Happy Hour before heading out again to enjoy the vibrant nightlife just around the corner on Dizengoff Street.

This romantic boutique hotel has great views of the sea and is a five-minute walk to the beach, making it a perfect couples' getaway. The modern rooms and lobby tend to the small side, but guest rooms are freshly decorated in earth tones with sparkling ceramic fixtures. The attentive staff will greet you with a cold drink and a warm smile.

This family-run hotel has spacious rooms, most with balconies. A car is an advantage here, but there is frequent public transportation downtown (except on the Sabbath). Rooms have kitchens, so the supermarket across the street is very convenient. 

The four suites owned by Judit Sheraf and Avi Ram are the perfect place for a family weekend: each cottage has a double bedroom, a living room that sleeps three, a kitchenette, a heated outdoor Jacuzzi, and a very large private yard with grill and hammock or swing set. A generous Israeli breakfast can be brought to your cabin for an extra fee. The large private pool is open from April to October; the grounds also have an outdoor hot tub and massage room.

A cross between a guesthouse and a hostel, this modern limestone and basalt building is wrapped around a courtyard shaded by palm trees. Many rooms, including suites with private balconies, have great views east over the Jordan Valley. All are simply but agreeably furnished. The lobby café is a good spot to enjoy pizzas and sandwiches. Make sure to see the memorable mural humorously depicting life in ancient Beit She'an.

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.

Perfect for those looking to enjoy beautiful sea views at a lower cost. The sun balcony allows guests to make the most of this beachside location with its numerous hot tubs and sun loungers. 

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.

Part of a small national chain, the lakefront Caesar has views from all rooms. Common areas are nicely decorated in marble, brass, and leather, providing islands of intimacy inside and out. The spacious guest rooms have tasteful, if unexceptional, furnishings, and every suite has a whirlpool bath. The outside pool area is entirely concrete, while the warm indoor pool uses natural thermal spring water from Hammat Gader. A large gym and range of treatments make the spa a definite attraction.

This classic five-star hotel on the Tel Aviv beachfront has held up better than many of its nearby neighbors, and its friendly service and casual atmosphere make it a favorite with tour groups. Corporate travelers enjoy its business lounge. The Carlton may be a massive hotel, but its lobby features intimate sitting areas, each showcasing the work of a different artist. Bowls of fruit and feather duvets are welcome pampering touches, as are the fresh juice and newspapers in the morning and the complimentary milk and cookies delivered to your room in the evening. The accommodations, with double-glazed windows that help muffle traffic noise, are designed in pleasant muted colors. The hotel also has a rooftop pool, a glass-enclosed gym, and the option of breakfast on a deck facing the beach.

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.