Eilat Vacation Apartment or Hotel: What's the Difference and Which Suits You?

4 hours ago

5 min read

In short: Apartment or hotel in Eilat? An apartment gives you space, a kitchenette and privacy, while a hotel gives you a front desk, breakfast and daily service. For families and stays of a few nights, an apartment is usually more comfortable. City Apartments Eilat has 9 apartments from 16 to 60 sqm, for up to 5 guests, 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the promenade.

It's evening, three hungry kids, and a dad looking for somewhere to put the baby's bottle. In a hotel that means going down to the lobby or waiting for room service. In an apartment it means opening the fridge. Both are perfectly valid, the question is which one fits you.

What is the difference between a vacation apartment and a hotel in Eilat?

The main difference is space and independence versus ready-made service and convenience. A vacation apartment is a unit with its own kitchenette and living area, while a hotel is a room with hotel services around it. There is no single right answer for everyone, so it helps to compare by the criteria that matter to you.

Space: A hotel room is usually one room. An apartment usually has a separate bedroom and living room, and ours range from 16 to 60 sqm.
Kitchen: An apartment has a kitchenette with a fridge, stovetop, kettle, microwave and kitchenware. A hotel room usually has just a minibar.
Privacy: In an apartment you have your own door, with no crowded corridor and no waiting for the elevator. A hotel has more guests and crowds around you.
Reception: A hotel has a front desk and staff. With us, check-in is self-service with a personal code, and if anything goes wrong you can call or send a WhatsApp message to 08-6338361. The Palmore complex has a lobby open 24/7.
Cleaning: Hotels usually clean every day. With us, housekeeping is done every Wednesday of an occupied stay.
Breakfast: A hotel serves breakfast. We have no breakfast service, but there is a kitchenette where you can make your own.
Price for a family: In a hotel a large family sometimes needs two rooms. One apartment for 5 guests often works out better value, especially for a stay of a few nights.

Living room and bedroom in a family vacation apartment with a kitchenette and air conditioning

Apartment or hotel in Eilat: which suits you?

The simple way to decide is to ask how you want to live on vacation. Here is a short list.

Choose an apartment if:

You are a family with children and want a separate bedroom and living room.
You are staying three nights or more and want to prepare light meals.
You need quiet sleeping hours for the kids, with the living room not doubling as the bedroom.
You are traveling with friends or grandparents and want a shared space.

Choose a hotel if:

You want a ready-made breakfast without lifting a finger.
Daily service, a staffed front desk and large hotel facilities matter to you.
You are staying a night or two and don't plan to cook at all.

Local tip: If you can't decide, count how many meals you will eat in the room. Breakfast and something light in the evening in a kitchenette save a lot, especially for a big family.

What is an apartment hotel in Eilat, and is it the same thing?

An apartment hotel is a hybrid: units with a kitchenette, but with the structure and service of a hotel. A vacation apartment is more private, without full hotel services. When you search for an apartment hotel in Eilat, check what is actually included: reception, daily cleaning, breakfast and facilities.

With us the picture is simple. We are vacation apartments, not a hotel. There is no breakfast, check-in is self-service, and cleaning is every Wednesday. The trade-off is freedom, quiet and space.

Can I choose an apartment instead of a hotel in Eilat?

Yes, and it usually works very well, but it is important to know what you won't get. Whether with us or with other apartments in the city, check the location and the service before you book.

An honest answer: none of our apartments is on the beachfront and none has a sea view. We are in the hotel area in central Eilat, behind the Club Hotel, 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the promenade, the North Beach and the mall by the water. In summer it is also worth looking at the Eilat weather forecast, because air conditioning matters for sleep.

For more on the location: vacation apartments in Eilat near the promenade. And if a good morning meal matters to you, see breakfast in Eilat near the promenade.

A family with children strolling along the Eilat promenade in the late afternoon

Family vacation in Eilat: which is better value?

On a family holiday in Eilat, an apartment usually wins because of the space. Parents can sit in the living room while the kids sleep, without hiding on the balcony to talk. A kitchenette also helps with bottles, snacks and a slice of bread for the child who refuses to eat out.

If you are arriving with a baby, you can request a crib for an extra charge, subject to availability. And if your children are of different ages, you will find ideas in things to do in Eilat with kids.

Save money: Booking directly on cityeilat.com gives you an automatic 5% discount, with no code and no forms.

Eilat is a resort city with a wide range of places to stay, and you can read about it on the Eilat tourism site and on Wikipedia.

City Apartments Eilat: what we offer, in numbers

City Apartments Eilat has operated since 2013 and has more than 4,500 guest reviews across all its properties. All 9 apartments include a kitchenette, air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, linens and towels. See all the apartments on the apartments page.

Studio #1: about 18 sqm, up to 4 guests, Tzofit 6, no balcony.
One-bedroom apartment #2: 28 sqm, up to 5 guests, Tzofit 6.
One-bedroom apartment #3: 33 sqm, up to 5 guests, Tzofit 6.
Garden suites #7 and #8: about 37 and about 32 sqm, up to 5 guests, a private garden for suite guests only, Nevi'im 23. See Garden Suite #7.
Suite #9: 32 sqm, bedroom and living room, up to 5 guests, Nevi'im 23.
Balcony studios #10 and #11: 16 and 22 sqm, up to 3 and up to 4 guests, a balcony with a city view, Nevi'im 23.
[Palmore Suite #15](https://www.cityeilat.com/palmore15?lang=en): about 60 sqm, up to 5 guests, a huge balcony, Topaz 3. The Palmore complex has a pool, a gym and a 24/7 lobby with a front desk. No other apartment has a pool.

Free public parking is next to the entrance. Nevi'im 23 also has free private parking, subject to availability. Entry is with a personal code sent on the morning of arrival. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00.

The Eilat promenade at sunset, a five-minute walk from the apartments

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a vacation apartment and a hotel in Eilat?

A vacation apartment gives you space, a kitchenette and privacy, while a hotel gives you a front desk, daily cleaning and breakfast. The choice depends on the size of your family, the length of your stay and how much you want to prepare yourselves.

Is breakfast available in your apartments?

No, there is no breakfast service. Every apartment has a kitchenette with a fridge, stovetop, kettle and microwave, and there are places to have breakfast near the promenade.

Are your apartments on the beach or with a sea view?

No. We have no apartment on the beachfront or with a sea view. We are in the hotel area in central Eilat, 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the promenade and the North Beach.

How often is the apartment cleaned?

Housekeeping is done every Wednesday of an occupied stay. You can also keep the apartment clean yourselves, since there is a kitchenette and basic cleaning supplies.