Accommodation

Holidays by Destination Middle East Israel Accommodation 

There are around 300 hotels in Israel ranging from ungraded to five-star deluxe with disproportionately more of the latter. Rates to visitors are quoted in US dollars and there is a 15% service charge on top. Paying in hard currency avoids the local 17% VAT. Prices rise by as much as 100% for holiday periods, including Friday to Sunday. At these times you need to book ahead for Eilat, Tiberias and Jerusalem.

The main chain for visitors from the UK is Isrotel . This offers the majority of hotels by the water in Eilat plus properties in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. This is run by someone who runs successful businesses in the UK and who therefore has a better understanding of visitors' requirement for service than do most Israeli businesses.

The majority of hotels will provide a room for a family or add a bed to a room, but note that this would be less likely in cheaper hotels which have smaller rooms.

Some kibbutz (co-operative villages/collective settlements) offer hotels and holiday villages, largely in the northern half of the country but also inland from Eilat. Some visitors feel this is rather over priced but kibbutz have the advantage of offer both self-catering chalets sleeping four or the option of eating with the kibbutzim. The properties may well offer facilities like a children's pool as well. Details of some are at this Kibbutz web site .

The Youth Hostel Association arranges DIY or organised tours suitable for those with older children, including nights in any of 25 hostels.