Whether you prefer Haifa hotels in a historical area, in the thick of things or on the beach, we’ll examine three that have exactly what you’re looking for in top Haifa hotels.
Respectively, they are: The Haifa Bay View Hotel, the Templers Boutique Hotel and the Leonardo Plaza Haifa.
Haifa Bay View Hotel: Stunning views and convenient location
Perched on your room’s window bench overlooking Haifa Bay and port from the top of a mountain, you’ll be reluctant to leave the Haifa Bay View, one of the top Haifa hotels.
Your first impression is of the clean, beautiful lobby and pleasantly designed interior throughout. Staff welcome you in Russian, Hebrew and English. Favorite common areas are the terraces that overlook the sea.
The same standards of care continue into the interior of this, one of the most beautiful Haifa hotels.
The inside story
The large bed actually is two comfortable beds pushed together, which is convenient for different sleeping arrangements. You’ll have a kettle in the room. Also available: a safe deposit box, newspapers, and room service.
Watch TV in the shared lounge area, and enjoy daily housekeeping. There’s an elevator, as in other high rise Haifa hotels.
Although accommodations for disabled guests may not meet mobility assistance standards, they should be adequate for those traveling with a helper.
Before booking
Opened in 2009, this is one of the Haifa hotels that is renovating rooms. Inquire about whether the room that you’re booking is near construction. Be aware that there is no onsite pool. No pets are allowed, as in many Haifa hotels. One child is welcome, with one additional bed allowed at extra cost. Non-smoking rooms are available, but entire floors are not non-smoking.
The rooms are spacious and clean with a smaller bathroom than some Haifa hotels. If you prefer a bath, request one upon booking. The center of the room features honeymooners’ delight, a sexy, glassed-in shower, but that may take other guests somewhat aback.
When you arrive
The drama at Haifa hotels begins before you hit the lobby. Parking spaces cannot be reserved. Unless you arrive early and are very lucky, you won’t be able to get a spot in the hotel’s small, free parking area.
That means that you’ll be paying for private parking off site or attempting to locate on-street parking. The upside of street parking around Haifa hotels is you’ll be up bright and early to move off the street and will work up an appetite hiking back for breakfast.
Highlights
Many Haifa hotels offer an Israeli style buffet breakfast and the ones at the Haifa Bay Hotel are large and tasty, especially on weekdays. Don’t count on taking breakfast to your room. Instead, there’s beautiful balcony seating overlooking the water. Consider the kosher Chinese restaurant for dinner dining.
After breakfast, you may wander about nearby, where you’ll find a shopping center, restaurants, taxis and public transportation. Close by are the Louie boardwalk and Metro access. Within a mile, you’ll find the Baha’i and Sculpture gardens, Madatech, the Haifa cinematheque and municipal theater.
Rather than being bored, you’ll be planning what to do on your next trip, as there’s too much for one visit. The Haifa Bay View Hotel will welcome you back.
Templers Boutique Hotel in Haifa: Historic and unique
If you’re looking for a place that’s not a rubber stamp of other Haifa hotels, the Templers Boutique Hotel is an excellent choice. Imaginatively renovated rooms in this historic, 1872 building are a unique departure from other Haifa hotels.
Surrounding the two sections of this hotel in the center of the German Colony are restful terrace and garden spaces. On the ground floor of one section is the Fatoush, an excellent restaurant where you’ll enjoy a full Israeli breakfast. Or, if you wish, you can choose the hotel’s kosher breakfast instead.
Often Haifa hotels have rooms that are similar in everything but size and location within the hotel. In Templers, each room is special, combining imaginative historic and modern features.
Of necessity, the small rooms creatively use space well. King beds are the center of attraction. You can book a room with a spa bath, kitchenette or a balcony overlooking the gardens below.
Bugaboos and cautions
Avoid booking a room over the busy free parking area behind the hotel, over the restaurant or near the reception or construction sites. Getting up at night may be hazardous negotiating platform beds and steps to the bathroom.
If noise bothers your sleep, bring earplugs for muffling “night crawler” activities. If you’re the shy type, get a room that doesn’t feature the glass-enclosed shower! On that note, let’s hit the beach!
Leonardo Plaza Haifa: Relaxing Seaside Location
“By the sea, by the beautiful sea” could be the theme for the Leonardo Plaza, one of the Haifa hotels on Carmel beach. Haifa hotels can have stunning sea views, and the Leonardo Plaza is a good example.
VIP treatment by staff will make your Haifa hotels stay fondly memorable.
Free is good!
At the Leonardo Plaza, you’ll enjoy a number of convenient free services. First, you’ll park for free. When you’re in the hotel, you’ll have free reign of the indoor pool with retractable roof and the gym’s torture machines.
That’s handy for those who want to work off the warm cheesecake, one of the unusual offerings at the amazing breakfast buffet. Include breakfast when you book, as it’s the best meal there.
The espresso will start your day off right and keep you going as you enjoy the beach, pool or head out to see the sights in Haifa.
When you’ve had enough exposure to the beach, a two-minute walk away, it’s time to stretch your legs. The Leonardo is one of the Haifa hotels close to public transportation, so you could walk to the Haf Carmel station.
If you choose to drive, you’re a short, 10-minute drive to other Haifa attractions. On some days, the Leonardo Plaza offers their hotel guests guided tours of Haifa or the German Colony, yet another free service.
The nitty-gritty
Leave your white gloves at home. Housekeepers at Haifa hotels on the beach, including the Leonardo Plaza, are challenged to keep sand and dust at bay. Windows in the high rise hotel are nearly impossible to keep clean.
For those who are sensitive to smoke, be aware that in this non-smoking hotel the staff has indoor places to smoke, which can travel to rooms through the ventilation system. Although the Leonardo hotel has good lifts, other accommodations are not available for the elderly.
We’ve examined the good elements and provided specific cautions for three Haifa hotels. Now you’re better informed and know what sets these top Haifa hotels apart from the rest. Enjoy your stay!