Israel’s Best Family Hotels

Taking a vacation in Israel never disappoints, but there’s a big difference between touring Israel alone or with a partner/friend and bringing the kids. When you’ve got little ones in tow, not only are you going to be constantly looking for activities to keep them busy, but you’re also going to want to find accommodation that’s family-friendly.  

A little boy swimming in the hotel pool. Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash

Israel - the ultimate family-friendly vacation spot

Luckily, Israel is a country that’s not just set up for kids' activities but it has a culture that actively embraces families. Israelis love children and the family is at the heart of everything in this country, so chances are it’s not going to be too difficult for you to find accommodation and family attractions in Israel that are geared towards the little ones.

Accommodations for all budgets in Israel

We won’t deny it - Israel’s not a cheap country to visit, and the fact is that finding somewhere to sleep each night is a huge chunk of your holiday cash. The good news is that, in recent years, hotels have become more aware of the budget-conscious family, and many of them are really making an effort to keep their prices reasonable, as well as offering plenty of activities to keep kids entertained.

Of course, if you do want to splash the cash, there’s no shortage of classy joints to book, that will - along with the ‘regular’ features of a pool, cable TV, and free wifi - offer other special services, particularly babysitting and kids clubs, so that you can have a holiday too! Doing a bit of research to find out the best family hotels in Israel can take time, so we thought we’d make it easier for you and give you a few suggestions.

Below, we’re setting out plenty of options in all of the major Israeli cities - from budget to mid-level to luxury - because we know one size doesn’t fit all and that price is often important.  And before you take the plunge, don’t be afraid to shop around, online or by giving them a call. You never know when you’ll be able to pick up a special deal, which will make your vacation even more pleasant…

A boat with three people at Jaffa Port, Israel. Photo by Faruk Kaymak on Unsplash

Family-friendly hotels in Jerusalem

1. YMCA Three Arches Hotel - This Jerusalem landmark, famous the world over for its bell tower, is a tried and tested favorite when it comes to accommodating families. It’s a fusion of old-world charm and modern conveniences, with lots of friendly staff and a wonderful garden, complete with stone pathways, around which you can stroll.

This hotel is considered ‘three-star superior’ with rooms featuring views of the garden and King David Street (named after the biblical king). There is free wifi and cable TV and a fitness center complete with a pool and jacuzzi. Breakfast can be eaten on the outside patio and guests are also welcome to climb the bell tower, for extraordinary views over Eternal City.

Address: YMCA, 26 King David Street, Jerusalem. Tel: 02 569-2692.

2. Hillel 11 Hotel, Jerusalem - A stone’s throw from King George Street, in the heart of West Jerusalem, this is a good value-for-money option, particularly if you’ve got two more kids, since Hillel 11 offers larger rooms which contain one or two sofa beds, along with a double bed. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, and both Mahane Yehuda Market and the Old City are within easy walking distance.  Some of the rooms have fridges in them (which is a nice touch, since breakfast is not available in the hotel). Convenient and budget-friendly.

Address: Hillel 11, 11 Hillel Street, Jerusalem. Tel: 02 540-2225.

3. Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem - Located on King George Street, close to the Great Synagogue, this is the place to come for some luxury. Leonardo Plaza is a five-star hotel with 270 rooms, all tastefully designed. Facilities include a large pool, a fitness center, a dining room (serving a fabulous Israeli breakfast), and the kosher chef restaurant Primavera for lunch and dinner options. There’s even a library, where you can sit and read to your heart’s content, whilst your offspring are in kids' clubs (board games for the youngsters and games consoles for the teenagers!)

Address: King George St. 47, Jerusalem. Tel: 02 629-8666.

View of the Western Wall, Jerusalem. Photo by Ivan Louis on Unsplash

5. St. George Hotel, Jerusalem - This upscale hotel is just a four-minute walk from the Shivtei Israel light railway station and a ten-minute walk from the Old City, which makes it perfect if you want to explore Jerusalem’s holy sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, Temple Mount, and the Western Wall.

The staff are very helpful and speak excellent English (and French!) and the family rooms here are comfortable and contemporary. One of the best features of the hotel is its rooftop pool, which offers incredible views of Jerusalem. The upstairs restaurant also has local live music, periodically, which kids may enjoy!

Address: St. George Hotel, Amr Ibn Al A’as Street 6, Jerusalem. Tel: 02 627-7232.

Family relaxing in the hotel room. Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Family-friendly hotels in Tel Aviv

1. The Royal Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv - Whilst this is by no means a cheap option, this five-star hotel isn’t just luxurious but goes out of its way to accommodate families, especially with its suites (which range from between 50 to 90 square meters). The hotel has a contemporary and urban feel and prides itself on its service.

Not only is the Royal Beach a stone’s throw from the beach, as well as endless other attractions in Tel Aviv but it also has a fantastic pool and a kid’s club that is run by both professional and caring staff. Finally, the breakfast is raved about by everyone who comes to visit - in the vein of ‘it could feed an army.’

Address: HaYarkon Street 19, Tel Aviv.  Tel: 02 627-7232.

2. Arbel Suites Hotel, Tel Aviv - This pleasant and low-key three-star aparthotel sits just behind the famous Dizengoff Street and, just a few minutes walk from Gordon Beach, is very family friendly - actually they are a family business themselves.

View of Tel Aviv seaside from Jaffa. Photo by Adam Jang on Unsplash

Each apartment has free wifi, air conditioning, a fully-equipped kitchen, and both high chairs and baby bathtubs are available upon request. Bikes are free for guests so you can take your kids on a city tour! Some of the suites have both a double bed and two sofa beds, so they really are accommodating. Oh, and the breakfast is terrific! Great value for money.

Address: 11 Hulda Street Tel Aviv. Tel: 03 522-5450.

3. The Spot Hostel, Tel Aviv - With a tagline of "offering something for everyone" the Spot Hostel is a lot more comfortable than your average hostel, and with its fantastic location, close to both the Namal Port and Park Hayarkon, and a short bus ride to Jaffa is a great choice for families looking for clean, comfortable accommodation at a price that won’t break the bank.

The Spot offers family accommodation (two rooms that interconnect) and their facilities are enviable, including a fully-stocked kitchen, laundry room, screening room (keeping both kids and adults happy), and their famous ‘Lager & Ale’ bar which serves drinks, snacks, and traditional pub grub. Oh, and if there’s a budding musician or comedian in your group, look out for their ‘open mic’ nights.

Address: HaTa'arucha Street 3, Tel Aviv. Tel: 03 790-7477.

Aerial view of Tel Aviv Old Port. Photo by Shai Pal on Unsplash

Family-friendly hotels in Galilee

The Lake House Kinneret - If you’re in Nazareth or Galilee and looking for family-friendly accommodation, then this could be a good choice for you. They’ve recently had a complete renovation, so the decor is very new and modern, and their suites can accommodate between 4-5 people - great if you’re a family.  A pool and a big breakfast are also part of the deal, plus a spa if you want to pamper yourself.

The Lake House Kinneret is directly on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, affording wonderful views and its location is good too - the Hamat Tiberias National Park (with the famous hot springs) is just an 8-minute drive, and if you want to look at religious sites in the area, it’s less than an eight-minute drive to Church of the Primacy of St. Peter or the Tomb of Maimonides.

Address: Ha'Marchatzaot Road, Tiberias. Tel: 04 672-8500.

Family-friendly hotels in Eilat

1. U Coral Beach Club, Eilat - All Inclusive - Even though there are so many things to do in Eilat, if you want a relaxed holiday where you don’t have to plan activities, this all-inclusive hotel is a fantastic choice.  Close to the beach and also the Underwater Observatory, there’s everything here you need, if you’re not in the mood to leave the complex!

U Coral Beach offers comfortable and spacious ‘junior family’, excellent and varied food options (you can eat as much as you want), an open bar (with alcoholic and soft drinks) as well as nightly entertainment.  As for the kids, there’s a separate heated pool for the youngsters, complete with slides, a kids club, table tennis, and a private beach with volleyball, archery, and snorkeling equipment.

Address: Almog Beach Marina, Eilat. Tel: 08 635-0000.

Eilat, Aquapark. Photo by Michal Ico on Unsplash

2. City Apartments, Eilat - These apartments are both clean and well-equipped, offering great value for money in Eilat. The location is excellent (very close to the beach), the management is very helpful and there’s a reasonably-priced supermarket nearby if you want to prepare light meals or breakfast for yourself, rather than eating out every day.

The apartments come in different sizes, and all are equipped with bed linen, towels, and the basics in the kitchen. They are also close to the shopping mall and the owners are happy to help with information regarding food and drink (since they do not have a restaurant on the premises).

Address: Neviot Street 23, Eilat. Tel: 08 633-8361.

Family-friendly hotels in Bethlehem

Grand Hotel, Bethlehem - If you're visiting Bethlehem, then the Grand Hotel is a good choice, offering family-friendly hospitality as well as a warm welcome and lots of help with getting around town. They have family rooms, all of which have air conditioning and a minibar, free wifi and a refrigerator and there’s a 24-hour front desk and a comfortable lounge.

The Grand Hotel also offers a Mexican Mariachi restaurant, the first of its kind in Palestine actually! And if you want to sit and relax with the kids, their cafe serves delicious salads and cakes, made on the premises. The Grand Hotel is a short walk from the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto, and Manger Square.

Address:  St. Paul VI Street 69, Bethlehem. Tel: 02 274-1440. 

Magi Bethlehem Scene Christmas ball ornament. Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

Family-friendly hotels at the Dead Sea

The Daniel Hotel at the Ein Bokek stretch of the Dead Sea is a very comfortable hotel if you’re in the neighborhood, and has plenty of facilities to keep the kids happy. One of the best Dead Sea beaches is three minutes walk away and the pool has both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a wellness area with a hot tub, sauna, and gym.

The family rooms are spacious and clean, with comfy beds, and overlook either the Dead Sea itself or the Edom Mountains. The food (both breakfast and buffet lunches and dinners) is consistently good and the hotel offers nightly performances and shows. The staff really do their best to make you feel welcome. Our tip: Get to the pools early - they are popular and the sun loungers are often taken by 11 am!

Incidentally, whilst the Dead Sea is one of those must-see places in Israel, for adults and kids alike, the good news is that there’s not just salty water to float in when you’re in this area - with a car, it’s a quick drive to the ancient fortress of Masada and the beautiful nature reserve of Ein Gedi, where you can hike and splash around in waterfalls.

Address: Ein Bokek, Tamar, Dead Sea. Tel: 08  668-9999. 

The Dead Sea Shore from above. Photo by Artem Belinsky on Unsplash