Three luxury five-star hotels are set to be built on the edge of the Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert, in a joint initiative by the Africa Israel Hotels chain, the Geshem Group and the Almog Group.
The crater, a landform unique to Israel’s Negev and Egypt’s Sinai deserts, was formed as a large erosion cirque some 220 million years ago, when oceans covered the area.
Construction is expected to begin soon, with openings planned within up to five years. The development is expected to transform Mitzpe Ramon, a quiet desert town of fewer than 6,000 residents perched on the crater’s rim, into a popular tourist destination.
All three hotels will capitalize on the dramatic desert scenery, offering hotel rooms, family villas, restaurants, spas and other amenities.
VERT – Africa Israel’s luxury hotel
The VERT hotel, operated by Africa Israel Hotels, will be built on a plot of about 38 dunams (9.4 acres) and will include 260 rooms. Building rights cover roughly 70,000 square meters, including about 4,500 square meters for commercial space. In the first stage, 160 rooms will be constructed, comprising 60 VIP rooms and 100 standard rooms. A possible expansion of about 100 additional rooms will be considered later.
The hotel will stretch along the Shadows Trail, part of the Israel National Trail, making it an ideal starting point for hikes. The complex will feature swimming and ornamental pools, a luxury spa, an events and conference hall, an open-air amphitheater for performances, a business lounge, commercial areas, sports facilities and studio rooms.
“This is an exceptional location in the heart of the desert, enabling the chain to offer guests a winning hospitality experience that combines luxury, tranquility and breathtaking views,” Africa Israel Hotels CEO Sharon Alon said.
EDGE – Geshem Group’s hotel
The Geshem Group will build the EDGE hotel at the edge of the cliff overlooking the Ramon Crater, on a 45-dunam (11-acre) plot. In its first stage, the hotel will offer 142 rooms for a broad range of guests. A planned expansion will bring the total to 260 rooms, including 20 family villas and the rest double rooms. Some will be housed in two-story buildings: ground-floor rooms will feature private gardens and pools, while upper-floor rooms will offer rooftop pools and personal stargazing decks.
In addition, a row of private villas will be built for families seeking a luxury stay. The hotel’s public complex will feature a spacious spa of about 1,100 square meters, with treatment rooms, indoor pools and an infinity pool facing the crater’s views. Plans also include a 1,000-square-meter restaurant, a dining hall and a conference center. The project’s investment is estimated at roughly NIS 300 million ($87 million), and it has already received approval from the relevant planning committee.
Five-star hotel for Almog Group
The Almog Group will build another luxury hotel with 110 rooms in a varied mix. It will operate an outdoor restaurant and a 1,000-square-meter commercial frontage opening onto a scenic promenade. Plans also call for a conference hall, underground parking, and a large spa with an indoor pool and private pools overlooking an internal natural cliff. Some rooms will offer open views of the Ramon Crater.
Meanwhile, work is underway on Noga, a new neighborhood in the town that will allow for the construction of about 370 guest rooms and cabins alongside private homes. The local council’s goal is to reach around 1,500 guest rooms in total, a target expected to significantly enhance Mitzpe Ramon’s status as a major tourism destination.
“Mitzpe Ramon is joining the big leagues of tourism," Eliya Winter, head of the local council, said. "We are preparing for the day after the war, and we expect tourists from all over the world to come and experience high-quality desert tourism in Israel. Alongside the massive wave of construction and the expansion of the town, tourism is also racing forward. We expect to double the number of beds and put Mitzpe Ramon not only at the top of Israel’s tourism industry, but also on the global map. We have the most beautiful desert in the world.”
First published: 08:19, 08.12.25