ByDORON KUPERSTEINAUGUST 2, 2026 15:10There is something slightly sad about driving to the Kinneret.As you draw closer to the national lake, it is difficult to ignore the gap between the area’s immense potential and reality. For years, we grew accustomed to thinking that a Kinneret vacation meant mostly Tiberias and its immediate surroundings, along with a small number of spots around the lake, primarily among the kibbutzim on its shores. In tandem, however, the city that was once Israel’s tourism capital turned into a place struggling to fulfill its promise: Aging hotels, a promenade that has been undergoing renovations for years, and a tourism sector that fails to truly take off.Against this precise backdrop, it is almost surprising to discover that a new hotel has emerged in the northern part of the lake in recent years. Not in Tiberias, but near Capernaum, just a 15-minute drive away: A quieter, more open location, and above all, one that allows the Kinneret to be the main star.Yet the story of the David's Harp Galilee Resort does not begin with the view, but rather with the worst timing imaginable. The hotel opened about three years ago, right before the northern region entered one of the hardest periods it has ever known. Wars, evacuations, and the security situation forced it to open, close, resume operations, and pause once again. Only now, after a long period of uncertainty, does it finally seem able to begin the life originally planned for it."The idea was to build a hotel near one of the holiest places in the world for Christianity, Capernaum," says Itay Eshel, CEO of the David's Harp chain. "We were thinking first and foremost about incoming tourism. Fate willed it that during the first three years, almost no foreign tourists arrived here, so we decided to direct all our efforts toward the Israeli audience. When tourism returns, it will join the audience that has already discovered the place."The land on which the hotel was built belonged to the church in Capernaum and was purchased from it specifically for the project. Moving forward, the chain plans to expand its operations to Jerusalem as well, using a model similar to the one currently operating in the Galilee and in Netanya.The Sea of Galilee's blue waters stay with you from every angle. Standard room at David's Harp Galilee Resort (credit: Doron Kuperstein, Walla System)Not Loud. Simply BeautifulThere are hotels that attempt to impress from the very first moment using giant chandeliers, shiny marble, or a lobby that feels like a palace. David's Harp chooses a different path.At the lobby entrance, it may be hard to understand what all the excitement is about at first. But as you move further inside, you begin to grasp the concept. Dark basalt stones, natural materials, clean lines, smart architecture, and abundant natural light create the feeling that the entire structure grew out of the Galilean landscape rather than being dropped onto it.And then comes the moment when everything comes together. A massive glass wall, spanning all seven floors of the hotel, opens the entire front toward the Kinneret. This is not just another window with a view, but an architectural element that accompanies nearly every movement in the hotel. On the way to the room, going down to the pool, at breakfast, or on the way to the spa, the blue of the Kinneret simply remains before your eyes.Even if you happen to receive a room that does not face the lake, it is hard to escape the view. But if you are fortunate enough to get a west-facing room, the experience is entirely different.In our case, the curtains were drawn open before we even entered. Behind the glass wall, the Kinneret waited in all its glory: Unfiltered, unframed, and with nothing standing in the way. Like a massive painting someone hung at the edge of the room. It is the kind of moment that makes you stand in silence for a few minutes before you even open your suitcase.When that happens, you realize this hotel is not really selling just rooms. It is selling one of the most beautiful viewpoints overlooking the Kinneret.A breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee unfolds from every corner (credit: Doron Kuperstein, Walla System)A Weekend that Fills the Mind, Not Just the BatteriesUsually, when arriving at a hotel for the weekend, the schedule is fairly predictable: Breakfast, pool, perhaps a spa treatment, dinner, a bit more pool, and repeat.However, during the weekend we arrived at the hotel, the REWIRE retreat by the Screens community was taking place, and the feeling was that someone had decided to add a whole new layer to the vacation. Not just to rest, but to think. Not just to escape routine, but perhaps to understand why we are in such a rush to return to it.Instead of another weekend of lounging around, we found a packed program of lectures, workshops, and gatherings that touched on almost everything occupying us in daily life: How habits are formed, why change is so difficult, how body and mind influence each other, and what hidden mechanisms drive us far more than we think.One of the highlights was a session with cardiologist Dr. Nader Butto, who has worked for years on the connection between body, mind, and consciousness. In a personal and fascinating lecture, he explained how emotions, trauma, and life experiences impact our physical health as well.Later, Prof. Dan Ariely took the stage and managed to do what he does best: Take complex behavioral economics research and turn it into a light, funny, and insightful conversation. He spoke about the habits that run our lives, the reasons we keep returning to the same patterns, and what is truly required to generate lasting change.Talia Green Tytiun also captivated the audience with a lecture on the unconscious patterns governing our lives and the possibility of breaking free from them, blending personal stories, practical tools, and explanations of her work, which includes hypnosis.Yet perhaps the most beautiful aspect of the retreat was what happened between the lectures.Strangers found themselves continuing discussions over a cup of coffee facing the Kinneret, sharing experiences by the pool, or sitting together until the late hours of the night in the lobby. It felt as though the content did not remain in the hall, but continued to resonate throughout the entire hotel.On Friday evening, comedian Daniel Hen broke the seriousness with a witty performance in which he affectionately "settled accounts" with each speaker who had preceded him. The audience, having gotten to know the personalities throughout the day, erupted in laughter.On Friday night, the atmosphere shifted completely. The infinity pool, which from a certain angle appears to merge into the Kinneret, turned into an open-air dance floor as Skazi took the DJ booth and led a party that continued deep into the night. The combination of music, alcohol, the Galilean air, and the dark Kinneret in the background created a surprising ending to a weekend largely devoted to inner reflection.The perfect place to unwind. The Darya Spa at David's Harp Galilee Resort in Capernaum (credit: Harel Gilboa)The Weekend's Surprise Was in the SpaAfter all the lectures, conversations, and time at the pool, the moment comes when the body demands its due. The Darya Spa manages to achieve something not always easy to find in large hotels. It does not feel like an assembly line of treatments, but rather like a place that devotes genuine thought to the experience.The space is quiet, spacious, and pleasant, featuring 10 treatment rooms, saunas, and relaxation areas that complete the feeling that time moves a bit differently here.Ultimately, however, everything rises and falls on the therapist. In the north, especially after recent years, finding experienced professionals is not easy, and the hotel admits that significant effort was invested in recruiting the staff. In my case, it paid off. The massage I received was among the best I have experienced in recent years: Not one that merely strokes to pass the time, but a precise, professional treatment tailored to what the body actually needs. I walked out with the familiar feeling of a real vacation, the kind where you suddenly realize your shoulders were far more tense than you thought.The Food Delivers TooIn a hotel of this caliber, food is far more than just another meal. It is an integral part of the experience, and fortunately, it meets the standard the hotel sets for itself in other areas. Dinner offers a wide variety of dishes combining Israeli cuisine with Mediterranean touches: Fish, meats (the duck leg was a delicacy!), fresh salads, and surprising desserts, despite the kosher certification standard in domestic hotels.At breakfast, when coffee and traditional morning dishes are joined by the dreamy view of the Kinneret and the Golan Heights through the massive glass windows, your day looks great before it has even begun.Alongside the hotel restaurant, a lobby bar operates facing the pool, an excellent spot to pause for an afternoon coffee or a sunset cocktail as the lake is painted in shades of orange and gold.The glass wall that stretches across every floor of the hotel (credit: Doron Kuperstein)Not Just for CouplesDespite the quiet and luxurious atmosphere, David's Harp does not cater exclusively to couples. The hotel features 276 rooms, including suites and rooms with connecting doors for families, a children's pool, and a large playroom with separate areas for toddlers and older children. Daily activities for children are offered during the summer months. At the same time, an entire floor was set aside for couples only, complete with balcony hot tubs and open views of the Kinneret, ensuring everyone can find the vacation style that suits them.For those who wish to step out of the air conditioning and away from the pool for a few hours, Capernaum, countless nature sites, hiking trails, the Kinneret beaches, and an abundance of attractions in the Galilee and Golan Heights are just minutes away.An 800-seat amphitheater was also built on the grounds, having already hosted performances by Idan Raichel and Hatikva 6 in recent months. The intention is to turn it into a regional cultural hub featuring major shows that will eventually be integrated into overnight hotel packages. "The idea is that people won't come just to sleep here," CEO Eshel explains. "They will come for a complete experience of music, culinary arts, scenery, and content."This is also one of the reasons why it is hard to define David's Harp as just another hotel on the shores of the Kinneret. It is attempting to create a destination in its own right.The Goal: Bringing Tourism Back to the NorthAfter a weekend at the David's Harp Galilee Resort, it is easy to see that the story here is bigger than a new hotel. It is an attempt to put the North back on the tourism map, precisely after years in which the entire region seemed largely occupied with survival. The hotel does not rely solely on luxurious rooms or an impressive infinity pool. It leans on its greatest asset, the Kinneret, and gives it center stage from almost every point in the building.One can debate the design, the menu, or the type of vacation each person seeks. But it is difficult to argue with the feeling of leaving more relaxed than when you arrived. Perhaps that is exactly what the North needs right now: Not just another hotel, but a place that reminds Israelis why they fell in love with this region in the first place, marking the beginning of a new path for tourism in the North.How Much Does It Cost?• Couple on a bed-and-breakfast basis: Starting at NIS 1,790 per night.• Child in parents' room: Additional NIS 450 per night.• Couple and two children in two connecting rooms: Starting at NIS 3,180 per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis.The writer was a guest of the David's Harp Galilee Resort.Follow us on Google