Ramon Suites by Smart Hotels

This is one of the accommodations which has sprung up in the small town close to the Mitspe Ramon Crater. It is comfortable and well-designed, with a series of apartments in a block, with a common outside space where you can sunbathe, play games or take a drink from the outside bar. Our apartment was huge, and could easily have slept seven people. There was a feeling of space and comfort (double aspect windows), apart from the bathroom which was pokey and not really adequate for the five of us living there. Not sure if this was intended to be self-catering, but there was not enough kitchen equipment for this to be possible. The buffet breakfast was excellent and contained a wide variety of foods, different each day. Buffet dinner also looked good, but, at £30 UK, was, in my opinion, overpriced. Big indoor pool gave relief after a walk in the crater or a long bus ride. Staff were magnificent - friendly and helpful. A number of things did not quite work and needed fixing eg swimming pool tiles, light switches. However, all-in-all, a good place to stay at a reasonable price.

We were not impressed with the accommodation here. We stayed in the family suite. The main bedroom in the family suite was tiny. We couldn’t use the cupboard at the same time as walking around the bed. The cupboard was also wobbly and the desk doors were broken, the bathroom was even tinier with nowhere to put our stuff. The mirror was to chest height only. There was nowhere at all to put wet clothes. No pegs for jackets. A set of 4 little hooks in the bathroom to hang towels and that’s it. The bathroom cabinet was broken and screwed shut. The toilet was tiny too. There was only one socket next to the bed for the light, so if you wanted to charge your phone, you couldn’t use the bedside light. Every time we wanted to use the pool (during their advertised hours) it was closed. A different excuse each time. The rooms were clean at least.

We didn't get even one minute of rest. Our room, like half the rooms in the place, is above small football field which meant shouting and screaming of children under our window all weekend long. (the other half is facing a parking lot) Need to mention that the hotel has 3 floors and no elevators, so if you get a 3rd floor room like us it means going up and down the stairs all the time. Also, nothing luxuries about it even we paid 800 NIS per night – everything is cheap, dirty and unorganized. Slow and unprofessional service (had to wait an hour and call twice when our TV wasn't working, for example). Not even a water bottle in the room. Bed in a small bunk. Just go elsewhere.

This hotel is within easy walking distance of the crater viewpoints. It has an unusual design, with separate entrances for each hallway. There are a lot of stairs, but I requested a ground floor room and it was no problem. The dining room serves generous amounts of delicious food. The staff is very warm and helpful, especially Ruth, who took extra care to help us. We enjoyed our stay!

I am from the UK. Travelled solo. Here in April 2023 for two nights as part of a three week trip to Israel. Mix of budget, mid range and top end accommodation, with a rental car in between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I had this down as mid range when booking. When I booked this, based on previous reviews and researching it etc, I was expecting fairly budget rooms and swimming pool, but a bar and restaurant I could chill out in at night. It turned out I sort of got this the wrong way round. After looking at Street View at home, on arrival outside was as expected. Looks more like a housing block than hotel. This part of Mitzpe Ramon also a little rough around the edges. Lobby OK. However, once checked in, very pleasantly surprised. Rooms are in apartment blocks, marble type staircases and lifts. The rooms themselves are nothing short of five star. At least the one I got was. I may have booked a grade above standard can't remember. Big room, big seperate En Suite with shower and separate jacuzzi bath, toiletries bath robes flat screen, everything. Plus the pool is outdoors but in a glass building with a nice grassy area around it. So far looking like a steal at this price. That's the plus. Now onto the not so plus. The second night I was there was Shabbat eve. I had planned to eat out one night and stay in the other. Not and endless choice of places close by in ot Ramon anyway. So thought I would eat in the Friday. Just checked at reception to make sure bar and restaurant were open. Which was the point they told me they don't have a bar. Gulp. OK but I can get a beer from the restaurant? Not really. Was shown the soft drinks fridge in the lobby, where, along with all the coke and water and so, nestled two (different) bottles of beer. In terms of eating, all the restaurant did was a buffet (every day not just Shabbat). I was advised to go out. Which I did! And had a nice meal and beers at HaHavit. The second night however, after hiking Avdat National Park in the morning and doing an Adam Sela private jeep tour of the crater (I was told off for calling it the 'Crater' because it's not one), I was too tired to walk 15 minutes around the deserted streets of Mitzpe Ramon to wherever was open. So insisted on staying in. In summary, the same two beers were still in the drinks fridge, but they aren't now because I drank them, out on the terrace, I couldn't order a glass of wine because you can only order a bottle, and white which I wanted was only available in (unchilled) full bottles, not halfs. This was fixed by giving it to me in a plastic bag full of ice. I had the buffet, which was average. I did ask whether the strange sort of lack of drinks service was for religious reasons, but seemingly not. However clearly not a huge call for it. This was perhaps borne out by the other guests while I stayed there. The first day was dominated by a school group of Israeli teens, the second by Israeli seniors who, after dinner, gave 30 minutes singing in t

Despite its lovely location this hotel is badly run. The lower level staff were all really lovely and kind but there is no service from the managers. I’ve been lied to twice during our stay and it is just outrageous that they treat customers this way. Managers cannot care less about customer service as I guess it’s a chain and not their own business.

The staff, especially the manager, Ahmad, is excellent and helpful. We were a large group and they accommodated us beautifully, going above and beyond to make sure we had what we needed. The rooms were spotless and well-appointed and the buffets at breakfast and dinner were generous and fresh. The kids enjoyed the well-maintained pool and courtyard area. There is a rooftop terrace on tower 5 with very good star-gazing, or walk a short way on paved paths to the rim of Ramon Crater for an unforgettable experience. Note: towers 1-4 do not have elevators, making the hotel challenging from an accessibility standpoint.

It is not a fancy hotel, but it is located well - minute walk from the center and the walk on the cliff. It is clean, got air condition and beds are comfortable. The showers are great. It has cable TV and a small kitchen with a fridge. The staff were very friendly. The breakfast was very good considering it is not a fancy hotel, but it was very good. Overall it is a great place to stay - not fancy but a great value for money. For children, there are nothing to do, but TV, but this is not a place to come for a relaxing time.

One block from the crater promenade. Terrific breakfast, great, friendly service. Rooms 513 and 514 have delightful balconies and building 5 is the most modern with an elevator, so no dragging suitcases up stairs ! The roof in building 5 is a delight with a great view !