Israel
Luxury hotels, insider access, and bespoke itineraries
The Destination
Israel packs an extraordinary range into a small country — the Mediterranean ease of Tel Aviv, the sacred weight of Jerusalem, and, increasingly, the raw drama of the Negev Desert in the south. It is a destination for travellers who want culture, cuisine and faith by day and vast, silent landscapes by nightfall, all within a few hours' drive.
At the top of the market the country's defining stay is Six Senses Shaharut, carved into the cliffs above the ancient Arava Valley in the Negev. Opened in 2021, its 60 suites and villas look out over desert that runs to the horizon; the Cliff Pool Villas hang an infinity plunge pool above the valley floor, and the resort is built for desert silence — stargazing programmes, immersive Bedouin experiences, and desert-to-table dining at Midian using Negev ingredients. It is unlike anything else in the Six Senses portfolio.
Because Shaharut is a destination in itself, we pair it with the cities — a few guided nights in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv before the desert — and handle the sequencing, the private transfers across the country, and the desert excursions and stargazing that make the trip. As preferred partners we add complimentary benefits such as breakfast, upgrades and credits, at the same rate you would pay booking direct.
Best Time to Visit
March to May and October to November are the windows to book: 20 to 28°C in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, dry days, and a Negev that is walkable rather than punishing. Spring brings desert wildflowers across the Arava after the winter rains — short and unpredictable, usually February into March. Avoid July and August unless heat truly doesn't bother you; southern Negev highs push 40°C and the UV index maxes out. Winter is the surprise: December to February stays mild and clear in the desert and around Eilat, while Jerusalem turns cold and wet, with occasional snow. Work around the Jewish calendar — Passover in spring and the High Holidays in September or October lift rates and thin availability, and Ben Gurion airport closes completely for Yom Kippur. Shabbat quietens the whole country from Friday afternoon.
Insider Tips
Put the Negev at the end, not the middle. Cities first — Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are demanding — then drive south and let the desert do the decompressing. Guests who reverse it spend their last three days in traffic. Six Senses Shaharut sits in the Arava Valley, roughly three and a half hours from Tel Aviv by road, or a 50-minute domestic flight to Ramon airport plus a 45-minute drive. Fly it if you can. The common mistake is treating the Negev as a day trip from Jerusalem: it isn't, and stopping at Masada or Mitzpe Ramon en route makes the drive the point rather than the cost. Book Shaharut months ahead; it is a small property and the desert suites go first. Then plan Friday and Saturday deliberately — public transport stops and most things shut.
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to visit Israel?
For the Negev Desert and Six Senses Shaharut, October through April brings comfortable daytime temperatures for exploring; Tel Aviv on the coast is a year-round city. Spring, roughly March to May, is the loveliest window for the whole country. High summer in the desert is very hot, so we shift outdoor activities to twilight and after dark.
How many days do you need in Israel?
A week works well: three nights or so at Six Senses Shaharut for the desert, paired with three or four in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for the culture, food and history. The country is compact and the drives are short, so you can cover a lot without rushing — and we arrange the private transfers between the desert and the cities.
Should I combine the Negev Desert with the cities?
We almost always recommend it. Six Senses Shaharut delivers desert solitude, stargazing and cliffside calm, while Jerusalem and Tel Aviv bring the historic and culinary depth — the contrast is the trip. Shaharut sits a few hours south of the cities, an easy private transfer we set up, so a single week can hold both.
What are the best luxury hotels in Israel?
The country's benchmark luxury resort is Six Senses Shaharut, set into the cliffs above the Arava Valley in the Negev Desert, with cliff-edge villas, a floating infinity pool and a Six Senses spa. It is the address for a desert stay; we combine it with a well-chosen city hotel in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to round out the itinerary.
Is a luxury travel advisor worth it for Israel?
Yes — you pay the same rate as booking direct and gain preferred-partner benefits like breakfast, upgrades when available and resort credits at Six Senses Shaharut. Just as useful is the planning: we sequence the desert and the cities, arrange the cross-country private transfers, and line up the guided Jerusalem days and desert experiences.
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