Israel Feature

Israel has plenty of hotels belonging to major international hotel chains and smaller national networks, as well as independently run lodgings. Some are utilitarian, but some recent trends are a rise in distinctive boutique hotels and in luxury properties. In contrast, options such as kibbutz hotels and bed-and-breakfasts (known as zimmers in Israel) offer a glimpse into local life and a more leisurely experience.

Israel's Ministry of Tourism has begun to institute a system that should be in place by the end of 2012. The government has already started to rate the country's 9,000 B&Bs, starting with those in the Galilee. They are ranked A, B, or C, based on size and the facilities offered.

Apartment and House Rentals

Short-term rentals are popular, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and particularly for families who would otherwise be taking two or three hotel rooms. Options range from basic studios to mansions, and most are privately owned. Agents give you the biggest selection, but it's also possible to find accommodations through listing services.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

Over the past decade, thousands of zimmers have sprung up, especially in the Galilee and the Golan. These are intimate cabins, usually featuring one or two bedrooms, a kitchenette, a hot tub, and an outdoor lounging area. Prices are not necessarily lower than hotels, but if it's peace and quiet you're after, these may be just the thing.

Many of Israel's kibbutzim (communal settlements) have opened B&Bs. Private-home owners are also increasingly opening their doors to guests.

Camping

Campgrounds in Israel are more rustic than in the United States. They're known as khenonyanei layla (night parking) and may be found in national parks everywhere around the country except for the central region around Tel Aviv. It's illegal to set up camp outside of parks, but despite this, Israelis like to camp on the beaches. Camping on the shores of the Sea of Galilee is ideal in late spring and fall.

Christian Hospices

Lodgings called Christian hospices (meaning hostelries, not facilities for the ill) provide accommodations and sometimes meals; these are mainly in Jerusalem and the Galilee. Some hospices are real bargains, while others are merely reasonable; facilities range from spare to luxurious. They give preference to pilgrimage groups, but most will accept secular travelers when space is available.

Home Exchanges and Vacation Rentals

With a direct home exchange you stay in someone else's home while they stay in yours. More common in Israel is the vacation rental. You're not actually staying in someone's full-time residence, just their weekend place or an investment rental.

Hostels

Youth hostels in Israel compete with hotels and guesthouses. Many hostels provide family rooms with private baths. All are air-conditioned; some have communal cooking facilities; and all provide meals. It's worth coming equipped with a valid Hostelling International membership card—otherwise, the attractive, modern hostels charge guesthouse prices. Even without a card, however, hostels are a good deal.

Kibbutz Hotels

Around the country, kibbutz hotels offer budget-level accommodations in peaceful, sometimes lovely settings. Most have large lawns, swimming pools, and athletic facilities. Some offer lectures about the history of kibbutzim and tours of the settlements and the surrounding areas.