Beresheet

Beresheet, the newest hotel in the Isrotel new Exclusive Collection Hotels, is built in one of the most beautiful and tranquil places in Israel - on the edge of Ramon Crater in the Central Negev town of Mitzpe Ramon.

I watched this hotel being built and it took my breath away. It just opened and according to all the press it is a new era in Israel hotels! A place to relax in luxury while you enjoy the view, the spa, the “eco-friendly” environment and the fabulous food!

My personal tip – it seems from the website that every room looks over the crater in some way, but I’m not sure, so be clear what you’re getting before you book, and I would personally splurge for the best view with the rooms that have the private pools since you’re already there…

Beresheet is a good base for exploring the Negev and to get away from it all and just relax enjoying the magic of the desert. Children are allowed, unlike some other “spa” hotels in Israel, but this is clearly catering to an “upscale crowd.” A unique twist - they have a helicopter pad, it’s a 45 minute flight from Tel Aviv, and the hotel also offers “flights over the desert.”

Telephone: +972 8 638 7799
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The David Citadel Hotel
in Jerusalem

My first love was The David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. I have had a relationship with the David Citadel Hotel since I began my career as Missions Director of THE ASSOCIATED. For me, this hotel is home.

The location is perfect, and the view from an Alcove Deluxe Room (be sure and specify “in the middle of the horseshoe) is AMAZING!! The David Citadel is classy and bright. The staff is fabulous; coming to the Citadel is like walking into “Cheers” – Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…and they’re always glad you came...

7 King David Street
Jerusalem 94101, Israel
Telephone: +972 2 621 1111             
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For Reservations
Reservations Manager
Telephone: +972 2 621 2121               
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Herod's Vitalis Spa

My favorite, though I must be honest, I don’t LOVE any hotel in Eilat, is Herod’s Vitalis. From the moment you check in you realize you are in a different world – very elegant and refined.

The rooms vary from ok to amazing and many don’t have the most phenomenal view, but the atmosphere of Vitalis really makes you feel like you’re on vacation.

The Lounge, where they serve breakfast in the morning is open all day long with food and drinks, the spa has wonderful treatments and the pools, the waterfalls and the Jacuzzis, all for you to use free of charge really help you relax in a sophisticated and luxurious environment where you can forget about the outside world.

One note, they do not allow children.

Telephone:+972 8 638 0000        
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Isrotel Royal Beach Eilat

Well, everyone told me the Royal Beach was “the best” hotel in Eilat. So when my family was here and my brother (who loves the heat) felt the need to go to an even hotter place than Central Israel in August, we headed to Eilat and we decided to try something new; we booked the Royal Beach. We booked a Royal Room, in spite of the fact that everyone told us to book the Standard because they’re “just fine,” because we had access to the President’s Lounge. It was totally worth it! It was so hot out and the lounge was a comfortable place to sit with indoor and outdoor seating, computers you could use for free and a nice selection of newspapers. Plus, they served complimentary food and drinks. The spread was quite something; I’ve never been on a cruise, but this is what it must be like – revolving food all day long. The hotel is beautiful, crisp, clean and refreshing. The rooms are very large and the Royal Rooms are in the center of the hotel so they all face the sea; the Red Sea is right in front of you. The only downsides were the hot hallway, you have to pay about $7.50 a day to use the gym and pay for Internet access.

North Beach
Eilat
Telephone: 08-636-8888
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Mamilla

If you love “W” then Mamilla is for you. Walk across the street from the David Citadel (same owner) and enter the Mamilla, and you walk into a different world. If the David Citadel is classic, Mamilla is contemporary, modern, minimalistic, kind of has that Zen thing going on, with music and atmospheric lighting throughout – some say dark, but I love it!

However, the studios are small for Americans, so if you’re going to book, consider the “executive studio.’ The public areas are amazing, so be sure and explore! The new spa is considered the best in Israel! The Mirro Bar and Cigar Bar are “a scene” and the rooftop has the best view in Jerusalem! I love the staff … especially Yarno and George of Guest Services!

11 King Solomon Street
Jerusalem
Telephone: +972 2 548 2222              
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Reservations
Telephone: +972.2.5482200        
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Mitzpe Hayamim

I got the BEST massage of my life at Mizpe Hayamim. It is one of the coolest places ever - ESPECIALLY room 701 and 702, they are VERY SPECIAL rooms with two walls of glass, so you look out to the rolling hills of the Galilee and look across to the rugged Golan Heights!

Mizpe Hayamim, a hotel, a spa, and organic farm perched on a cliff surrounded by trees and lush gardens where you can see forever, is located in the Galilee between Rosh Pina and Tzfat, north of the Sea of Galilee. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway (adults only) this is a great option! Plus the food is amazing; an excellent dining room and the gourmet restaurant “Muscat” are both on premise.

P.O.B. 27 Rosh Pina
Telephone: +972 4 699 4555
Toll Free In Israel: 1-800-555-666
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Montefiore

Tel Aviv is nothing if not trendy – always was and always will be. What do I mean? One person opens something, next day everyone copies the idea.

The newest trend is “boutique hotels” but be careful because “boutique hotel” can often be just another word for a small hotel.

But Montefiore was the first in Tel Aviv and is true style - a world of elegance and charm that it feels like “old Tel Aviv.” I can’t really explain it, but in this renovated 1920’s building, I feel like they have really succeeded in capturing the essence of what the newly-born city of Tel Aviv was like in the early 1900’s, a city of excitement and elegance and promise and style.

They don’t have “facilities” – no gym, no business center (but free wi-fi), no spa, but they do have a chic bar and a fabulous restaurant and café that draw crowds twenty-four hours a day!

It is in the center of the City, right off of Allenby Street, a hop skip and a jump to Sheinkin, the Carmel Market, Neve Tzedek, etc,

If you’ve “done” the big hotels in Tel Aviv - or you want something truly unique, I encourage you to see if they have space at Montefiore – but book as much in advance as possible, they only have 12 rooms and they fill up fast!

Telephone: + 972 3 564 6100
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Room 1125

Room 1125 is located in the Golan Heights in Nimrod, the highest village in Israel – 1125 Meters high to be exact, hence the name. Owned by an incredibly hospitable couple, Michal and Diego Goldfarb, who do whatever they can to make your stay incredible! Diego welcomes you and will give you a tour of his gallery (he’s a painter) if you like - you can even have an art lesson during your stay!

Your cabin is stocked with food – nuts, fruit, cereal, wine juice, water, and chocolate – and an espresso machine. The best part is the view; you are on the edge of a mountain that slopes gently down behind the cabins. One of my favorite moments in Israel is sitting on the back porch on their wooden rocking chairs looking towards the Mediterranean at the magical sunset.

They built these two identical wood cabins with their own hands. Each cabin is two floors. The “parents” room (with a Jacuzzi) is downstairs and the “kids” room, which can sleep two to four kids, is a loft upstairs. There is a bathroom on each level, free Wi-Fi, a wide screen television, a stereo-system, games, books and magazines. This place really feels homey and comfortable, with its wood burning stove.

Some people think that Nimrod is “far” but you are minutes from Mt. Hermon and an hour from Tzfat.

If you are a large group there are other accommodations of different prices and styles in the village, so it can be a good solution for one couple or one family or a larger group.

Telephone: +972 57 432 2983
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