5 Best Hotels in Lower Galilee, Israel

Part of a small national chain, the lakefront Caesar has views from all rooms. Common areas are nicely decorated in marble, brass, and leather, providing islands of intimacy inside and out. The spacious guest rooms have tasteful, if unexceptional, furnishings, and every suite has a whirlpool bath. The outside pool area is entirely concrete, while the warm indoor pool uses natural thermal spring water from Hammat Gader. A large gym and range of treatments make the spa a definite attraction.

The rare lakeshore location is a big plus, and for some, so is the distance from the noisy downtown promenade. The marble lobby lounge is large and airy, though clusters of comfortable armchairs create intimacy. Guest rooms are tastefully furnished, if a bit small and slightly fraying; about two-thirds face the lake. Rooms on the two lower floors have private balconies. The hotel gives you free access to the adjacent water park, which has seven slides, a wave pool, and children's pool, making it arguably the most family-friendly hotel in town. The guests-only spa has a very private feel.

With lake views, comfortable rooms, relaxing common areas, and a variety of spa services, the Leonardo Plaza is a welcoming spot. The hotel overlooks the water, but does not have lake frontage. Of the three Leonardo hotels in Tiberias this is the most luxurious. Rooms feature either a sea or mountain view, and many have balconies to enjoy the spectacular scenery. In the summer an outdoor swimming pool is available for guests.

It's easy to understand why this resort was a personal favorite of Israel's founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion: its location on the lake with its own private beach is unbeatable. The spa is a soothing complex suffused with incense and candles. A large whirlpool gurgles away in its own glassed-in gazebo. Guest rooms are nicely decorated. Breakfast and either lunch (on weekends only) or dinner are included.

In a Thai-style complex that's a world apart from anything else in this region, these recently renovated suites have hot tubs that use thermal mineral water from the nearby springs. A few even have their own saunas. Treatment rooms and exercise machines are for hotel guests only. The warm mineral-pool area, a serene oasis by day, becomes almost mystical when torches light the waters. The rest of the park at Hammat Gader is free for hotel guests. On Thursday and Friday nights, there is a minimum two-night stay. Package deals with spa treatments are available.