Artist Colony Inn - an authentic bed and breakfast

Tucked away in the heart of the artist colony in Safed is the Artist Colony Inn, a bed and breakfast recently opened by Benay and Jeff Katz (North Americans in origin but both have been in Israel for a very long time). The Inn, which is an old Safed house that has been lovingly and exquisitely restored, contains four guest rooms. The public areas include a small lobby and several outdoor courtyards/patios. We stayed in the Avital room which is the most spacious and most expensive; the room's only downside is that it is right off the small lobby and so some lobby noise filters in. Next visit (and I do hope to visit again) I would probably opt for the Lianna room which is slightly less expensive but big enough to be comfortable. The other two rooms are nice but not as spacious.

Benay makes a delicious and plentiful breakfast that is served in the lobby. Overall, the inn has a relaxing and quiet feel which is reminiscent of small New England bed and breakfasts. It is tiny so that one cannot entirely avoid the innkeepers who live upstairs and are around most of the time (take note for those of you who don't like the feel of being in someone's house). But while both Benay and Jeff are friendly and happy to chat, they did not seem to mind my need to escape to my room for most of my stay there.

Artist Colony Inn - 9 Simtat Yud Zayin, Safed - 04-604-1101 - www.artcol.co.il