7 Best Hotels in Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, Israel

Desert ibexes walk the footpaths between the deluxe rooms of this hotel, which is surrounded by majestic baobab trees and overlooks the blue expanse of the Dead Sea. Sadly, the beach here is closed due to sinkholes, and the nearest alternative is a 30-minute drive away. However, on-site amenities include a half-Olympic freshwater pool overlooking the desert. You may want to reserve one of the superior rooms, which include espresso machines and entry to the Synergy Spa that's complete with a Dead Sea–water pool. Ask ahead about free activities, including guided tours by day and night on the paths of the nearby nature preserve. If you don't have a car, Egged public buses stop right outside the lobby.

A Palestinian family built this guesthouse into their winter home steps from ancient Jericho and the Mount of Temptation. The hotel name is a play on words for eggplant, a nod to the farm where the owners raise fruit, vegetables, chickens, and a goat. The produce features in breakfast and a light all-day menu of salads, cheese, and meat. Guests can also enroll in cooking classes, or sign up for hikes and guided city tours. Ask for a room with a balcony.

A cut above its neighbors, this hotel has spacious, nicely furnished rooms and thoughtful child-friendly touches like walking trails, hammocks and a musical garden. Standard rooms have hardwood floors and lots of light from the large windows. In garden rooms, doors lead to small outdoor patios where you can pick your own herbs. Suites with their own whirlpool tubs are available. The rustic yet modern lobby has a wood-burning fireplace along with sculptures and paintings by local artists. Guests have free access to a gym and pool a short walk away.

Great views, a half-Olympic pool, delicious brunches, and a nearby Galita chocolate factory offering kid-friendly workshops make this hotel a great choice for families. Guests get free access to the Kiftzuba amusement park. Hikes to the Cave of John the Baptist, where he is said to have immersed believers in water, are popular. Suites can accommodate up to five people and include separate bedrooms, kitchens, and porches with magnificent views of the Judean Hills. Arrive on Friday to sample fish, cheeses, and salads in the hotel's unique brunch.

The lobby of this family-oriented, all-inclusive property—which supplies buffets and alcohol all day long—has huge windows that overlook a pretty pool. The hotel has several children's clubs, as well as theme-park rides, kiddie pools, video games, and day-care service. For the adults, there is a dry sauna, wet sauna, and a spa with Dead Sea water. Parking can be a menace, and the facilities bear witness to the many children it hosts.

This guesthouse in Beit Jala sits on pretty grounds with 5 kilometers (3 miles) of paved walkways. It began as a girls' boarding school and today remains part of the German Evangelical Lutheran School. Rooms are modest but clean and air conditioned. Breakfast is made with local produce and spices like za'atar and olive oil. It's a short taxi ride away from the hubbub of Manger Square, and worth it if you want a retreat where kids can stretch their legs. The guesthouse can also arrange transfers from the airport and excursions.

Spread over beautifully landscaped gardens, this hotel is ideal for nature lovers and families. It has a health club, including an heated indoor lap pool, gym, sauna, and whirlpool bath. Some rooms lead to a garden patio. For a secluded getaway, ask about suites in the Gordonia section. In August, guests have access to a nearby large outdoor community swimming pool.