Desert Shade Eco-Camp

amazing landscape, friendly staff and clean place

This place is great. If you thought about going to Beresheet and then thought about how you didn't want to spend $1000 a night, this is an amazing option! It's literally the same view for 1/13th the price. It's definitely glamping though, so expect an adventure.

Very good. Like the camping environment and lovely views.

Keep in mind this is an Eco-Camp so set your expectations. That said, I was quite pleased that the actual accommodations exceeded their description, though they were close. There are a series of "cabins" made of mud and tires and bottles with a door and a small ante-room and a main small room just large enough for luggage and two single beds with space to walk between them (or push them together). The room has electricity with a light, fan, heater, and electric plug. The Eco-Camp provides linens and a towel. There is a pillow on the bed, which is a simple metal frame with a plywood base and a thin, but adequate mattress. It is a step up from camping. There is a shared bathroom facility with toilets and showers separated for men and women. The water was hot. There is a communal kitchen with refrigerators for milk, meat, and drinks for those who are keeping kosher. If you are kosher, bring your own utensils. Otherwise, you can borrow pots and pans, plates, and utensils. There is a large sink to wash dishes in and a large drying rack. The kitchen has six burners, which is ok if few people are there but a headache if you come on a holiday weekend and the place is full. The office is in a nice building that includes low benches and tables, good for a drink or internet. You are not allowed to bring your food into the building but need to eat at benches by the kitchen. However, breakfast can be ordered and is served in the building. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Note: this place is an acquired taste. It is a group of mud huts in the desert overlooking a canyon. It has a 1960s vibe complete with the soundtrack playing constantly in the common room with pillows on the floor. The owner is also a vintner and makes delicious wine that can be purchased and consumed on site. You can also cook your own meals there, either on a barbeque, or in a kitchen. Everyone is super friendly and laid back. Don't expect luxury, expect chill. Service was slow because two donkeys wondered into the site, and needed to be returned, so you couldn't really complain.

We only stayed one night and unfortunately didn't have time to enjoy the area as our trip to Mitspe Ramon took a bit longer than expected. However, the little hut we had was charming and quite warm even during an exceptionally cold night. After checking in we were given bed linens and towels and showed to our "room". We haven't slept so well for quite a while! The common areas are very nice, also. The shower only had cold water in the morning which wasn't very pleasant.. Note that the check-in is until 19.00 and they weren't very happy with us arriving around 22.00 (we had some problems on the road and were much later from our initiated time of arrival). We did call in advance to let them know. The surrounding area is beautiful and I wish we had had more time to enjoy it. Free parking was great and safe! Would stay again! We loved this place because you don't really have such places in Europe.