This spot belongs to those same dreams of a secluded, special, comfortable, well-equipped suite, right at the edge of the desert. There are no fences here, and the open horizon invites you to stroll. When your hosts designed and constructed this B&B vacation rental, they thought of every detail: the furniture, the authentic finishes, and even the development of the area around it, with complete respect for the natural desert. If you know how to identify quality in the desert quiet, you will enjoy it here, in ideal circumstances.
Location and ambience
The location - first line to the desert
Tzukim is one of the most beautiful tourist towns in Israel, and perhaps in the world. The desert-ecological construction in it makes the stay in it pleasant and special. This is a group of people who settled in the place and thanks to a lot of talent turned it into what it is today.
It's hard to break away from the tranquility that surrounds the Eretz Araba complex, but if you still want to, there are quite a few options open to you: a variety of hiking and field trips, antelope and crocodile farms, agricultural tours in organic gardens, workshops, galleries, and more. The hosts will be happy to give you more information, as well as about treatments performed on site.
Groceries can be purchased 10 minutes away. Those who want to pamper themselves can order breakfast for the suite, or eat at the restaurant, in the "Ert Arba" complex.
The complex includes a restaurant
The "Ert Arba" complex is located on the edge of the tourist area of the settlement, at the end of a dirt road, and that's a good thing: the suites and the restaurant are located right on the desert, when nothing obstructs the view between the suites and the nearby Hoadi, which floods in the winter (a must see!).
There are 4 double suites and one double suite - with 2 bedrooms that is suitable for two couples of friends. The suites are far enough from each other - so that the special feeling of privacy in front of the view is preserved. The restaurant is located on the top of the hill, with a spectacular panoramic view of the landscapes of the reserve, in a building decorated with arches and shards with an oriental Moroccan inspiration. Breakfast and dinner are served in the restaurant, by reservation. More details here.
There is a permanent staff here to serve the guests. It is important to note that there is no WIFI here.
The suites: in perfect privacy and with a heated wading pool
As mentioned, there are 4 double suites here (the main difference between the suites is in the division of the interior space, and the way in which they are exposed to the view) and another double, with 2 bedrooms. The investment in this special complex is also evident in the small details in the suites: the correct planning of the buildings, the consideration of privacy at every point on the one hand, and the perfect openness to the desert on the other, the choice of finishing materials and furniture - every detail here emphasizes the loyalty of the hosts both to the surrounding nature and to uncompromising quality.
The result: guests are given the opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary experience of staying in a special, natural and fine B&B, in a magical, quiet and calm landscape. The suites are surrounded by a beautiful Genesis landscape that has not been touched by human hands: to the west you can see Nahal Zufar and the cliffs of Nahal Ashush Reserve, a view of hills, valleys, acacia trees, desert vegetation and spectacular winter sunsets. With a bit of luck in winter you can also witness a beautiful flood in the nearby wide channel.
To the east and south is a small wadi, where a rich orchard of fruit trees and spice plants is planted, within terraces of local stone that rise and climb to the suites. Magical paths lead from place to place and it is a must to wander through them. In the complex of the Orchard Suite (the double suite) you will also find a neat and comfortable campfire corner with everything you need, including an arranged sitting area.
The suites, which incorporate local natural materials (a lot of stone and pebbles), are designed to blend in with the natural landscape and are open to it so that it penetrates into each of the rooms that make it up. Yes, also (and mainly) for the bathroom. Each of the double suites has a jacuzzi overlooking the view. In the double suite, the jacuzzi is in the spacious and beautiful bathroom, which is also open to the view.
The living room opens onto a balcony with a plunge pool (heated and covered) and a "deck" equipped with bunk mattresses, where you can look far into the spectacular desert landscape. It is not easy to choose where to stay here...
The balconies here are naturally shaded with palm fronds, and the shading continues along all the walls of the building so that the sun's rays in the summer do not hit and heat the outer walls. Inhale!
Colored glass stained glass in the ceiling, natural plaster, decorative niches in the walls and a clean and harmonious design make the feeling in the building very unique. A wood-burning fireplace will warm the heart and body in winter. An excellent and quiet air conditioner will make the hot hours pleasant. A well-equipped kitchen, healthy treats in and out of the fridge, and a fine entertainment system complete everything that is needed. A neat charcoal grill awaits right outside, for the fire lovers.
the hosts
After years of searches and thoughts, studies and preparations, the hosts, Defi and Oren, moved to live in Tzukim, a small touristic community settlement in the Arava, 75 minutes drive from Eilat. It happened in 2004.
They decided and managed to build here a quality place, special and full of character. The first suite was opened in the winter of 2012, and following it, additional suites were built, which make the original idea of a "desert boutique hotel" flesh and blood. Oren - who, in addition to being a builder at heart, is also an esteemed and experienced chef who serves culinary delights of his own hands.
In conclusion:
Perhaps the most prominent thing here, apart from the investment in high-quality construction, is actually the investment in sustainable development: the preservation of the natural values of the environment and the natural land surface by the hosts. The way of thinking and doing is full of respect for the environment, and perhaps this is precisely the big thing that distinguishes "Eretz Arava" from other places, and this is the thing that caused that primordial feeling of love, to arise from such a deep place inside me when I met such a place and a host.
You should know
- Amazing balconies with absolute privacy and a clean and panoramic view of the desert
- A stone plunge pool, heated in winter for each suite
- Sustainable area development
- Breakfast is served every day in the restaurant. Dinner on Thursdays only, by reservation.
- Accommodation in Eretz Arava is for children over 14 only.
- It is not possible to arrive with a bank account.
- There is no internet/WIFI in the complex.