Must-see hotels in Israel & the Palestinian Territories

  • Safed Inn

    Upper Galilee & Golan

    Opened in 1936, this garden guesthouse has a sauna, an outdoor hot tub (open 8pm to 11pm), washing machines and 18 comfortable rooms (including one that's…

  • Cinema Guesthouse

    West Bank

    A quiet spot in the heart of chaotic Jenin, this is a great place to meet other travellers (or NGO workers, journalists, activists and the like) and…

  • Mendeli Street Hotel

    Tel Aviv

    In summer, the living is both easy and glamorous at this hotel close to Frishman Beach. The hotel foyer and restaurant are design magazine chic, and the…

  • Shenkin Hotel

    Tel Aviv

    Its mantra is 'locals know best', and the excellent recommendations supplied by the Shenkin's friendly staff certainly prove the point. A small and…

  • Grushka Country Accommodation

    Caesarea

    An effusive Dutch owner sets the tone for this amiable four-room guesthouse. Wood ceilings, attic rooms and the occasional clog infuse it with Dutch…

  • King David Hotel

    Jerusalem

    One of Jerusalem's grandest addresses is the 1930s-era King David, whose art-deco stylings, from velvet couches and gold drapery to marble-top tables,…

  • Cramim Spa & Wine

    Israel

    Framed by roses and vines, the luxurious Cramim resort lulls guests into total relaxation. Rooms are neutral-toned, calming spaces with broad beds, floor…

  • Khan Be'erotayim

    The Negev

    In the middle of nowhere not far from the Egyptian frontier, this ecofriendly encampment (elevation 360m) is an excellent spot to enjoy the quiet of the…

  • Mamilla Hotel

    Jerusalem

    For the fashionable set, this swish hotel couldn't be better located: east is pedestrianised Mamilla Mall, while the restaurants and bars of Hillel St …

  • Bikta BeKadita

    Upper Galilee & Golan

    Perched on an isolated hilltop, artsy, rustic Bikta BeKadita – inspired by the American back-to-nature movement of the 1960s – has an ecological…

  • National Hotel

    East Jerusalem

    This venerable hotel has come a long way since it was a two-room guesthouse in 1948. The hotel's 121 rooms have smart navy-and-white beds, cooling tiled…

  • Rimonim Galei Kinnereth

    Tiberias

    A favourite of David Ben-Gurion back in the 1950s, the doyen of the Tiberias hotel scene – opened in 1946 – retains some of its late-Mandate-era charm…

  • Colony Hotel Haifa

    Haifa

    This tastefully updated Templer building is the ideal spot to soak up the German Colony's history and atmosphere. Its 40 rooms have large windows, high…

  • Alma Hotel

    Tel Aviv

    The lovely light-green 1920s building, theatrical decor and on-site restaurant and tapas bar are the main draws at this boutique choice just off…

  • Beit Maimon Hotel

    North Coast

    With hardwood furnishings, stone-tiled bathrooms, genuine service and Mediterranean views from the breakfast terrace, Beit Maimon balances cosiness with…

  • Little House in Rehavia

    Jerusalem

    A midrange gem in a pretty residential neighbourhood, Little House's 1929 stone building has plenty of character, and the staff is just as charming…

  • Me'ever

    Mitzpe Ramon

    Run mainly by volunteers, this 'creative space' – in a 1000-sq-metre hangar – hosts alternative festivals, events and workshops for up to 600 people and…

  • Scots Hotel

    Tiberias

    Built in the 1890s as a hospital, this sumptuously restored complex – still owned by the Church of Scotland – is graced by meticulously tended gardens,…

  • Green Backpackers

    Mitzpe Ramon

    Run with enthusiasm by keen hikers Lee and Yoash, this home-style hostel on the edge of town, with 24 beds, is the local backpacker hub. There's a tiny…

  • Hotel Mizpe Hayamim

    Upper Galilee & Golan

    One of Israel’s most exclusive hotels, this plush hillside establishment is set in 15 hectares of gorgeous gardens, with 97 rooms and suites that are as…

  • David Citadel Hotel

    Jerusalem

    Some large hotels resemble microcities, with enough leisure facilities and dining choices that you never need to leave. The 400-room David Citadel fits…

  • Golan Garden Hostel

    Golan Heights

    This mellow 18-bed place – run by super-friendly Alon and Daniel – has a chill-out lounge with bean-bag chairs, a full kitchen for self-caterers, dorm…

  • Ruah Glilit

    Upper Galilee & Golan

    George Samaan (Saman), an internationally known oud, saz and violin player (you can see him on YouTube), and his wife Eva offer guests a warm, musical…

  • Inbar Country Lodging

    Sea of Galilee

    Israel's smallest kibbutz (just five families) runs a delightful hillside guesthouse, part of the ILH network, where hammocks swing amid tranquil,…

  • HI Knights Hostel

    Akko

    Looking more like part of the old city walls than a modern hostel, this 76-room IYHA hostel runs like clockwork. The clean dorm and private rooms feel…

  • Ibdaa Cultural Centre Guesthouse

    Bethlehem

    A great little hostel in the cultural centre of the same name, Ibdaa is located in the narrow streets of Dheisheh refugee camp, a 20-minute drive out of…

  • Silent Arrow

    Mitzpe Ramon

    Seeking the tranquillity and simplicity of the desert? This encampment may fit the bill. A 20-minute (1.5km) walk from town, it offers basic accommodation…

  • Vitrage Guesthouse

    Nazareth

    More a homestay than a B&B, this simply furnished nine-room guesthouse is run by Bishara, a retired vitrage ('stained glass' in French) artisan, who grew…

  • Nof Ginosar Hotel

    Sea of Galilee

    This kibbutz old-timer, founded in 1964, has 170 elegant hotel rooms, 75 'country lodging' rooms, a gym (opened in 2017), flowery grounds and its very own…

  • InnSense Suites

    Mitzpe Ramon

    Mitzpe's first boutique hostelry makes innovative use of one of the Spice Route Quarter's cavernous industrial buildings. The six suites here are huge,…

  • Merom Golan Resort Village

    Golan Heights

    Rest your saddle-weary body at this attractive and very comfortable resort village, which has 46 wood-and-basalt, spa-equipped chalets and 32 guestrooms…

  • Pina Barosh

    Upper Galilee & Golan

    The seven atmospheric rooms (there’s also a luxury villa), arrayed around the central courtyard of a one-time livestock yard, feature vaulted ceilings,…

  • Artist Quarter Guest House

    Upper Galilee & Golan

    Northern Californians Joy and Evan Yisrael warmly welcome guests to their two spacious, Ottoman-era rooms, both with high, vaulted stone ceilings and…

  • Melach HaAretz

    Dead Sea

    Has two studio apartments off a garden (great for kids) decorated with garrulous owner Asaf Madmony's extraordinary stone, wood and metal sculptures.

  • AlReda Guesthouse

    Nazareth

    On the top floor of an Ottoman mansion, this vast, all-wood studio apartment affords breathtaking views. Unbelievably romantic.

  • Austrian Hospice

    Jerusalem

    Stepping into this gated complex feels like discovering a treasure. This castle-like guesthouse first opened in 1863, and its gardens, archways and stone…

  • Dan Boutique Hotel

    Jerusalem

    Within this unmistakable building, which rather resembles a big concrete thumbs-up, are 128 modern rooms with brooding colour schemes. The mustard and…

  • Taybeh Golden Hotel

    West Bank

    Situated above Taybeh Winery, Taybeh Golden Hotel is an uber-modern family-run place just a few minutes' walk from centre of the village. Some of the…

  • HI – Masada Guest House

    Dead Sea

    This 89-room hostel is ideal if you’d like to climb the Snake Path to see sunrise from atop Masada. The five- or six-bed, single-sex dorm rooms border on…

  • Paamonim Hotel

    Jerusalem

    At the centrally located, seven-storey Paamonim Hotel, rooms are large and comfortably furnished with a small table and lounging chair, microwave and mini…