169 Best Hotels in Israel

At the southern end of the beachfront promenade, this luxurious hotel has suites that are often reserved by visiting celebrities—and with the jaw-dropping views of the sea and the Tel Aviv skyline, it's easy to understand why. The InterContinental David Tel Aviv is especially popular among visitors seeking an upscale accommodation that is fully kosher and celebrates all the Jewish holidays. The atrium lobby has soaring ceilings, marble floors, a high-end shopping arcade, and an art gallery. The hotel also has a spacious outdoor pool area with bar service, a seaview terrace bar, three restaurants (breakfast buffet, light meals, and fine dining), cigar lounge, and the magnificent Club InterContinental lounge boasting sweeping views of the city and the Mediterranean from the 24th floor. The à la carte restaurant, nomi, specializes in seasonal Mediterranean cuisine and offers an extensive menu of Israeli wines.

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.

Compared to some of the palatial resorts of Ein Bokek, Isrotel Ganim is a smaller and less expensive property whose lobby features vintage furniture and views of the Dead Sea. Rooms are average in size, and some of the third-floor ones have balconies. Hotel guests have access to the lovely Esprit Spa, which includes Dead Sea water pools, hot tubs, and a dry sauna. The hotel offers a choice of meal plans, from breakfast only to full board.

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.

Steps from the Old City, this hotel's prime location makes it a great option if you want to be close to the action. The rooms are smallish and lack frills, but thoughtful updates and splashes of color give them a light, airy feel. Ask for an east-facing room above the sixth floor to guarantee an Old City view. The dining room and bar have a modern feel.

Each room at this friendly kibbutz lodging is like a cozy studio apartment, with pine furnishings and chintz curtains. Clusters of rooms share private patios where you can get to know your fellow guests. Breakfast is served in the kibbutz dining room. Joseph's Well offers few activities, but is a good base for exploring the Upper Galilee.

With a peaceful rural location high on a mountain, the relaxed kibbutz atmosphere of this hotel mainly caters to Jewish religious travelers and family groups. Many of the spacious guest rooms feature spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. A full-service restaurant, a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool (separate bathing hours for men and women), a health club, and a playground are some of the on-site attractions. Ask to see the synagogue-furniture factory and the unique apparatus set up in the cowsheds to milk the cows on Saturday without violating the Sabbath. The furnishings in rooms are basic but comfortable. The wireless Internet is free.

The lobby of this family-oriented, all-inclusive property—which supplies buffets and alcohol all day long—has huge windows that overlook a pretty pool. The hotel has several children's clubs, as well as theme-park rides, kiddie pools, video games, and day-care service. For the adults, there is a dry sauna, wet sauna, and a spa with Dead Sea water. Parking can be a menace, and the facilities bear witness to the many children it hosts.

Cascading down a hillside, this all-inclusive, all-suites hotel boasts an unimpeded view of the lake. The spacious units sleep at least four, and the rate is the same up to that number. This classic vacation property, part of the international Leonardo chain, has a cheerful, upbeat style, an all-season team to engage kids, and a good health club to relax parents. Downtown is less than 10 minutes away by car or cab.

A huge circular skylight in the middle of the lobby gives this hotel a sense of light and space. Rooms have parquet floors, sophisticated color schemes, and beds covered with crisp linens. "Superior" is the house term for standard rooms; the better "deluxe" rooms are on the 8th floor and have private balconies. This place is favored by local families and large tour groups.

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.

Overlooking Independence Park, the 22-story Leonardo Plaza is a Jerusalem landmark with terrific views, especially from upper floors. Popular with a religious Jewish clientele, the sleek guest rooms are done up in black and white. Primavera, the Italian restaurant presided over by acclaimed chef Shalom Kadosh, has won kudos locally for its tasty food and elegant atmosphere.

With lake views, comfortable rooms, relaxing common areas, and a variety of spa services, the Leonardo Plaza is a welcoming spot. The hotel overlooks the water, but does not have lake frontage. Of the three Leonardo hotels in Tiberias this is the most luxurious. Rooms feature either a sea or mountain view, and many have balconies to enjoy the spectacular scenery. In the summer an outdoor swimming pool is available for guests.

With a view over the Galilee all to way to the Kinneret, the Levin Nof Marhiv will encourage you to stop and take a breath of fresh air. Order a relaxing massage, soak in your hot tub, or enjoy vegan delicacies from the neighborhood eateries. If you need a well-deserved break from touring the nearby sights, spend some time in one of the rustic rooms or cabins and enjoy the gentle rhythm of the peaceful countryside.

This handsome Ottoman-style mansion with dramatic arched windows sits on the edge of a residential neighborhood dotted with many shops and restaurants. Some rooms at this budget-conscious lodging are a little cramped, but all have nice touches like hardwood floors and refrigerators. Family rooms have space for up to five people to sleep comfortably. A room with vaulted ceilings serves as an inviting bar and coffee shop, and in warm weather the action spills out onto a shaded courtyard.

The small hotel makes no pretensions about being a full-service facility, but it is comfortably furnished, a good value, and within walking distance of the Old City. There is some street noise, but double-glazed windows help. Some of the rooms are more spacious than others, especially those for families. In warm months, enjoy plenty of outdoor seating for breakfast.

Tucked into an alleyway behind the souk in the Armenian Quarter, this guesthouse is a maze of stone buildings and tranquil gardens. It has beautiful views of Jerusalem's holiest places. The single rooms are very small, so reserve a larger one if space is important. Room 25 and 36 have their own balcony.

At the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, this kibbutz has arguably the most enchanting view of all the properties around the lake. The furnishings are comfortable but not luxurious. Choose between regular guest rooms or spacious suites with living rooms, small bedrooms, kitchenettes, and patios. The food isn't memorable, but the facilities—extensive lawns, sandy beach, swimming pool near the shore—make it the best deal around. There is a smaller pool and play area for kids. Complete your trip by renting a bike and taking in the scenery while you ride.

This boutique hotel in a renovated 19th-century house is run by the Maan lil-Hayat (Together for Life) group that uses its proceeds to support its programs for Palestinians with intellectual disabilities. Many of the staff who clean the rooms and do laundry are living with disabilities themselves. The rooms are decorated with beautiful original floor tiles and some have arched ceilings. Breakfast is fresh and varied and served in an airy dining room that has intricate paintings and a balcony over the city. This hotel is wheelchair accessible.

This moderately priced hostel at the foot of Masada is the most convenient lodging for those intent on watching the spectacular sunrise over the Dead Sea; it has single, double, and family rooms, each with private bath. An outdoor swimming pool operates from mid-August to early November. Friday night's higher price includes dinner. For an additional fee, you can order lunch or packed meals.

Located across from the beach, Maxim has simply decorated rooms, many with sea views. While it may not be fancy (and certainly isn't a "design" hotel despite being billed as one), it's one of only a few no-frills, affordable seafront properties in Tel Aviv. There's a continental feel about the place, owing in part to the many languages heard in the lobby when guests come in after a day at the beach.

A location on a side street between Hayarkon Street and Ben Yehuda means this amiable five-story hotel is a short walk from the beach and a growing crop of cafés and restaurants. Rooms have pleasing modern furnishings, and the place has a businesslike efficiency that makes it ideal for short stays. The four fifth-floor suites are good for traveling families.

This Greek-themed hotel is built low to the ground and decorated in white and blue. Some rooms have their own private outdoor pools. Breakfast is fresh and abundant with vegetable salads, smoked fish, and a wide cheese selection. Chill out with a spa treatment or marinate in the hotel's sauna, Turkish bath, sulfur pool, and outdoor pool. Step off the property and right onto the Dead Sea beach. There is live music some nights.

Catering to a business crowd, this modern, well-designed hotel is built into a pine-shaded slope. The glass-domed lobby, with mauve and silver couches set off by floral arrangements, opens onto a restaurant that has spectacular views and serves Moroccan dishes. The executive floor has a fully equipped and well-stocked 24-hour business lounge and billiards room. Half the rooms, which have wooden furniture and soothing tones, have gorgeous bay views, especially the ones on the sixth floor with balconies.

Don't expect luxury at this family-owned five-story hotel; what you can count on is good value and a warm welcome. The compact rooms have simple modern furnishings, and the entrance has pleasant sitting areas on an attractive veranda. There's no pool, but the beach is a short walk away. There's a sundeck on the roof, and self-service coffee machines are in the hallways.

The side-street location in the center of town—on a pedestrian-only block with shops and restaurants just outside the front door—adds to the serenity of this reasonably priced hotel. The lobby is an aesthetic blend of rough limestone walls, parquet and flagstone floors, and faux-leather sofas. The modestly sized rooms have flat-screen TVs, large mirrors, and simple wood furnishings. Rooms facing the street are larger, and the windows are double-paned to keep out the noise. The rooftop terrace is great on warm nights.

Five minutes from the Old City, this historic hotel puts you in close proximity to Jerusalem's great sights. Back in the 1950s, this was the favorite Jerusalem hangout for Jordan's King Hussein. Rooms are small but decorated with wood furnishings, and family rooms sleep up to four. The well-equipped gym, ground-floor coffee shop, and the al-Watani rooftop restaurant are nice bonuses.