Ramat Rachel Kibbutz Hotel

A kibbutz that borders on Jerusalem's Arnona neighborhood, Ramat Rachel is perched on a wooded hill with sweeping panoramic views of the Silwan Valley, the Judean Desert, Gilo and many of Jerusalem's newer neighborhoods. Ramat Rachel Kibbutz Hotel started life as a youth hostel, but has blossomed into a world-class facility boasting 165 rooms, a pool and health spa, a conference center, a synagogue and an events hall extremely popular for weddings among both Jerusalemites and visitors.

The Ramat Rachel Kibbutz Hotel pool area is the real deal, which is why it's one of the most popular places for local families to buy memberships. The jacuzzi is particularly noteworthy, since it sits in a glassed-in room with unobstructed views of Gilo and beyond. Ramat Rachel Kibbutz Hotel offers many options for different budgets, ranging all the way up to VIP rooms, which come with jacuzzis and living rooms. The kibbutz is tucked in a corner of Jerusalem's southern edge, so it is beyond walking distance to Jerusalem's main attractions, but it is only a quarter-hour drive from downtown.