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    Let me say to you and you may use this as a sincere testimonial: You Danny the Digger are an outstanding guide, educator, archeologist and political pundit providing exciting and most intelligent information to the visitor on events of the past, their impact on the Jewish world and our concerns with the future. I have [...]

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Recommended Hotels

Where to stay is always a tricky question. You don’t come to Israel for the hotels, but you want your hotel to be a good value.  

The following list is based on my own personal experience, with links to the accumulated experience of contributors to Tripadvisor ().

I must emphasize  I get ZERO benefits by recommending any hotel!

Recommended Hotels in JERUSALEM
Recommended hotels in TEL-AVIV
Recommended Hotels in the NORTH
Recommended Hotels at the DEAD SEA
Recommended Hotels in EILAT
Recommended Hotels in the NEGEV

 

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Recommended Hotels in Jerusalem

As im most sites, In Jerusalem too, it’s all about “location location location”. The city is large yet its tourist attractions are concentrated in the Old City and the streets of Mamilla and Ben Yehudah. Since sleeping in the Old City is not recommended, if you want to be within walking distance from everything, you would want to stay not too far from Jaffa gate.

The most luxurious (and most expensive…) choices would be the David Citadel Hotel (#4) (F) and the King David Hotel (#2) (F Frommer's Exceptional) (F). The new Mamilla Boutique Hotel (#7) is also a good choice. Less expensive but still on King David Street is the Eldan hotel (). In my experience, the Harmony Hotel  (#1!) (F) is the best value, and since it is at the bottom of Ben-Yehudah Street, it is still within walking distance from the Old City and right above a busy and nice pedestrian zone.

There are a number of hotels that are all just beyond walking distance, but still not too far from the Old City.  These include the Mt. Zion Hotel (#16) (F),  Dan Boutique Hotel (#8)Inbal Hotel (#3), Prima Kings Hotel ()King Solomon Hotel (), Leonardo Plaza Hotel (#6), and Dan Panorama Hotel (#9). Another surprisingly nice accommodation experience is at the St. Andrew’s Guest House. If you have a car you would also like the Dan Jerusalem Hotel (#15), on Mount Scopus, or Holiday Inn Crown Plaza (), near the parliament and the central bus station.

If a family, perhaps you would prefer to rent a Vacation Rental () or track a spot in .

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Recommended Hotels in Tel-Aviv

Tel-Aviv’s attractions are spread over a large area, so you will most likely use a taxi to get around. Most of the hotels are located on the beach strip, along Hayarkon Street and they are walking distance from the shore and many restaurants.  A cluster of small Boutique hotels can be found along Rotschild Boulevard.

The most luxurious hotel in Tel-Aviv (in my opinion) is the David Intercontinental Hotel (#15) (F), although to access the beach you have to cross a busy street. The Hilton Hotel (#34) has a beach that is almost private, but the 40 year-old building could use some remodeling. The same can be said about other hotels along Hayarkon street, such as the Dan Tel-Aviv Hotel (#11)Dan Panorama (Crowne Plaza (,  Renaissance (, and Prima Tel-Aviv Hotel ().      Herod’s Hotel (#25) (Former Moriah),  Sheraton hotel ((F)Carlton Hotel (#28),  Metropolitan Hotel (), and Savoy Hotel (#22) are old hotels in that area who have underwent proper renovations. Nich new hotels in that area include Shalom Hotel (#3), Melody Hotel (#5), and Gilgal Hotel (). On Dizengoff street go for  Art Plus Hotel (#10).  

Along Rotschild Boulevard you can find a nice selection of small Boutique hotels. Best (in my opinion) is the new The Rotschild Hotel (#1!), But also its competator, The Rothschild (#3) is a good choice. Other good alternatives are Diaghilev Hotel (#2) Brown TLV(#7) (F),  Montefiore Boutique Hotel () (F) , Townhouse Tel-Aviv(), and new Alma (). In Nearby Neve Tzedek, Neve Tsedek hotel  () is nice and special choice.

And again, If a family, perhaps you would prefer to rent a Vacation Rental () or track a spot in .

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Recommended Hotels in the North

A tour in Israel is not complete without a few days in the north.

In the north, your choice where to stay depends on whether you are heading to the northwest or northeast of the country.

Eastern Galilee/Golan: If you are traveling around the Sea of Galilee, the Upper Jordan Valley, and up the Golan Heights, the most luxurious place to stay would be at the Mizpe Hayamim Spa Resort (#1) (F) (my favorite hotel in all of Israel!). The Scots Hotel (#1) (F) in Tiberias, is also quite luxurious, as well as Galei Kinnereth Hotel (#3). Further north, the Pastoral Hotel (#1), in kibbutz Kfar Blum, is also a good choice. If you are seeking some Jewish spirituality after a tour of Safed, a stay at the Ruth Rimonim Hotel (#1) would be a wonderful experience.

If you want to stay in Tiberias but the Scots Hotel is a bit over your budget, other big hotel alternatives would be Leonardo Plaza Hotel (#4), or Leonardo Hotel (#15),  or Leonardo Club Hotel (#17). If you want a child-friendly experience, go for the Gai Beach Hotel (#10).  It is outside the city, but has a great waterslide park that the kids will love!

There are also MANY nice B&Bs, which are cozy wooden huts in farms in the Galilee and the Golan. They usually include a Jacuzzi and some also have pools. These “Zimmers,” as they are called, are very popular among the Israelis. For high-end “Ziummers”, try www.bordo100.co.il  or www.weekend.co.il. Check also Tripadvisors’ list for Vacation Rental () places in the north , or track a spot in .

Western Galilee: If you are exploring the western Galilee, stay in Haifa at the trendy Haifa Colony Hotel (#3), or on The Carmel at the Crown Plaza Hotel (#2) or Dan Panorama Hotel (#4) both providing beautiful views of Haifa Bay. South of Haifa the exclusive Carmel Forest Spa Resort (#1) (F) is also a good choice.

In Akko,the Akkotel (#2) is a nice boutique hotel built in the walls of the old city. The only drawback is that the old city is a bit gloomy after dark.

In Nazareth, the nicest hotel is the Nazareth Golden Crown Hotel (#1), but there is no nightlife in the area if that is what you like. Again – you might also find an interesting place on .

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Recommended Hotels at the Dead Sea

A dip in the Dead Sea is a MUST when touring Israel and can be done during a one day tour to Masada from Jerusalem. But if you are heading further south, you should stay a night in one of the Dead Sea hotels. The Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel (#4) is the most luxurious (and expensive) option, and other great options would be the Royal Rimonim Hotel (#8),  the Le Meridian Hotel (#16),  and the Daniel Hotel (#15). They each have a nice spa, but to go into the Dead Sea water you have to cross a busy street.

Of the hotels that are on the shore line, the biggest are the Crowne Plaza Hotel (#12)and further down south the Leonardo Club Hotel (#5).  The renovated Lot Hotel (#2) is smaller but very good!, and to less extent also Hod Hamidbar hotel (#13).

The Eingedi Guest House (#16) in Kibbutz Ein-gedi is a charming option mostly because of the views and the botanical garden, but the hotel facility and the spa desperately need renovations.

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Recommended Hotels in Eilat

Despite the lack of Casinos, Eilat has the feeling of Las Vegas – a remote desert location with a wide choice of deluxe hotels. Instead of gambling you can swim in the Red Sea or scuba dive to discover its unique colorful coral reef. Eilat can also be an anchor for tours in the Eilat Mountains, as well as a long one day tour to Petra.

The most luxurious hotels in Eilat are along its northern shore – Herod’s Hotel (#1-2, 7)(F Frommer's Exceptional), Dan Eilat Hotel (#3) (F),  Royal Beach Hotel (#11),  and Hilton Queen of Sheba Hotel (#22). If you have a car, I personally prefer the Princess Hotel (#23) (F), near the border with Eilat. It is a rather remote location, but a spectacular setting and it has a private beach! .

There are many less expensive hotels, guest houses, and hostels, of which I would recommend the Agamim Hotel (#9),  the Magic Palace Hotel (#13), the Dan Panorama Hotel (#4), and the Eilat Youth Hostel ().And again – you might also find an interesting place on .

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Recommended Hotels in the Negev

On the way to or from Eilat, or as a destination by itself, the Negev is worth a tour too. The most luxurious option in the heart of the Negev is the new spa, called Beresheet (#2), on the northern cliff of the Ramon Crater. Though not in harmony with nature (why did they have make such a conspicuous design?), it sets a new standard of deluxe accommodations in the heart of the arid Negev Desert. Other popular choices would be a B&B in one of the remote agricultural farms scattered in the Negev, or “Kfar Hanokdim (which offers Bedouin style accommodations as well as camel rides near Arad. In Arad itself small and comfy Yehelim (#1) is also a good choice. And again – you might also find an interesting place on .
Recommended Restaurants  Recommende Hotels
Recommended WineriesRecommended Breweries  
Recommended DestinationsRecommended Experiences
Recommended ColleaguesRecommended Tour Agents

(* my gratitude to my cousin, Sue Dodick, for helping me on this page!)

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