The Best Luxury Hotels in Eilat, Israel

Named after the biblical figure (said to have journeyed to Jerusalem with mounds of gold and precious stones in tow), it’s little wonder that the Queen of Sheba is one of the best luxury hotels in Eilat. Set just off a central beach, and flanked by the yacht-stuffed Lagoona, this grand pile impresses from the moment you walk through its doors. The Sheba Spa is decked out with a Jacuzzi, a steam room and a sauna, while bedrooms afford postcard views over the Red Sea and the surrounding peaks.

Herods Vitalis, set by a honey-coloured fringe of beach and lapped by the blues of the Red Sea, is all about pampering. The spa is its main focus, with indoor and outdoor pools, hydrotherapy waterfalls and a sauna on tap to help you unwind – not to mention shoulder-unclenching massages and skin-soothing facials. But the wellness vibe extends to some of the bedrooms, too: the Rain Suite features a double whirlpool bath, a rain shower and a balcony with pool views.

Astral Palma, in the heart of the marina, is a great bet for travellers looking to do a spot of holiday shopping – you’re sandwiched between stores galore, right next to the popular Ice Mall. Not that you’ll necessarily have time for shopping sprees, mind you. Besides great views, at Astra Palma, you’ll find a private marina with water sports to fill your days and a pool lined with sunbeds and lush greenery. Lovely contemporary bedrooms feature subtle seaside tones and soft lighting.

If your definition of luxury includes waking up on the beach, then Dan Eilat, perched right on the sands of HaZahav, is a prime pick. Two central swimming pools, fringed in palms and atmospherically landscaped with boulders, make it a natural choice for families. A children’s play centre comes as a bonus, so you can slip away to the spa, a romantic lunch at one of the many onsite restaurants or rest up ahead of an evening at the onsite disco.

With its private stretch of beach, selection of restaurants, tranquil spa and even its own nightlife location – the popular Three Monkeys Pub – the Royal Beach has got everything you need for a prime Eilat holiday. This includes spectacular views: many of the rooms enjoy uninterrupted vistas towards the sparkling blue sea and out to the nearby mountains. When you do head out, you’ll have a buzzing beachside promenade to enjoy just a few steps away.

Families are treated like royalty at Isrotel King Solomon. From the series of pools to the decked-out kids’ club and poolside snack bar – plus plenty of family-sized rooms with separate children’s sleeping areas – the resort is well-placed to help your brood make lasting beachside memories. Little ones will adore the water slides in particular; parents will love the opportunity to sneak away to an onsite spa with a hot tub and a relaxation area.

You’ll feel like you’re staying in the middle of nowhere at this hotel, ringed in palms and russet earth. And, yet, you’re still only a short walk from the beach and the glassy expanse of the New Marina. Herods is a popular pick with business travellers who want to mix its conference facilities with the sun-drenched location – but the balcony-lined rooms, with hues of blue and gold, suit leisure travellers just as well.

With a prime location right on the sands of HaShchafim Beach and a spectacular palm-fringed pool stretching theatrically towards the water, it’s easy to see what makes Herods Palace such a popular stay. Plenty of poolside loungers, plus alfresco dining areas and a beach area with thatched umbrellas, mean you can basically spend your entire day outside. And, with average temperatures in Eilat upwards of 24C (75F), who wouldn’t want that?

All-inclusive resorts, when done well, can provide the ultimate luxury: the opportunity to eat and drink to your heart’s content – without ever having to worry about the final bill. And Isrotel Lagoona, set by a yacht-filled marina, does just that. From popsicles and ice cream to beers and wine, all your daily snacks, meals and bevvies are included, so you can just kick back and enjoy. The only wallet worry? You’re a mere 2-minute walk from some of the finest shopping in the city.

You won’t want to leave the pool at Astral Maris – and, with rich views towards the Red Sea right from here, as well as a waterside bar and food menu, you’ll rarely have to. When you do finally budge from your lounger, enjoy the full onsite restaurant – serving up everything from freshly baked bread to fishy feasts – and modern rooms, decked out in crisp whites. If you’re travelling with little ‘uns, you’ll appreciate the onsite kids’ club.