Israel’s southern Red Sea resort city of Eilat is a fantastic vacation destination boasting beautiful beaches, scenic mountains and a fun boardwalk where you can buy souvenirs and hang out. But there’s so much more to do.
Eilat offers a full variety of water sports and hiking trails, the Coral World Underwater Observatory, Dolphin Reef, indoor ice skating, birdwatching station, Coral Beach Nature Reserve, and – as an added bonus – tax-free shopping.
It’s easier than ever to access perpetually sunny Eilat since the opening of nearby Ramon Airport in 2019. This winter, a record number of direct flights are heading to Ramon Airport from European cities and from Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, in addition to trains and buses.
Where to stay on your Eilat holiday?
The choices are plentiful for every budget, from huge 5-star resorts to small boutique properties and youth hostels. Eilat boasts about 11,000 rooms in nearly 50 hotels. In the coming years, a new golfing and tourism complex will be built in Eilat with about 560 hotel rooms.
Many of the hotels in our list below are geared to families, while some are intended for a romantic getaway and others for students and backpackers.
LARGE FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS
Aria Hotel
Astral Hotels’ 246-suite Aria is billed as a luxurious family destination. With direct private access to the beach and a variety of spacious suites — including a honeymoon suite with outdoor double jacuzzi on a balcony overlooking the Gulf of Eilat – Aria has the added attraction of an outdoor stage and dance bar for after-hours entertainment.
Address: 9 Derech Mitzrayim
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool and toddler pool, children’s club and playroom, spa, dance bar, business lounge, event halls
VERT Eilat
Formerly the Crowne Plaza, the VERT is committed to environmental awareness (“vert” means “green” in French). The 266-room luxury hotel has committed to a paperless check-in process and information service, increasing use of natural and biodegradable materials, reducing the use of plastics, utilizing solar energy, and saving energy.
Address: Kamen Street, North Beach
Amenities: Two kosher restaurants, swimming pool, toddler pool, pool snack bar, spa, gym, conference facilities, accessible rooms and services, Play Zone for children and teens, private babysitting available
U Coral Beach Club
This 282-room Fattal property puts the emphasis on “all inclusive,” offering a private beach and activities for the whole family from windsurfing and snorkeling to dance lessons and archery, cooking workshops and social games. There’s onsite entertainment for adults and children, and up to five meals per day (special meals can be pre-ordered).
Address: Almog Beach Marina
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, gym, spa, kosher Italian dairy restaurant, kids club, babysitting, tennis/soccer/basketball/volleyball, infant gear (cribs, baby bathtubs, bottle warmers) on request
The 12-story, 481-room luxury hotel features a dome-topped entryway spilling natural light on the floor decorated with animal mosaics, while the swimming pool is surrounded by animal statues and fountains symbolizing the charms of the legendary Queen of Sheba, who brought King Solomon exotic spices from her country and was charmed by his wisdom.
Address: 8 Antibes St., Eilat
Amenities: Three kosher restaurants and two bars, spa, swimming pool, executive lounge, conference and meeting facilities, babysitting/childcare for a fee, free children’s club
King Solomon Hotel
Across the road from the Queen of Sheba is Isrotel’s King Solomon Hotel comprised of 415 suites and rooms with balconies overlooking the pool or the Edom Mountains. The three top floors (10-12) are geared to business travelers and include free access to the King’s Lounge and its sun terrace as well as an exclusive café. The King’s Wharf at the foot of the hotel offers leisure, shopping, and watersports.
Address: 1 Antibes Street
Amenities: Café Royale, Angelina Restaurant, The King’s Table, lobby café and espresso bar, gym, outdoor swimming pool with waterslides, kiddie pool, Kids Kingdom, services for guests with disabilities
U Magic Palace
The 322-room U Magic Palace is designed as an all-inclusive family resort, with on-site live entertainment, children’s club, teen cooking workshops and poolside shows – something to keep everyone entertained day and night.
Address: 2 Kamen Street, North Beach
Amenities: outdoor swimming pool, indoor heated swimming pool, toddler pool, spa, gym, lobby bar, kosher restaurant and dining room, beauty salon, Welcome Baby service, kids’ club, accommodations for guests with disabilities
Royal Garden
The Royal Garden offers 331 suites set on an “enchanted island” with tropical gardens and several swimming pools, including one designed to look like the beach – although the real beach is close by as well. Every suite includes a bedroom, living room, kitchenette and dining area. Next door, the Isrotel Theater features Las Vegas-style shows.
Address: 5 Antibes St., Eilat
Amenities: Swimming pool and children’s pool with waterslides, gym, spa, shopping boulevard, minimarket, kosher Mediterranean grill and dairy café, Playzone & Kiddos Club, services for guests with disabilities
BOUTIQUE HOTELS
Now
Catering to guests aged 18 and up, the 19-room Now is all about balconies and private pools, VIP parties, kosher chef dining and fine alcohol, in-room spa treatments and constant ambient entertainment and music.
Address: 20 Derech Hayam
Amenities: Rooftop restaurant and pool lounge, two swimming pools, personal concierge service, specially adapted meals available by prior arrangement for vegetarians, vegans, and those sensitive to gluten or lactose
Herbert Samuel Royal Shangri-La
Between Coral Beach Nature Reserve and Coral World Underwater Observatory, the Royal Shangri-La features 53 rooms and two villas with private swimming pools on a hilltop above the 144-room beachside Orchid Hotel. Unusual touches include an outdoor lobby, 24-hour transportation uphill and downhill via tuk-tuk (motorized rickshaw) and an all-day breakfast buffet.
Address: South Beach, Eilat
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pools including infinity pool, children’s playground, billiards, table tennis, bicycles, in-room spa treatments
This chain, which is growing rapidly in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, recently opened an 84-room boutique hotel in Eilat (formerly the Vista) designed to be reminiscent of 1930s Miami South Beach. Brown Eilat is billed as an adult couples hotel; for families, the Brown brand is soon opening the Lighthouse Eilat hotel in the former Palms Hotel.
Address: 17 Kamen Street
Amenities: outdoor pool, fitness room, chef restaurant coming soon
Comprised of 79 rooms, The Reef is in walking distance of the Dolphin Reef, marina, underwater observatory and Coral Beach Nature Reserve, and close to water sports centers that offer kayaking, windsurfing and diving. Most of the rooms have an open view of the Red Sea, the mountains of Eilat, Taba and Aqaba.
Address: Almog Beach
Amenities: Greek restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, gym, spa treatments, free bicycle rental
Comfort Boutique Hotel & Spa
This budget boutique hotel offers 98 rooms, some with a sea view, for up to four guests. What’s unusual at this price point is the full-service spa with wet/dry sauna, whirlpool bath and a choice of 10 treatments.
Address: 14 Sderot Hativat HaNegev
Amenities: outdoor pool with snack bar, spa, shaded lounge, two bars, public computers/copier/printer, services for guests with disabilities.
HOSTELS
HI Eilat
Run by the Israel Youth Hostels Association, HI Eilat offers 104 spacious, pleasant rooms suited to couples, families, groups and singles. All rooms have a shower and toilet, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a fridge, TV and coffee corner. Located close to water sports, jeeping and hiking trails.
Address: 18 Derech Mitzrayim Street
Amenities: outdoor pool, gym, balcony, event/lecture halls, synagogue, kosher breakfast, lunch and dinner, accessible rooms and services
Abraham Hostel Eilat
From the brand that made youth hostels cool in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Nazareth, the vibrantly decorated Abraham Hostel Eilat offers independent travelers a full menu of daily tours and events, pool parties, exhibitions and a huge lounge and bar area. A variety of dorm rooms, family rooms and private rooms can accommodate a total of 450 guests.
Address: 3 Shfifon Street
Amenities: outdoor pool, 24/7 guest kitchen, 24/7 reception, bar, TV room, luggage/locker room, traveler center, breakfast for 30 shekels, Shabbat buffet dinner for 60 shekels (not kosher)
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