The best hotels in Israel impress in various ways, from small boutique boltholes in the mountains near the border with Syria to beachside luxury in the buzzing capital. But as different as each of the places on our list are, one element remains constant – all impress with stylish bedrooms, fantastic service, and beautiful breakfasts.
As one of the easiest countries to work abroad in, Israel also wows with the variety of its landscapes – there are picturesque rolling deserts, 187 kilometers of stunning coastline, and olive tree-covered mountains. It’s also one of the best places to travel to in 2022 as many of the world’s most beautiful hotels are here too, but that means picking where to stay isn’t always an easy decision and that’s where our expert rating comes in.
We spent a month traveling through the stunning country visiting city hotels and countryside dwellings to compile a comprehensive list of the hotels we rate as the absolute best in the country. Each one on our list will ensure the trip of a lifetime…
Our pick of the best hotels in Israel for a unique and luxurious stay
TEL AVIV-YAFO
1. The Drisco, American-German Colony
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Price per night: Classic double rooms start from $492 (£408) a night, including one of the best breakfasts in the city
Expert rating: 9/10
Hidden away in the beautiful American-Germany Colony area of town alongside unique wooden houses shipped over from the US sits The Drisco with its ornate facade and 48 rooms, each simply but perfectly designed. At just four years old, the place has become one of the best spots in town for breakfast and dinner due to the beautiful dishes (including some seriously stunning ceviche and tuna tartare that rivals that of restaurants in Lima) created by chef Tomer Tal (opens in new tab) at the hotel’s restaurant George & John (opens in new tab). Bedrooms are decorated in tones of taupe and grey, with wooden accents, while bathrooms are mostly black and grey marble with their own branded bath products. You’ll find everything expected of a five-star hotel here: glass bottles of Italian water, touch sensor lights, flatscreen TV, desk, radio, fluffy robes, and an outstanding minibar. There’s also a sun deck on the roof where complimentary wine and cheese are served just before sunset each day. Black and white photos bring a touch of nostalgia to communal spaces and Moroccan-style lamps and light fixtures add elegance. Mesmerising Old Jaffa is just a short stroll away and provides the perfect setting for an evening walk and drinks.
• View rates for The Drisco at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• Visit thedrisco.com (opens in new tab)
2. The David Kempinski, HaYarkon St
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Price per night: Double superior rooms start from $723 (£599) per night, including breakfast
Expert rating: 9/10
This super new hotel sits right on the beachfront providing the most dreamy sunset views with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Wide open spaces and lots of glass provide the theme of the hotel which focuses on the natural beauty of the sea and sky which are visible from almost all areas. Service here is unbeatable with staff providing fruit bowls, fresh flowers, and daily check-ins to make your stay all that more special. The David Kempinski Tel Aviv is one of the small chain’s newest openings and is fast becoming one of the most exclusive places to stay in Israel. As well as the Horizon Lounge that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, complimentary snacks and drinks to anyone with a deluxe seafront suite there’s also one of the most amazing swimming pools in the city, for the sole use of hotel guests. Rooms are modern and bright with classic white linen and pops of color provided through cushions and abstract art hanging above beds. We’d recommend booking a deluxe seafront room for some of the best sea views in the hotel. Bathrooms are huge with bathtubs as well as rainfall showers, marble sinks, and Molton Brown bath products. The David Kempinski bath towels are custom-made, especially for the hotel and you really can tell (soft, fluffy, and miraculously white!). Rooms also come with a large selection of tea and coffee, an extensive mini bar, slippers, lint clothes rollers, and maybe a potted orchid or two. If you need to work while on vacation, this hotel has everything you need to make it a breeze with professional meeting rooms, super-fast wifi, and a private lounge with insane sea views and free snacks!
• View rates for The David Kempinski at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• View kempinski.com (opens in new tab)
3. Hotel Montefiore, Lev Hair
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Price per night: Double rooms start from $460 (£388) a night including an amazing breakfast that’s open to non-guests too.
Expert rating: 9/10
This intimate bolthole on Montefiore Street used to be known as Gogal House before its transformation into a hotel by architects Mati and Ruti Broudo back in 2000. Of the 12 bedrooms, most have large shuttered windows that are reminiscent of homely Parisian hotels. Rooms are super sophisticated with Mad Men-esque leather furniture, bust sculptures, walls covered in books and art by Israeli artists, and quirky relics like old-school magnifying glasses hidden in drawers. Drinking water is served in cut-glass bottles and each room comes with a silver tray filled with spirits, all adding to the decedent 1970s aesthetic. Bathrooms are luxuriously decorated with mirrors and black marble, each filled with fluffy robes and Bvlgari beauty products. Breakfast is served in the lounge to the right of the entrance and is one of the best options in the city on par with The Drisco’s offering. Even if you’re not staying here it’s worth booking a table for weekend brunch; the eggs are incredible and the toasted challah with gouda and roasted tomato will leave you smiling all day long. Location-wise, Montefiore is right in the center of it all, close to some brilliant restaurants (we recommend Timna (opens in new tab)) and the vibrant Carmel market is just a short stroll away.
• View rates for Montefiore at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• View montifiore.co.il (opens in new tab)
4. Theodore Boutique Hotel by Brown Hotels, Herzl St
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Price per night: Double rooms start from £205 ($243) including breakfast
Expert rating: 7/10
As one of the most expensive cities in the world, Israel’s hotels don’t come cheap, but Theodore by Brown Hotels – just a couple of months old – is one of the more affordable options in Tel Aviv. Surrounded by epic coffee shops and fun shops, the location is pretty unbeatable, and the hotel’s restaurant Cena, by chef Tomar Agay serves good traditional Italian dishes, like pizza, along with the strongest margaritas we’ve ever tasted. Rooms at Theodore are smaller than the other options featured on our list, but that’s reflected in the more affordable price which also appeals to a younger crowd. Wooden floors, white drapes, and butter-colored furnishings are standard across the 34 rooms, while bathrooms are decorated mostly in black stone with circular sinks and come with Molton Brown bath products. Coffee machines, complimentary water, flat screen TV, bathrobes, and desks are typical across all room categories, while breakfast is included and served at Cena each morning. There’s a buffet-style selection of fruit, bread, pastries, and shakshouka, but it’s the warm cinnamon loaf that is totally dreamy. For a stronger caffeine hit grab your coffee from nearby Nordinyo (opens in new tab), it was the best we found in Tel Aviv.
• View rates for Theodore Boutique Hotel by Brown Hotels at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• View brownhotels.com (opens in new tab)
5. The Norman, Nachmani Street
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Price per night: Deluxe rooms start from $748 (£651) including breakfast
Expert rating: 8/10
The UNESCO baby blue Art Deco building that houses The Norman stands out in the city as one of the most beautiful ones, with simple lines that make it symmetrical in appearance. Communal spaces include nods to the owner’s father with an epic poem that spans the whole height of the building along with black and white photos from the family album, and indeed the name, Norman is that of the owner’s father too. There’s also some interesting art adorning the walls, including a violin made entirely of salt crystals from the Dead Sea.
Each one of the 50 bedrooms and suites exudes elegance, decked out in delicate pastel hues, gorgeous furniture, and a vase of fresh flowers. Sony TVs, Bluetooth radios, and the usual amenities are standard: coffee machine, mini-bar, newspaper, books, and turn-down service. While the rooftop provides a calming oasis with daybeds and a streamlined swimming pool. Tel Aviv is absolutely brimming with top-class restaurants but a meal at the hotel’s restaurant Alena is highly recommended. Try the tuna sashimi with black caviar and lamb chops with salsa verde from the seasonal menu.
• View rates for The Norman at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• View thenorman.com (opens in new tab)
THE GOLAN HEIGHTS
6. Pereh, Gadot
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Price per night: Bauhaus Superior rooms with a balcony start from £540 ($635) including breakfast.
Expert rating: 10/10
Not only is Pereh one of the most perfect hotels in Israel, we’re pretty certain it’s one of the best in the world. If you’re even contemplating a stay, and you usually love the relaxed vibes of exploring hidden gems in Europe stop reading and book a stay at this dreamy hotel right away. Set in the beautiful volcanic mountains of the Golan Heights, close to the border with Syria, Pereh Mountain Resort is a project realized through a complete transformation of old French customs houses into a true artistic haven. The Bauhaus buildings that make up the hotel were crumbling and derelict before Leo Glaser took on the project, fusing historic architecture with modern interiors to make one of the most luxurious hotels we’ve come across to date.
If you can afford to, it’s worth splashing out on one of the Bauhaus suites, which come with a private patio and seating area with a hammock. There’s a real focus on creativity here with impressive pieces of art and sculpture adorning walls inside and out. Bedrooms have been designed with neutral tones, rust-colored paintings, macrame detailing (which is a theme throughout the hotel), and gorgeous coffee table books. Suites come with epic bathrooms including stand-alone bathtubs, rainfall showers, L’Occitane products, and linen robes. The outdoor pool surrounded by olive trees appeals to swooping swallows and guests alike with its dreamlike setting and gorgeous bar that serves the best cocktails in the Golan. There’s also a jacuzzi that stays open until 11pm each evening, a serene spa, fire pits dotted about the place, and a gorgeous terrace with sweeping views of the orchard below.
At night, a museum becomes aglow with twinkling lights, detailing the history of the place with intriguing photographs that show how the buildings looked before and after renovation. Oren, who manages the hotel, is one of the most wonderful souls we’ve met, a true enigma who has that rare ability to get along with absolutely everyone, making each and every stay unforgettable.
• View rates for Pereh at Unique Hotels of Israel (opens in new tab)
• Visit pereh.co.il (opens in new tab)
JERUSALEM
7. Mamilla, West Jerusalem
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Price per night: Double studio rooms start from $488 (£492) including a buffet breakfast
Expert rating: 8/10
Jerusalem is one of the best places to visit in November when crowds lessen and the heat of summer has subsided slightly, but remember to check out major religious dates before you book as this can seriously impact what’s open in the city. Mamilla provides a calming oasis in what can be an overwhelming city, considering three major religions flock here for worship or on pilgrimage. The interiors of the hotel take inspiration from the white stone of Jerusalem but add modern elements, while communal areas are vast and open. Some bedrooms come with huge standalone stone bathtubs as well as rainfall showers and all products are by the French brand Diptique. There’s also a huge gym and great wellness center that rivals some of the best spa hotels in London with restorative therapies, sauna, and steam rooms. We’d recommend spending at least a couple of days in Jerusalem to fully appreciate all the city has to offer and don’t miss the Muslim quarter where you’ll find the best food and coffee!
• View rates for Mamilla at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• Visit mamillahotel.com (opens in new tab)
8. David Citadel, West Jerusalem
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Price per night: Superior double rooms start from $616 £535 including breakfast
Expert rating: 8/10
The serene swimming pool at David Citadel is the hotel’s main event with stunning views out towards the old city. Inside you’ll find 385 suites and bedrooms, making it one of the largest hotels on our list, but nothing about its size means the style is compromised. Interiors focus on a blend of oak parquet flooring, sumptuous fabrics in blues and grays, local stone, and bespoke lighting, some bedrooms even have their own balcony overlooking the turquoise pool below. Bathrooms are decked out in a mix of pale grey marble and wood with suites offering the most elegant bathrooms complete with bathtubs and showers, along with Etro beauty products. 24-hour room service and housekeeping, complimentary newspapers, turndown service, and wifi are all standard. The hotel has four dining areas including one by the pool, but the best opinion for dinner is Veranda, situated on a terrace overlooking the city. The kosher menu centers around fire and coals and is made up of dishes like char-grilled hanger steak with soy and lime sauce, and slow-braised lamb shoulder. But the fish options also impress with red tuna tartare ceviche standing out as a must-order dish.
• View rates for David Citadel at booking.com (opens in new tab)
• Visit thedavidcitadel.com (opens in new tab)
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