It’s one of life’s ironies that I discovered the true essence of the Dan Eilat Hotel on what turned out to be one of the most difficult days in Israel’s history.
I arrived for a brief getaway on June 12, invited by the Dan Hotels chain to see what they’d been working on in recent months, only to be grounded that same night by the sudden onset of war, as airports closed and public transport shut down.
What was meant to be a short stay turned into an unexpected refuge, where the staff offered more than a room; they offered sanctuary. They extended my stay free of charge, including full access to the VIP Lounge, with drinks and refreshments served all day, and covered every meal.
More than that, they went out of their way to help me find a ride home. That experience revealed something essential: the Dan’s luxury lies not only in its design and amenities, but also in its unshakable commitment to guest care.
Perched on Eilat’s northern shore, the Dan Eilat has earned a place on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the top 10 hotels in the Middle East and Africa, ranking seventh and standing as the only Israeli property on the list.
Dan Eilat is a feast for the senses
Originally designed by world-renowned hospitality designer Adam Tihany, the hotel is now undergoing a sweeping redesign under his continued vision, one that preserves its vibrant identity: cascading waterfalls, bright corridors, and bold, open spaces that form a contemporary desert oasis.
This is also a gastronomic destination. Whether it’s the lavish Israeli-style breakfast, often praised as the best in the country, or refined international cuisine, the Dan’s dining options rival the finest in Eilat.
With multiple on-site restaurants, inventive presentations, and bright Mediterranean flavors, every meal becomes a feast for the senses.
The hotel offers 363 guest accommodations, including deluxe rooms, family suites, and private-jacuzzi balconies, many with uninterrupted views of the Red Sea. Comfort here is never separate from elegance.
Its leisure facilities are well known: two outdoor pools, one energetic with slides, currents, and a river flow, the other serene for unwinding, plus a Jacuzzi and direct access to a private, palm-lined beach on a wooden deck. For younger guests, the Danyland supervised play center has long been a family favorite.
But this summer, the hotel unveiled a series of new offerings that quietly elevate the guest experience. Most striking is the opening of the JAH Spa, a 700-square-meter, two-story wellness complex.
Inside, the new wellness complex is a sanctuary of rejuvenation and beauty, a magnificent and luxurious space designed to soothe the senses. Its seven treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite with a Jacuzzi, offer everything from classic Swedish and deep-tissue massages to Ayurvedic, hot-stone, and Korean head treatments.
The signature “Desert Touch” blends Swedish techniques with bamboo sticks and Shiva Lingam stones, while premium products from Molton Brown and Dermalogica underscore the attention to detail.
The facilities include a salt-stone dry sauna, a cold room, a Turkish hammam, a full-service beauty and aesthetics suite, waxing, lashes, manicures, and a hair salon.
The wellness philosophy extends outdoors, too. A new VIP area, Cactus Deck & Cabanas, adds a layer of relaxed luxury beside the pool, where air-conditioned private cabanas offer a shaded hideaway with lounge seating and personalized service.
Guests of suites and terrace rooms receive complimentary refreshments, fruit baskets, and unlimited drinks, including beer and wine, making it a quiet escape from the bustle without ever leaving the heart of the hotel.
For families, the new LEGO Playroom is a standout. This colorful, purpose-built space invites kids to build, imagine, and play with thousands of LEGO bricks, divided by age group for a better experience.
Just next door, the new GAMEDOM is a sleek, screen-filled haven equipped with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and ergonomic gaming chairs. It’s a thoughtful touch: creative freedom for kids, peace of mind for parents.
Come evening, the hotel transforms again, as a new audiovisual installation brings the lobby’s natural rock formations to life. The light-and-sound show, projected hourly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., becomes a quiet ritual, a moment of reflection, rhythm, and beauty as the desert heat softens and the sea grows still.
The upgraded fitness center rounds out the refresh, now equipped with modern equipment for cardio, strength, and functional training, designed with both serious routines and casual travelers in mind.
While I cherished every poolside sunset and spa treatment, what truly resonated was how the Dan Hotel lives its values. In my moment of crisis, the staff provided guidance, care, and emotional support that made me feel seen and protected.
This commitment, woven through every new feature and every longstanding tradition, reveals a place defined not merely by its architecture or views, but by the warmth and dedication of its hospitality.
The writer was a guest of the Dan Hotel Chain.