Apartment hotels offer more home-like living space and flexibility than a hotel, but a higher level of service than privately owned vacation rentals.
If you’re traveling to Israel with children, or for an extended period, it can make good sense to look into renting an apartment hotel rather than a hotel room or Airbnb.
Also called “serviced” or “vacation” apartments, aparthotels offer the best of both worlds: A homelike environment complete with kitchen, living space and one or more bedrooms, along with hotel-like services such as free Wi-Fi, toiletries, guest assistance, luggage storage, in-room safe, and housekeeping (but note that housekeeping may not be daily or may be extra).
Here’s a sampling of some of the best to give you an idea of apartment hotels available in Israel’s major cities.
THE LEVEE, Tel Aviv
The newly opened Levee “home-tel” is housed in a 1913 vintage villa in the fashionable Neve Tzedek neighborhood. Nine years of meticulous restoration went into transforming it into eight high-ceilinged luxury apartments of 115 to 280 square meters with balconies, including a rooftop-spanning two-floor penthouse with terrace and sweeping views across the White City.
Address: 16 Yehuda Halevy St., Tel Aviv
Amenities: 24/7 concierge, turndown service
Parking: Valet
CARMEL MARKET APARTMENTS BY MASTER, Tel Aviv
Six luxury short-term rentals near Carmel Market, in walking distance to the beach, have fully equipped kitchens including dishwasher, Nespresso coffee machine and oven. Configurations include two-bedroom, three-bedroom, duplex for four with a balcony, duplex for four ground floor, and penthouse for two.
The Master aparthotel brand is a new concept from Leonardo Hotels. There’s another location in Tel Aviv in the Molcho-Neve Tzedek neighborhood as well as in Haifa (see below) and soon in Beersheva.
Address: 39 Yishkon, Tel Aviv
Amenities: Pet-friendly, bicycle rental available
Parking: Nearby lot
Click here for reservations
ECLECTIC, Tel Aviv
With 12 budget apartments (studio or one-bedroom), Eclectic is geared to young travelers with a passion for nightlife. Located near Rothschild Boulevard in a renovated 1923 Bauhaus building with high ceilings, wooden floors, art-deco windows and a music- and art-focused bar at street level, Eclectic offers self-check-in and a communal rooftop area.
Address: 122 Allenby St., Tel Aviv
Amenities: Tourist info, Sputnik Bar
Parking: Nearby lot
Click here for reservations
SHAMAI SUITES, Jerusalem
This boutique apartment hotel in the lively city center — adjacent to public transportation, the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall, restaurants, cafés, galleries, mini-markets and nightlife, and a short distance from the Machane Yehuda Market and the Old City — offers 18 apartments with kitchenettes for short-and long-term rental. Sizes range from studios to two-bedroom suites for up to six guests.
Address: 15 Ben Hillel St. (corner of Shamai), Jerusalem
Amenities: Daily housekeeping, reception service
Parking: Two nearby public lots
Click here for reservations
WINDOWS OF JERUSALEM
Located down the block from Machane Yehuda Market in a modern residential high-rise on the light-rail line, Windows of Jerusalem offers 20 spacious one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens (can be koshered on request), washers and dryers, living rooms, and fabulous views.
Address: 40 Agripas St., Jerusalem
Amenities: front desk, concierge, Jacuzzis in some apartments
Parking: Underground lot
Click here for reservations
SWEET INN, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
In Tel Aviv, Sweet Inn offers 18 luxury apartments, from one to four bedrooms, in the Jaffa Port, Allenby, Florentin, Neve Tzedek, Carmel Market, South Beach, Central Beach and North Beach neighborhoods.
In Jerusalem, Sweet Inn offers 57 luxury apartments ranging from one to five bedrooms, in the Mamilla, Talbieh, Rehavia, City Center, German Colony and Machane Yehuda neighborhoods.
A centrally located Sweet Inn team is available 24/7 at a street-level lobby that offers full concierge services, a business center, beverages and seating areas.
Amenities: Breakfast and grocery delivery, dry-cleaning/laundry service, private chef, guided city tour, local smartphone, airport transfer (all for an extra charge)
Click here for reservations
DIANA SEAPORT APARTMENTS, Haifa
Located in downtown Haifa near the port and a variety of cultural, nightlife and shopping options, Diana Seaport offers 90 apartments in a restored landmark heritage building, each with fully equipped kitchenettes. Options range from a sea-view studio to double occupancy to a mini suite with a balcony.
Address: 5 HaBankim St., Haifa
Amenities: 24/7 reception and lobby, Saigon Asian restaurant, facilities for disabled guests, business facilities, self-service laundry, cribs available
Parking: On street
Click here for reservations
HAIFA BEACH APARTMENTS BY MASTER
This new option in Israel’s northern port city is comprised of 15 units in a large residential apartment building, ranging from studio to two bedrooms, all with a sea view overlooking Carmel Beach. Guests even get beach towels.
Address: 10 David Elazer St., Haifa
Amenities: Swimming pool, laundry and ironing facilities, ATM machine, 24/7 customer support and private concierge, spa and wellness center admission at extra charge
Parking: free, on street and in parking garage
Click here for reservations
OTTOMAN HOUSE BOUTIQUE APARTMENTS, Beersheva
This aparthotel in the trendy Old City of Israel’s Negev “capital city” consists of 20 two-bedroom apartments (including a bridal suite) geared to both business and family travelers.
Its sister hospitality complex in northern Beersheva, Habayit Be-Matityahu, offers 12 apartments from studio to two bedrooms, some with private gardens.
Both properties are run by students and graduates of the hotel-management program at nearby Ben-Gurion University.
Address: 9 HaAvot St., Beersheva
Amenities: Breakfast, in-room massage available for a fee; vouchers can be arranged for lunch and dinner at local eateries
Parking: On the street
(Israel21c)
