Living luxuriously: the best boutique hotels in Israel

Set in a 1920s White City building in Tel Aviv’s centre, the Montefiore is a unique design hotel with a Vietnamese fusion restaurant. It offers elegant rooms with an iPod docking station and original artwork.Featuring original Bauhaus architecture, Hotel Montefiore was Tel Aviv’s first boutique hotel. It provides a relaxed, informal atmosphere and free Wi-Fi throughout.Fitted with modern furnishings, rooms have luxurious bathrooms with soft bathrobes and slippers. Each room has an LCD TV with satellite channels and a DVD player, together with a multilingual library and tea/coffee maker.An Israeli breakfast of eggs, vegetables and cheese is served daily. The restaurant serves a mix of French and oriental specialities, such as Tom Yum seafood casserole and their Tarte Tatin "Brasserie".Rothschild Boulevard is 200 metres from the hotel. A shuttle is available from/to Ben Gurion Airport, a 20-minute drive away.

With its swimming pool, gourmet restaurants, landscaped gardens and a high-tech fitness centre, The American Colony Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World offers a tranquil atmosphere in the heart of the vibrant city of Jerusalem. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel.Rooms at The American Colony are located in 4 buildings; the Main House, the East House, the Palm House and the Cow Byre. Luxurious and spacious rooms feature air conditioning, flat-screen TV and Italian "Frette" bed linen. The modern bathrooms are equipped with designer amenities.You can enjoy a selection of international and local savoury products in the garden, in the bar and or in the patio.The hotel wellness centre includes an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and a well equipped fitness room. The business centre is at your disposal for free.The American Colony Hotel is less than 2 km from the Old City. The nearby light-rail can take you to Jerusalem's modern city centre. Free on-site parking is available.

The Colony Hotel is set in the German Colony area of Haifa. This boutique hotel offers a quiet garden, and a sunbathing area on the rooftop terrace.All rooms come with LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee makers. This small hotel combines these modern amenities with original features and architecture of a property that is over 100 years old.Hotel The Colony is just 1 km from the UNESCO site of Baha'i Gardens and Golden Dome. You have a great choice of restaurants, shops, and cafés in the neighbourhood. Free public parking is available nearby.

Just 200 metres from Jerusalem's First Station entertainment area, Dan Boutique Hotel offers spacious rooms with air conditioning. The hotel staff offer a personalised service and there is a large furnished terrace. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Free parking is upon availability.Rooms feature a contemporary design and are equipped with cable TV, a mini fridge, a safe, and tea/coffee making facilities. Each has a private bathroom with a hairdryer, while some have beautiful views over Mount Zion and Jerusalem Old City.Every morning, you can enjoy a range of fresh choices at the buffet breakfast. The lobby restaurant serves light meals and later you can relax with a cocktail in the stylish bar.You can keep fit during your stay at the Dan Boutique in the well-equipped gym or admire the mountain views in the sunny relaxation area.

The Norman Tel Aviv is a luxury hotel set in the centre of Tel Aviv, near the Rothschild Boulevard. It features a rooftop pool, fitness centre and a wellness area, Free WiFi access is available throughout the property. Guests enjoy free shuttle service to the beach. The Norman Tel Aviv is housed in two historic buildings that are restored to their unique architectural heritage. Offering city views, each room is elegantly appointed with a flat-screen TV, desk and a seating area. Other amenities include a Nespresso machine and air conditioning. En suite bathrooms are equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. At The Norman Tel Aviv you will find a bar, 24-hour room service, shared lounge area and a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage facilities. Free use of bicycles is offered, as well as valet service. The hotel is located 200 metres from Rothschild Street, 400 metres from Shenkin Street, 500 metres from Independence Hall Museum and 600 metres from Nachalat Benyamin Crafts Fair. Ben Gurion Airport is 12 km away.

Situated in the lively Nahalat Shiva district, Harmony Hotel offers free on-site parking and design rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is a large buffet breakfast and free snacks in the lounge during the afternoon.Jerusalem's Nahalat Shiva district has plenty of shops, cafés and bars for both day and night-time entertainment. The Old City is a short drive away from Hotel Harmony.Rooms at the Harmony Hotel - an Atlas Boutique Hotel, are compact and stylish. Each comes with a flat-screen TV and air conditioning.

Offering a buffet restaurant and free bikes, Market House - An Atlas Boutique Hotel is located in the Old Jaffa neighbourhood of Tel Aviv and provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi access. A sandy beach strip and a seaside promenade are 300 metres away.Rooms here provide cable TV and a desk, an electric kettle and a fridge. The private bathrooms are fitted with a bath or a shower. A city view is available from all units.At Atlas Boutique Hotel - Market House guests will find a tour desk and laundry facilities. Complimentary breakfast and afternoon refreshments are at the guests' disposal.The property is situated next to the Jaffa Clock Tower and the Jaffa Flea Market. A garden complex can be found within 200 metres. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art can be visited within 4.5 km.The Tel Aviv Central Bus Station is 2.3 km away from the Market House. Ben Gurion Airport is located at a distance of 19 km.

The luxurious Efendi Hotel features a beautiful terrace with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the historic centre of Acre. Haifa is a 30-minute drive away. Only a 10-minute walk from the beach, this hotel is surrounded by picturesque alleys and is 100 metres from the promenade. The Jezzar Pasha Mosque is 200 metres away. Set in 2 buildings, rooms are all modern and air conditioned, and overlook the mountains and the sea. Each has free WiFi, and a living area with an LCD satellite TV and DVD player. The restaurant at Hotel Efendi specialises in fresh seafood and local recipes. A varied Israeli breakfast is served and includes eggs, salads, bread, and hot and cold drinks. A relaxing session in the Turkish bath or in the massage rooms is not to be missed.

Located in Ein Kerem village, Alegra Boutique Hotel is 200 metres from the Church of the Visitation. It offers a gourmet restaurant, a sauna in its fruit orchard, and luxurious suites with exposed-stone walls.With Persian rugs and contemporary bathrooms, the suites at the Alegra are a mix of old and new. Each is uniquely decorated and comes with air conditioning, satellite TV and a tea/coffee maker.A daily Israeli breakfast is provided, including homemade bread, omelette and salad. The restaurant has an open kitchen and serves a generous dinner of up to 8 courses.Housed in an Arabesque building dating from 1850, the property has original artwork in public areas. There is an outdoor pool, and massage treatments are also available.The Old City of Jerusalem is 9 km from the hotel. The Yad Vashem Memorial is a 10-minute drive away.

On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, The Scots Hotel is set in a historic building overlooking the Golan Heights. This former hospital is now a luxurious hotel with swimming pool.The Scots Hotel's rooms are divided between the old and the new wing. They are all air-conditioned and come with a fridge and a tea/coffee maker. Some rooms overlook the lake.You can tour The Scots with a guide who will tell you its long, fascinating history. There is also an art gallery on site.The Torrance restaurant serves rich gourmet food, including Galilee specialities. The wine cellar is stocked with local and international wines.