The Best Places to Book in Haifa

You’ll be wooed by the minimalist design of this cute boutique hotel in Haifa, situated in the German Colony area. From the outside, the place is traditionally styled with a grand garden entrance, but the interiors have a fresh, modern feel with natural stones and woods used throughout. Olive green and sapphire-hued fabrics used for curtains and chairs mirror the plants and mature trees sunning outside your window. Be sure to hit the roof terrace for a pre-dinner happy hour.

Feel right at home at this friendly guest house, with several self-contained apartments to choose from. Rooms have an authentic and down-to-earth feel, so you can get into the local swing of things. If you’re in the mood for a quiet night in, take home some local treats and rustle up a memorable meal in your fully-equipped kitchen. This charming whitewashed property is also next to the beautiful Bahai Gardens, so you can wander over to the Unesco World Heritage Site before anyone else does.

If you’re looking for a simple basecamp, then this pint-sized hotel ought to do the job. All of its rooms feature modern furnishings with air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities and free toiletries. Start the morning right with a continental breakfast, then head to some local landmarks like the Haifa City Museum or the thriving port district, which buzzes with life at night.

If you’re travelling as a family or with a group of friends, these bright and breezy two-bed and three-bed apartments make for a great base. They include everything you need for a comfy city stay, with fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living rooms, dining rooms and cute balconies with views over the diverse Hadar district, which trickles down Mount Carmel’s northern slope. Here you’ll find rows of antique shops and small coffee shops, and at the Talpiot Market, a vivid mix of fresh fruit and vegetables.

This funky hostel is a popular choice for backpackers and solo travellers. Within the stone building are timber-clad interiors decorated with colourful murals and strewn with upcycled furniture. Go economy-style with a dorm bed or pay the extra for your own private room – either way, you’ll be just five minutes from Bahai Gardens, the downtown port area and the train station found between.

Pops of turquoise and burnt orange in the form of scatter cushions and headboards add plenty of colour to these smart and well-designed contemporary rooms. The property dates back to the 1920s but thanks to careful restoration, the interiors fully cater to the 21st-century traveller. Room rates include a buffet breakfast, with local ingredients and fresh-baked bread on the menu. After fuelling up for the day, hit Bat Galim Beach, which is just two minutes away.

Step back in time at this whimsical downtown Haifa hotel, which features a traditional stone exterior, arched windows and chunky wooden awnings. The rooms are simply styled, with rustic pieces of furniture and checkerboard tiled floors. Hadar-City Hall metro station is a short walk away, connecting you to attractions such as Bahai Gardens and Stella Maris Monastery. You’re also within easy reach of good dining options here: Fattoush, The Colony Hotel and Douzan are the hotel’s top tips.

This chic apart-hotel brand is all about magazine-worthy interiors, with slick suites located in two areas of the city. Get the best views of the city and the coast beyond at the hilltop Moriah Avenue location, or – if you’re a sucker for listening to the sound of waves crashing onto the beach – opt for the Carmel Beach outpost.

This apartment complex from Leonardo Hotels puts you right by Carmel Beach, so you’ll never have far to go to feel the sand between your toes. Pour yourself a Nespresso coffee and take in the deep-blue vista through floor-to-ceiling windows to start the day on a high. There’s a fully-equipped open-plan kitchen for making slap-up meals – an Israeli-style shakshuka, for example – while L’Occitane en Provence toiletries neatly displayed in the bathroom complete the luxury feel.