12 Best Hotels in Tiberias, Lower Galilee

On-site parking and a central location attracts young and budget-watching tourists to this small, family-owned boutique hotel, one of Tiberias’s newer hotels. It's a short walk to the lakefront promenade and nightlife. Clean and fresh with an attractive breakfast buffet included in the room price, this hotel has a warm service staff that make you feel at home.

This upscale hotel, with a contemporary structure linking two older, superbly refurbished Ottoman-style ones, has a pleasingly asymmetrical design filled with pleasant surprises, such as a roof terrace, where you can enjoy a drink or light meal. There's also an inviting courtyard with a waterfall, a spa, and an outdoor pool. Everywhere are views of the lake. The aesthetics are wonderful, with nicely decorated rooms and well-appointed bathrooms. The Scots Hotel was originally a missionary hospital, erected in 1894 by a Scottish surgeon who felt called to treat the sick in the Holy Land. The hospital operated until 1959; in 1999 the Church of Scotland renovated the complex into this luxurious property. A wonderful wine bar is on premises. 

One of Tiberias's better moderately priced hotels, the Astoria is set away from the lake, but there are still views from some of the guest rooms. What it lacks in location, it makes up for in quality. The hotel is comfortable and family run, with furnishings done up in attractive pastels. Large family rooms are available.

This family-run hotel has spacious rooms, most with balconies. A car is an advantage here, but there is frequent public transportation downtown (except on the Sabbath). Rooms have kitchens, so the supermarket across the street is very convenient. 

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 a peaceful rural location high on a mountain, the relaxed kibbutz atmosphere of this hotel mainly caters to Jewish religious travelers and family groups. Many of the spacious guest rooms feature spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. A full-service restaurant, a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool (separate bathing hours for men and women), a health club, and a playground are some of the on-site attractions. Ask to see the synagogue-furniture factory and the unique apparatus set up in the cowsheds to milk the cows on Saturday without violating the Sabbath. The furnishings in rooms are basic but comfortable. The wireless Internet is free.

Cascading down a hillside, this all-inclusive, all-suites hotel boasts an unimpeded view of the lake. The spacious units sleep at least four, and the rate is the same up to that number. This classic vacation property, part of the international Leonardo chain, has a cheerful, upbeat style, an all-season team to engage kids, and a good health club to relax parents. Downtown is less than 10 minutes away by car or cab.

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.

The family-run establishment is the northernmost hotel in Tiberias and has rare private lake frontage, though no beach. Most guest rooms are in a two-story building facing the water. The upper floor is made up of suites; the lower floor opens out to lawns and the pool area. There are also several large family rooms. All in all, it's a great value.

A riot of greenery, including an inviting bustan (a local-style garden redolent with fragrant herbs), surrounds this inn, which has whirlpools and wooden balconies. Israel and Sarah Shavit make congenial hosts, with the added bonus that he's a licensed tour guide and chef. Four apartments have living rooms, kitchenettes, and bedrooms (one is wheelchair accessible); the fifth has two bedrooms. There's also a dorm-type room for up to 14 people. The rustic environment, 10 minutes from Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, is pleasant, and the dining room, which serves breakfast, transforms into a good-value à la carte restaurant in the evening.