Iran
Wonderful home cooking (US$10 each meal) is served at this excellent guesthouse, and both the hostel and apartment offer kitchen facilities. Sleeping,…
Must-see hotels in Middle East
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
From the wavy articulated lobby wall hat-tipping Abu Dhabi's pearling heritage to the oblong banquettes layering the facade, which look like desert…
Jebel Shams
In a tranquil location near a dramatic mountain precipice, this remote camp makes for a peaceful retreat. Beds are offered in Arab-style tents or simple…
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Dubai
Resembling a fort and blending into the desertscape, Bab Al Shams is a tonic for escapists seeking to indulge their Arabian Nights fantasies. Its…
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,…
Dana
Prices at this camp may seem steep, but when you wake up to the sound of Dana’s wildlife, it’s easy to see why reservations are necessary. Views from the…
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…
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…
Wadi Rum
The tents here look like nothing on earth, rather as if they've just beamed down from Mars to the base of a Wadi Rum cliff face. Surreal silvery white…
Liwa Oasis
This discreet retreat captures the desert vibe and blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Earth-toned rooms are decorated with original Bedouin…
Iran
This licensed homestay offers an excellent way to gain a feel for genuine village life. Guests stay in a huge room occupying the top floor of the owner's…
Iran
This large and attractive mud-and-thatch property with a fountain pool in the garden is run by a pair of hospitable brothers and is a notch above others…
United Arab Emirates
The manicured strip of white-sand beach framed by palms and the big pool area make the Saray a sand-in-the-toes getaway. Rooms, all with balconies, exude…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
One of Dubai’s most iconic hotels, this pink-hued resort commands attention, sitting atop the Palm Jumeirah looking every bit like a Disney princess…
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 …
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
One of Dubai's latest top-end hotels. The architecture is pure grandeur, with an entrance flanked by luminous glass cubes opening up to a sublime view of…
Esfahan
This lovely old house, with a dazzling set of murals in the foyer and copious mirror work, is something of a treat in a city lacking in characterful…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Not the newest resort but still a class act all around, the Royal Mirage consists of the Moorish-style Palace, the romantic Arabian Court and the ultra…
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…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
The stunning Dubai skyline looms across the Gulf, yet this romantic and megaposh gem offers a complete retreat from the city. Exuding the feel of an…
Doha
Occupying its own artificial island connected to The Pearl, the Marsa Malaz has decadent palatial dimensions, including an 18m-tall bronze horse sculpture…
Iran
Sitting aloof on the hill above Ramsar, the Grand is an oasis of luxury away from the exhausts of Rte 22. Surrounded by gardens and orange groves, the…
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…
Doha
This superb hotel done up in contemporary Arab style has nice touches including atmospheric thatched roofs in the rooms, marble details in the bathrooms…
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This beachfront hotel is a sentimental favourite and nirvana for active types with water sports, tennis courts and an enormous state-of-the-art gym. The…
Dead Sea
Polished marble floors, brass fixtures and fittings, and spacious rooms contribute to the general opulence of this much-loved resort. Eating spots include…
Bur Dubai
Located in the heart of Al Seef's meandering walkways, this gracious spot opened its first phase in September 2018 with 39 rooms; there will eventually be…
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…
Northern Coast
Wrapped around a marina, with the imposing backdrop of Jebel Seifa, this boutique hotel, with a range of luxurious rooms with sea views, was designed by…
Ma’In Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Dead Sea Highway
This luxurious resort is shaded by mature trees and boasts extravagant arabesque features. Many of the rooms – which have sumptuous bathrooms – share a…
Beirut
On first glance, the location of this boutique hotel doesn't look auspicious. But if you ignore the fact that a busy motorway is next door, the fact that…
Lebanon
Combine rural relaxation with the grassroots food ethos of the Tawlet mini-empire, and you have a seriously enticing place to stay. It's a traditional…
Dead Sea
This grand resort isn't shy in its bid to be the best. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch the length of the Dead Sea vista, a Sumerian-style lobby overlooks…
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…
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…
Khasab
Using local materials, this appealingly rustic hotel attempts to blend into the environment with its sandstone-clad rooms, wooden beams and barasti (palm…
Amman
The granddaddy of luxury hotels in Amman, the much-loved InterCon has been hosting foreign dignitaries since the early days of Jordan’s founding. A great…
North Coast
With hardwood furnishings, stone-tiled bathrooms, genuine service and Mediterranean views from the breakfast terrace, Beit Maimon balances cosiness with…
Wadi Rum
Diseh's move into the luxury Wadi Rum market offers a variety of tented options. The cheapest are well set-up tents, with air-con and bathrooms; larger…
Jordan
These rustic cabins with terraces overlooking a patch of forest make for a delightful retreat. Regular cabins share environmentally sound composting…
