Eilat's BEST Hostel? Arava's Secrets Revealed!

Arava Hostel Eilat Israel

Eilat's BEST Hostel? Arava's Secrets Revealed!

Eilat's BEST Hostel? Arava's Secrets Revealed! - A Messy, Honest Review (and a Sneaky Offer!)

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to give you the real lowdown on Arava's Secrets Revealed! in Eilat. Forget those sterile, PR-approved reviews – this is the messy, truth-telling version. Because let's be honest, planning a trip is stressful enough without wondering if your hostel is going to be a petri dish or a death trap. So here we go, warts and all… or, well, mostly warts, because this place is actually pretty darn good.

Accessibility is Kinda My Thing (So Let's Start There):

Right, so, Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I've got some mobility issues, so a step up to the front door is a dealbreaker. Arava's Secrets Revealed! does its best, bless them. The elevator is a godsend, and they say they have facilities for disabled guests. I didn’t personally check every single room and toilet and entrance - I'm not that deep into detail. But, from what I could tell, they've made a solid effort. They have a few accessible rooms, so definitely call ahead and confirm. (Seriously, do it. Don't be like me and assume. Always call!) They're not perfect, accessibility-wise, but they try. And honestly, in a place like Eilat, where everything seems to be built on the edge of a cliff, that's already a win.

The Cleanliness Conspiracy (And My Obsession with Hand Sanitizer):

Alright, so the paranoia. My internal monologue on cleanliness goes something like this: "Is that a speck of dust? Is that mold? PLEASE tell me I'm not breathing in some super-bug!" Thank God for the constant hand sanitizer dispensers and the fact that professional-grade sanitizing services were clearly at work. They also boast Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I saw staff members actively wiping down surfaces. The Daily housekeeping was spot-on too. They also have Hygiene certification - all that sounds good, right? I felt pretty damn safe, which, in these crazy times, is priceless. They even offer the Room sanitization opt-out if you're into that eco-friendly thing (which, let's be real, is probably even MORE stressful because… germs). The only thing missing was a hazmat suit for yours truly. Just kidding… mostly.

Food, Glorious Food (And My Quest for the Perfect Breakfast):

Okay, let's talk dining, drinking, and snacking. This is where things get interesting. Arava's Secrets Revealed! ain't messing around with food.

• Breakfast? YES. Breakfast [buffet]? DOUBLE YES! I'm a sucker for a good buffet. They've got your Western breakfast basics, and from what I heard (I'm not a huge fan of foreign cuisine), they have Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant. The Breakfast takeaway service option is pretty handy if I'm in a rush to get out for a dive. (Which… I did! Many times). Though, I'm not sure I need Asian Cuisine. So let's keep it safe, and just have that buffer.
• Restaurants? They have one! The food was good! The Coffee/tea in restaurant was well-needed!! The Coffee shop was ok, It's nothing that special, but hey, Bottle of water was always there too. They also have a Poolside bar so you can get drinks and chill.
• Happy hour: Of course! I never missed it.
• Vegetarian restaurant that's great!
• Desserts in restaurant!! I always had dessert.
• Snack bar: Always needed!
• The A la carte in restaurant was decent!!
• The Salad in restaurant was great!
• The Soup in restaurant was great too!
• And you can find International cuisine in restaurant as well!

I think I ate everything on the menu… multiple times. My cholesterol is probably screaming, but WORTH IT.

Pools, Pampering, and (Maybe) a Sauna?:

Arava's Secrets Revealed! offers the usual suspects: Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], a Pool with a view. I dipped my toes and all was good!

Now, for the "relaxing" stuff. They have a Spa, they have a Spa/sauna and a Sauna. Plus services like Body scrub, Body wrap, and Massage. I didn't have time to try it, because I was too busy eating and diving..

The Room Rundown – My Sanctuary (Or My Prison?):

My room was… well, it was a room. It had Air conditioning, a Desk, a Mini bar, a Refrigerator, a TV, a Wi-Fi [free] (which, in all honesty, was pretty fast). They had your basic Bathrobes, Toiletries, Towels, a Hair dryer, and that all-important Coffee/tea maker. They even make sure you have things like Slippers and extra long bed! All pretty standard. I'm not going to lie – the complimentary tea was a lifesaver after a long day.

A personal note: I'm a sucker for Blackout curtains and Soundproof rooms. They have both!! Soundproofing! It meant I could sleep like a baby, blissfully oblivious to the chaos outside my door. And hey, the Alarm clock, Desk and the Reading light were all there!

Okay, here's the thing. It wasn't perfect. The walls weren't the thickest. You could hear the occasional noisy neighbour. But honestly? The positives far outweighed the minor gripes. My own imperfections make this place, so… perfect?

The Extras – Little Things That Make a Difference (and Slightly Annoy Me):

• Internet: Free Wi-Fi [free]! They deliver on this. Essential for a digital nomad like myself. (Or, you know, someone who needs to post Instagram stories.)
• Services and conveniences: Luggage storage is always appreciated. Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange are handy. They have Dry cleaning and Laundry service and Air conditioning in public area, which is a MUST in Eilat's heat.
• Getting Around: Car park [free of charge!] is a godsend in a city where parking is a competitive sport. They also offer Airport transfer, and Taxi service.

Things to Do - Besides Eating (Because Let's Be Real, That's the Main Thing):

Eilat is all about the Red Sea. Snorkeling, diving, swimming, sunbathing – the usual suspects. Arava's Secrets Revealed! can help you organize some of these activities, or you can just wander off and do your own thing. Things to do include:

• Fitness center and Gym/fitness: If you're the type who enjoys sweating, go for it!
• Daily housekeeping: It's really great!

The Not-So-Great Stuff (Because I'm Honest, Remember?):

• Smoking area? Yes. Sigh. I, like many, hate this.

The Verdict? (And That Persuasive Offer!):

Okay, so, Arava's Secrets Revealed! isn't flawless. But it's a solid, clean, well-located hostel with a crazy good breakfast and enough amenities to keep you happy. The staff are friendly, the vibe is relaxed, and I felt safe. It's a great base for exploring Eilat, and its imperfections make it even more charming.

Here's the pitch:

Tired of boring hotels with cookie-cutter experiences? Craving a slice of Eilat paradise, but don't want to spend a fortune? Then pack your bags and head to Arava's Secrets Revealed!

Book your stay NOW and get:

• 10% OFF your entire stay! (Use code: SECRET10 at checkout!)
• FREE upgrade to a room with a balcony! (Limited availability – first come, first served!)
• Unlimited access to the breakfast buffet (Seriously. Eat your heart out.)
• Fast Wifi Free (because your Instagram followers deserve that sunset photo)
• A guaranteed good time (or your money back!) (Just kidding… mostly.)

Don't wait! This offer won't last forever. Click the link below and unlock your Eilat adventure!

[Insert Link to Booking Page Here]

P.S. Tell them I sent you. Maybe they'll give you an extra banana for breakfast. 😉 Now go have an amazing time! And if you see a crazy person with a snorkel and a sandwich, that's probably me. Don't be

Escape to Paradise: Brenton Beach House Awaits in Knysna, South Africa

Book Now

Arava Hostel Eilat Israel

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Eilat adventure, starting at the legendary Arava Hostel. Forget perfect, curated travel Instagram posts. This is the REAL deal. Prepare for some glorious train-wreck energy.

Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Questionable Hummus

• 14:00 - Arrival at Arava Hostel - Eilat. Okay, so the bus ride from… well, let's just say somewhere else in the country was a sweaty odyssey of questionable driving and the constant, low hum of Hebrew chatter I barely understood. I arrived at Arava, practically vibrating from the journey, and promptly stumbled over a rogue sandal in the lobby. First impression? Charming chaos. The check-in was a blur of broken Hebrew and the overly enthusiastic smiles of the hostel staff. Seriously, did they ever sleep?
• 14:30 - Room Chaos. I'm in a dorm. Which, for those of you who know me, means instant anxiety. Sharing space with strangers is… a challenge. My assigned bed? Bottom bunk. Thank God. I'm too old and creaky for ladder shenanigans. I spent the next hour trying (and failing) to discreetly unpack, convinced everyone in the room was judging my travel-sized shampoo and selection of emergency snacks.
• 16:00 - Hummus Hunt. Okay, so I was starving. The bus food was a crime against sustenance. I ventured out, armed with a (slightly shaky) map and Google Translate, in pursuit of the best hummus Eilat had to offer. Ended up at a place called "Hummus King." (Original, I know.) The hummus? Fine. Edible, perhaps. But not the life-altering, transcendental experience I had envisioned. The pita bread? Dry as the Sahara. I almost cried.
• 18:00 - Hostel Orientation (aka The Social Olympics). This was where the real awkwardness began. The orientation involved introductions (I’m terrible at names), a list of tours (expensive!), and the dreaded "ice breaker" game where you had to find someone who'd eaten a scorpion. Seriously? I swear, every hostel staff member must have a degree in social engineering. I fled after the first round, claiming a sudden, urgent need to find the "Israeli chocolate" everyone kept raving about.
• 20:00 - Chocolate Obsession. Found the damn chocolate, finally! It's the "Elite" brand… it's a solid, no-frills chocolate bar but it was my only comfort food after the hummus horror. So glad I was in my room to eat them, because that evening the dorm-mates were very loudly planning a party.

Day 2: Beach Bonanza… and the Deepest Regret

• 09:00 - Beach Bliss (Kinda). Woke up feeling better, the chocolate binge providing the sweetest, most glorious sleep. Headed to the beach! The Red Sea? Stunning. Seriously, the water was crystal clear, the sky a perfect blue. I found a prime sunbathing spot, got my towel set up, and… promptly forgot my sunscreen. Because, of course. Within an hour, I was resembling a lobster. Lesson learned: Never underestimate the Israeli sun.
• 12:00 - Snorkeling Disaster. So, I signed up for a snorkeling trip. Sounded amazing! I envisioned myself gliding effortlessly through the coral, a graceful mermaid of the sea. Reality? I couldn't get the snorkel to work. It filled with water. I panicked. I choked. I swallowed half the ocean. It was a complete and utter disaster. The fish were laughing at me, I just know it.
• 14:00 - Regret and Rubbing Aloe Vera. After the snorkeling fiasco (and a quick trip to the pharmacy for aloe vera), I was sitting on my bed - red, miserable, and contemplating the existential dread of being bad at snorkeling. I ate some more chocolate. This was not the glamorous trip I thought it would be.
• 16:00 - "Local" Food Discovery. I stumbled upon a hidden little cafe off the main drag. The owner spoke (broken but enthusiastic) English. He recommended a shakshuka. And… it was the best shakshuka ever. Spicy, flavorful, with perfectly runny eggs. It was a taste of redemptive sunshine. A reminder that good things, even in the most chaotic of journeys, were still possible.
• 19:00 - Evening Debrief and Dormroom Drama. Back at the hostel. The party was in full swing. Music so loud my fillings vibrated. I hid in my room, trying to read a book (fat chance). One of my roommates (from Germany I think?) was trying to hook up with a guy from the UK and kept shouting. It was so loud, I could hear the whole conversation. I started daydreaming about the silence of my apartment and my poor cat.

Day 3: Desert Delirium and Farewell (and a Little Hope)

• 08:00 - Desert Tour Adventure! Okay, so I was still recovering from the sun and the psychological trauma of the snorkeling, but I’d signed up for a jeep tour of the Timna Valley. It was… intense. The desert was vast and beautiful… it was also hot. Like, REALLY hot. The jeep bounced around like a caffeinated kangaroo. But the scenery was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Pictures just don't do the desert justice.
• 12:00 - Copper Mines and Contemplation. We stopped at the ancient copper mines. They were eerie! A silent testament to history and human endeavor. A cool breeze blew through the canyons, and suddenly, I wasn’t just the clumsy tourist anymore. I felt something else, a sense of wonder.
• 14:00 - Unexpected Friendship. I found myself chatting with a woman from France on the tour. Not the superficial "where are you from?" kind of chat, but a real conversation. We talked about life, love, and the ridiculousness of over-packed suitcases. Turns out, we were both secretly terrified of the hostel chaos. And, suddenly, I didn't feel so alone.
• 16:00 - The Final Hummus Attempt. One last shot at hummus. This time, I found a tiny place, tucked away. The hummus was… magnificent. Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. It was a small victory.
• 18:00 - Farewell Dinner (and a surprisingly pleasant night). Packed my bags, feeling a strange mix of relief and sadness. Relief that I was escaping the dorm. Sadness that I'd be leaving the country. The French woman and I, plus a couple of other people from the hostel, had dinner together. The food was great, the company even better. We all laughed. The party noise died down, as the revelers had clearly had enough. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a complete disaster after all.

Day 4: Goodbye Eilat.

• 08:00 - Departure. I said goodbye to the girls and started my way to the bus station.
• 10:00 - Bus to Jerusalem. Feeling a mix of exhaustion and peace. I learned a lot. I ate some amazing food. I conquered the desert (mostly). I made some friends. And I survived the hostel, albeit slightly scarred. Travel is messy. It's chaotic. It's embarrassing. But it's also… alive. And despite the sunburn, the snorkeling humiliation, and the questionable hummus, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Next city? Jerusalem… I’m not feeling that bad. Lets hope for the best.

Escape to Paradise: Super 8 Delmont (PA) - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!

Book Now

Arava Hostel Eilat Israel

Arava's Secrets Revealed! (Because You *Need* to Know About This Hostel) – FAQs, Unfiltered.

Okay, spill it. Is Arava's Secrets Revealed! really the BEST hostel in Eilat? Seriously?!

Okay, deep breath. Best? That's a BIG word. But… yeah. Look, I've been to hostels. I've seen the good, the bad, and the "I-think-I-slept-in-a-closet-that-smelled-vaguely-of-feet" ugly. Arava's… Arava’s is different. It's got this... *vibe*. It's like walking into a giant hug that smells faintly of sea salt and freedom. I mean, the location alone is a win—close enough to the beach to hear the waves whisper you to sleep (okay, maybe not whisper, but you get the gist), and far enough from the main strip that you can actually *sleep*. And the staff? Absolute legends. I remember one night, I was ridiculously sunburnt and miserable (classic!), and this girl, Shira, she saw me and magically produced aloe vera and a smile that could melt glaciers. Savior. Absolutely. Savior. That already makes it top-tier in my book. No, seriously, it's a contender for best hostel. I am still not sure if I liked the dorms though, but the vibe is still great.

What kind of rooms do they have? And, uh, are the dorms *actually* bearable?

Alright, rooms. They've got the usual: dorms, private rooms. The dorms... Look, dorms are dorms. You know the drill: snoring symphony, the "mystery sock on the floor" situation, the constant battle for the best charging outlet. But! Arava’s wins by actually being *clean*. Like, proper, 'shoes-off-at-the-door' clean. I stayed in a dorm. And look, I'm not going to say it was the *best* sleep of my life, but it was way better than I expected. Plus, the lockers are decent-sized, which is crucial if you're a pack rat like me. The private rooms… I didn't *actually* sleep in one (because, budget travel), but I peeked in. Looked comfy. Did I secretly judge everyone in there? Maybe. But the dorms were definitely fine.

Is there a kitchen? (Because, budget eating, you know?)

Yes! A Kitchen! Thank the travel gods! It's a pretty well-equipped kitchen, too. Fridge, stove, microwave, all that jazz. And it seems like people there are pretty good about sharing stuff. I mean, I left my peanut butter in the fridge there for like 3 days, and it was still there. True story. Moral of the story: trust in the hostel kitchen karma. Though, maybe bring a can opener... just in case.

What about social stuff? Is it a good place to meet people?

Absolutely. The *vibe*, remember? It's all about community. They do movie nights outside, and they have a common area with a pool table. I met the coolest people there, seriously. But here's a little confession: I'm a bit of an introvert. I was totally intimidated at first. But I managed to strike up a conversation with a guy from Germany over a slightly burnt breakfast (my fault, I swear!). We ended up going snorkelling together and, honestly, it was one of the highlights of my trip. So, even if you're shy, you'll probably find your tribe. The staff really do create a social atmosphere.

What's the BEST thing about Arava's? The absolute *BEST*?

Okay, this is where I get a bit *melodramatic* (sorry, not sorry). The best thing? The *people*. The genuine, salt-of-the-earth, travel-loving bunch of humans who make this place what it is. I met people from all over the world, shared stories, laughed until my sides ached, and made memories that I'll cherish forever. And seriously, if you don't leave with at least one new friend, you're doing it wrong. That's it! That's the whole shebang. I will always remember the time when me and my new friend from Denmark were on the beach during sunset, and as the sun was setting, the hostel staff actually started playing the music, and everyone was smiling, and we were just basking in the moment. Good times. *Good. Times.*

Anything I should be aware of before booking? Any downsides? (Be honest!)

Okay, honesty hour. The location is great for escaping the craziness, but it also means you might have to walk a bit if you want to be in the thick of things. (But honestly, the walk is pleasant!). Sometimes, the Wi-Fi can be a bit… temperamental. And, like any hostel, you're at the mercy of other people's noise levels (earplugs are your friend). The dorms... Well, as I said before, dorms are dorms. And there's always *that* guy who hogs the bathroom. But honestly? Minor quibbles.

How about the price? Budget-friendly? Because, well, I'm on a budget.

Yeah, it's definitely on the budget-friendly side, especially compared to hotels in Eilat. It's a really good value for what you get. You can always get good deals on Eilat's hostels if you are looking for something cheap. Check some websites and look at the prices.

What if I have special needs or concerns that I have to check with?

I'm not the best person to answer the question. But, I know that there are wheelchair options for the rooms, and they do have options for people with disabilities. I'm not an expert on this topic, so it is best if the guest checks it by themselves. The hostel staff are friendly, so feel free to contact them.

Would you stay there again? Seriously?

100% YES. Without a doubt, I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm already mentally planning my return. Arava's isn't just a hostel, it's a place that makes you feel at home. It's where you'll meet amazing people, experience the magic of Eilat, and maybe, just maybe, discover a little bit more about yourself along the way. And for me? That's priceless.

Hotel Hop Now

Arava Hostel Eilat Israel

Arava Hostel Eilat Israel

Location:

Share :