There is a certain moment when driving south where everything changes. The road empties completely, billboards disappear, and the landscape turns into a combination of sand, mountains, and skies stretching endlessly. You’ve already passed Beersheba, the last factories, the large gas stations – and suddenly it’s only the desert, in all its shades. Heat, yellow, red – changing every few kilometers. Suddenly, the phone starts losing signal, and the music on the radio feels a little unnecessary. There is something about this drive that prepares you for the place you are arriving at – the desert is not something you just see through a window, it’s something that begins to seep inside. The mind clears, thoughts settle, and time seems to slow down.
Kibbutz Lotan appears without much warning. There is no large sign, but there is a quiet turn off the road, a few houses scattered among the trees, and an atmosphere of a place that isn’t really trying to make much noise. It is one of the smaller kibbutzim in the southern Arava, which has managed to preserve its quiet and ecological character despite the challenging surroundings.
Lotan Travelers’ Lodge is located within this kibbutz, and it feels like a natural part of the place. It is not a hotel in the conventional sense; there is no lobby with a shiny reception, instead there is a kind of improvised food truck serving as a mini-reception. There are no lobbies with sofas or high ceilings. Instead, there is nature – and lots of it. There is a well-organized area that seems as if it has always been there, with vegetation blending with the paths. Rooms are scattered throughout – it feels more like a small community that opened its doors, rather than a commercial tourist business.
A Room that Speaks Desert
When you enter a room, the first thing that catches the eye is the mud walls. Not ordinary plaster – artistic mud plaster done by hand, with warm tones of sand and clay that seem to have grown from the desert itself. This gives the room a feeling of being built in harmony with the surroundings, not in opposition to them.
The hotel has 52 rooms in total – 21 family rooms suitable for a couple and two children, four larger rooms that can accommodate a couple and three children, and one accessible apartment for a large family with up to four children.
The room is average in size, seemingly simple in design, but very comfortable. There is a kitchenette equipped with everything needed – microwave, kettle, refrigerator, and a coffee corner. It may not sound special, but in practice, it completely changes the stay experience. Instead of depending on hotel meals or going out to find a restaurant, you can simply make tea in the evening, store fruits in the fridge, and feel a little at home. There is also a TV and Wi-Fi, but the truth? They are hardly necessary. The moment you step out of the room into the open space, the phone slips into your pocket, and the screen becomes irrelevant.
What is truly valuable are the corners scattered throughout the lodge – designed mud benches, shaded seating areas, and open views in every direction. At sunset, when the sun sets behind the Red Mountains, the light changes every minute. It is like watching a painting being updated in real time. In this perfect and endless landscape, yoga workshops are held that open both body and soul.
The Desert as a Playground
The lodge is especially suitable for families, couples, and groups looking for team-building or just a shared vacation. Within the kibbutz there are soccer and basketball fields, various sports facilities, and during the hot season – a swimming pool. But the real attraction is the "Eco-Kef" park – an ecological park that has become a kind of attraction in its own right.
This park is colorful, photogenic, and full of activity options suitable for all ages. There are mud workshops where you can really get dirty (and it’s fantastic), creative activities, and ecological attractions that explain desert life in a practical and fun way. It’s the place where children can run freely, discover interesting corners, and return dirty and happy.
The lodge staff can also help plan trips in the area – and there is plenty to do. Timna Park, with Solomon’s Pillars and its colorful rocks, is very close, and there are many trails, wadis, and special places worth discovering.
Breakfast with a Soul
The lodge’s breakfast is served at the Eco-Bar, in the center of the kibbutz’s ecological area. It is not a huge buffet with dozens of stations, but something more modest and authentic – yet rich and surprising. At the buffet you will find fresh bread, local cheeses, various salads, and other fresh produce from the region. There is something pleasant about this simplicity – you don’t need to choose between 15 types of cheese or stand in line for pancakes. You simply sit, eat, and enjoy. The hotel also has a Vegan Friendly certification, so vegans can find suitable food here too.
If arriving in a group and arranging in advance, it is possible to order a "poika" meal – a culinary experience around a campfire, with local flavors and a warm atmosphere.
Who is it for?
Lotan Travelers’ Lodge is not a place for luxury or excessive pampering. There is no spa, no room service, and no cocktail bar with dim lighting. But if you are looking for a place to disconnect, slow down, and be in touch with nature – this is exactly the right place.
It is especially suitable for families seeking a simple and authentic experience, couples looking for peace and quiet, and groups wanting to meet in a place that feels a little outside of time. And the fact that you can come with your dog? That’s a big bonus for those who don’t want to leave their four-legged friend at home.
Ultimately, what makes Lotan special is not necessarily the rooms or meals – but the place itself. The desert, the silence, and the feeling that time has paused for a moment. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed.
What to do around?
One of Lotan’s biggest advantages is its location. The lodge is right in the center of the southern Arava, from where you can reach various special places worth planning time for.
Timna Park – probably the most famous attraction in the area, and rightly so. It is an amazing colorful valley with rocks in shades of red, purple, and yellow, that look as if they were painted. Here are the famous Solomon’s Pillars – natural rock formations resembling human-carved columns; rock arches; and ancient copper mine remnants. You can easily spend half a day here, and it’s best to arrive near sunset, when the light is most beautiful.
Neot Smadar Artists’ Center – if you love art, this is a must-visit. The Artists’ Center, located in the heart of the Negev, is a unique example of combining art, nature, and sustainability. The center hosts artists working in sculpture, painting, ceramics, and jewelry, and offers open workshops for visitors and personal creative experiences. The village recently received global recognition as a “Best Tourism Village 2025” by the UNWTO for its contribution to sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and community innovation. Visiting Neot Smadar allows you to experience a fascinating combination of local creation, stunning desert landscape, and environmentally responsible approaches, making it an empowering and inspiring destination for all ages.
Yotvata Inn – a warm and welcoming stop for desert travelers. The inn combines rural hospitality with a restaurant offering authentic local cuisine, agricultural products from the Negev, and traditional dishes connecting culture with the desert. Visitors can relax in the unique lobby, enjoy handmade products, and stay updated on local activities and area trips. Yotvata Inn also serves as an information center for desert experiences, providing a pleasant connection between leisure, culture, and desert lifestyle, making it an inviting experiential hub for any desert traveler.
Five Senses Greenhouse in Elifaz – a special sensory experience, ideal for families with children. Aromatic plants, spices, and vegetables grow here, and the entire visit is built around a tactile, olfactory, and taste experience. Children can touch, smell, taste, and learn about what grows in the desert. It is something completely different from a regular trip, and mainly an experience that truly connects with nature.
Yotvata Wildlife Reserve – nature and animal lovers can visit the wildlife reserve in the southern Negev. A unique nature reserve dedicated to preserving and reintroducing desert wildlife species. The reserve was founded to reintroduce species that disappeared from the Negev, such as ibex and antelopes, and to preserve the desert ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, wildlife observation, and educational experiences emphasizing the importance of preserving desert nature. The place serves as a living example of how wildlife conservation and habitat restoration can combine with education and enjoyment, giving visitors a unique and close connection to the desert environment.