Sofia Hotel Sea of Galilee

The food was fresh, with plenty of choices, and housekeeping was consistent throughout our stay. The atmosphere felt welcoming and relaxed, good for business or leisure. There’s kosher food, a synagogue on the premises, a SPA, and a Turkish Hamam. Great vacation. I had an excellent experience at Sofia hotel. The room was spotless, comfortable, and well maintained. Staff were friendly, attentive, and always willing to help. The location is great, close to the beach, restaurants, and shops. I’ll definitely stay again and recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

The shower was our main disappointment. We had an accessible room with a wheelchair-friendly shower, seat, and curtain instead of glass. It was uncomfortable, and the whole bathroom got wet. No one told us this would be the setup. We were there for one night, so let it slide, but it was disappointing. We came for a family vacation and booked three rooms. I hadn't heard of the hotel before, and was amazed by how beautiful it was. The hotel was new and clean, with a great view, lovely rooftop and infinity pool, and free parking, which is very rare. The safety wall by the pool does need cleaning. Staff were very nice, and there was a water cooler by the pool plus water in the lobby. The meals were great, tasty, and had variety. At dinner the chef kindly made the steaks in the size we asked for, which is rare in hotels. It was calm and not crowded even in high season, and we could find seats by the pool. I can't remember the last time that happened in Israel. It's not close to the promenade, though there's not much to do there anyway, and restaurants are a few minutes' walk away. Pool towels and the pool area could use better upkeep. In the afternoon it was hard to find towels, and old towels left on empty seats made it hard to tell if they were taken. Staff could check after guests leave and clear the available seats. For our family, it was perfect for relaxing, and we didn't need anything else.

The infinity pool was stunning, though it would have been nice to have more shade there and on the gorgeous rooftop. We also had a really good massage at the spa, but the relaxation area could be better. It was hard to unwind before and after the massage with the receptionist seated nearby, sometimes using the loudspeaker. We had a great stay at the Sofia Hotel in Tiberias. Our room, 608, was modern and super clean, with what might be the sleekest shower I've seen in a hotel. The modern lights were really cool, and the view was beautiful. Thank you, Aliza! Both breakfast and dinner were excellent, fresh, and tasty. A great experience, and we'd happily come back.

I found signs of bed bugs in my room at Hotel Sofia and have photo evidence. When I reported it to reception, they didn't offer immediate help and told me to contact management instead. My request for a refund was also refused. I find this completely unacceptable. A room with bed bugs is unfit for guests and falls below basic hospitality standards. I strongly advise future travelers to think again before booking.