Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SELF-CATERING
In Jerusalem and throughout
the rest of Israel you can
find a wide selection of
property to rent, from smart
city apartments to luxury
country homes. The cost can
vary considerably, depending
on the type of property you
require, but if you are a large
family or party, then it can
often work out very reasonably
when compared to the same
length of stay in a hotel. One
of the biggest agents dealing
with rented holiday homes in
Israel is
Homtel
.
A reception room at the luxurious American Colony Hotel, Jerusalem
July and August, as this is the
busiest time of year, with
many Israelis also taking their
own holidays.
It is, therefore, always wise
to book well in advance, and
the
Israel Hotel Association
,
the
Kibbutz Hotel Chain
,
field schools, youth hostels
and some local bed-and-
breakfast associations all have
centralized booking services,
which are often accessible via
the internet and e-mail. The
same also applies to many
independent hotels and guest
houses. If you do need to
make arrangements yourself
over the phone, most hotel
staff can speak good English.
informal) hotel complexes
with restaurants, swimming
pools and other facilities. Most
of the hotels are members of
the
Kibbutz Hotel Chain
(KHC), the largest hotel group
in Israel. As well as providing
accommodation, they also
organize package tours,
adventure breaks, organized
nature tours and fly-drive
holidays. These can often be
good options, as, owing to
their often remote locations,
many kibbutz hotels are not
served by public transport,
and may only be convenient
if travelling by car.
Kibbutz hotels are very
popular among the Israelis for
their own vacations, especially
during the Jewish holidays
and in July and August. It is
consequently difficult to find
accommodation during these
times, unless you book well
in advance. Prices usually
range between NIS 300-700
for a double room and break-
fast, depending on the type
of kibbutz and the season.
CHRISTIAN HOSPICES
AND GUEST HOUSES
This type of accommodation,
mainly in Jerusalem and
near the holy sites, is a
popular and inexpensive
alternative to hotels. Clean
and unashamedly basic, they
are often centrally located,
and for many are an ideal
place to stay for a few nights.
You don't have to be a
practising Christian to lodge
at the Christian hospices, but
at times the house rules can
be quite strict (you must leave
the room early in the morning
and the doors are locked at
10-11pm). For unmarried
couples it may also be
difficult to find a double
room. Many guest houses
have over the years become
bona fide hotels, with their
own special charm and
character. In this case, prices
are slightly higher, although
they are still good value when
compared to the large hotels.
KIBBUTZ HOTELS
These hotels were first
established as a source of
supplementary income for the
largely agricultural kibbutzim,
and are completely separate
from the very basic type of
accommodation offered to
those on kibbutz working
holidays
(see p293)
.
Located mostly in
the country, they are
ideally placed for
visitors wanting a
relaxing country
break or a base near
some of the region's
archaeological
attractions. Here
again there is no
grading system:
accommodation
ranges from very
plain lodgings on
working kibbutzim,
offering bed and
breakfast, to more
comfortable (albeit
Enjoying the view of Jerusalem's Old City from the terrace at the King David Hotel
