Country Information

About 350 hotels are members of the Israel Hotel Association (see Accommodation Information below). Prices vary according to season and region. It is best to book months in advance for Israel's high season (usually July to August, though this varies according to the region) and for religious holiday periods.

Located on the Mediterranean, these villages provide accommodation usually in the form of small two-bed cabins and bungalows. The standard fittings often include full air conditioning. Most are only open between April and October.

Apartments and individual rooms are available on a rental basis throughout Israel.

Located mainly in places of Christian interest, some 30 Christian hospices (operated by a variety of denominations) provide room and board at low rates. Although preference is given to pilgrimage groups, most accommodate tourists. They vary greatly in size and standards but all offer tourists basic accommodation in situations where hotels are full. Details are available from the Israel Government Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).

The fine climate makes Israel a good country for camping, with campsites providing a touring base for each region. They offer full sanitary facilities, electric current, a restaurant and/or store, telephone, postal services, first-aid facilities, shaded picnic and campfire areas, and day and night security guards. They can be reached by bus, but all are open to cars and caravans. Most have tents and cabins, as well as a wide range of equipment for hire. All sites have swimming facilities either on-site or within easy reach.

There are about 20 hostels in Israel. They can be dormitory, family bungalows, guest house standard rooms, huts or modern cubicles and they are scattered all over the country in both urban and rural areas. For further details, contact the IYHA (see Accommodation Information below).

Across Israel, many private families have converted their homes into bed & breakfasts, known as zimmers. Some are simple rooms with a shared bathroom; others are private bungalows with kitchenettes and all mod cons. For details and addresses of zimmers in Jerusalem, contact the Home Accommodation Association of Jerusalem (see Accommodation Information below).

Israel Hotel Association
PO Box 50066, 29 Hamered Street, Tel Aviv 61500, Israel
Tel: (03) 517 0131.
Website: www.israelhotels.org.il

Israel Youth Hostelling Association (IYHA)
Binyanei Ha'mah, PO Box 6001, Jerusalem 91060, Israel
Tel: (02) 655 8400/6.
Website: www.youth-hostels.org.il

Kibbutz Hotel Chain
41 Montefiore Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: (03) 560 8118.
Website: www.kibbutz.co.il

Home Accommodation Association of Jerusalem
Website: www.bnb.co.il

Information is also available from the Israel Government Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).