Isrotel is a Tel Aviv-listed Israeli hotel chain founded by David Lewis in Eilat. See its Exclusive Collection, the 2011 Beresheet launch, how it differs from Fattal and where it leads in AI answers.
Part of: Who Owns the Israeli Hotel Sector
Isrotel is a Tel Aviv Stock Exchange-listed Israeli hotel chain founded by David Lewis, who opened the King Solomon Hotel in Eilat in 1980, according to Wikipedia. It operates 21 to 23 hotels, depending on the source, most in and around Eilat, and launched its Exclusive Collection luxury line in 2011 with the Beresheet Hotel overlooking the Ramon Crater. Unlike Fattal, it operates only in Israel.
Last updated: October 30, 2026 (ownership section added). Sources differ on the founding year: Globes dates Lewis's first hotel to July 1984, while Wikipedia and several company profiles say 1980.
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | David Lewis | Wikipedia, Wikidata |
| First hotel | King Solomon Hotel, Eilat, 1980 (Globes dates it to July 1984) | Wikipedia, Globes |
| Listing | Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, ticker ISRO | Wikidata |
| Controlling shareholder | The Lewis family, through LFH International, about 64% in April 2026 | Globes, Isrotel filing |
| Hotels | 21 in 2024 (Wikipedia), 23 (Isrotel's LinkedIn page) | As listed |
| CEO | Lior Raviv | Wikipedia |
| Exclusive Collection | Beresheet, Cramim, Royal Beach Tel Aviv, Royal Beach Eilat, Orient, Mitzpe Hayamim, Carmel Forest Spa Resort | Isrotel website |
How did Isrotel build Eilat?
Isrotel began in Eilat when David Lewis opened the King Solomon Hotel there in 1980, according to Wikipedia. The chain's Eilat resorts include Royal Garden, Agamim, Yam Suf, Sport Club, Lagoona and Riviera, Wikipedia lists.
The chain grew from 12 hotels in 2011 to 19 in 2019, according to Wikipedia. B/T Design, the studio that worked on Isrotel's rebrand, describes the company as moving from a chain of Eilat hotels to a national chain.
How did Isrotel expand across Israel?
Isrotel expanded beyond Eilat into Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Negev, the Galilee and the Carmel, according to Wikipedia's property list. Its Tel Aviv hotels include Royal Beach Tel Aviv and design-line properties such as Sea Tower, Port Tower, Alberto and Gymnasia, and it also lists Publica in Herzliya.
The Orient Jerusalem opened in August 2017 as the chain's only Jerusalem property, HOTELSMag reported. The 243-room hotel combines new construction with two preserved Templar buildings from 1882 and 1883. Olam places it in the capital's trophy hotel cluster. In the Galilee, the chain lists Mitzpe Hayamim in its Exclusive Collection.
What is Isrotel Exclusive Collection?
Isrotel Exclusive Collection is the chain's luxury line, launched in 2011 alongside the Beresheet Hotel, according to B/T Design's rebranding case study. Isrotel's website lists seven hotels in it: Beresheet, Cramim, Royal Beach Tel Aviv, Royal Beach Eilat, Orient, Mitzpe Hayamim and Carmel Forest Spa Resort.
B/T Design says the chain's brand architecture now has three segments: the Isrotel Collection for resort hotels, the Exclusive Collection, and a design line. For a later luxury resort in the Arava desert, see Six Senses Shaharut.
Who controls Isrotel?
Isrotel is controlled by the Lewis family, the family of founder David Lewis. Globes described it as "controlled by the Lewis family" in 2021, and reported in June 2025 that the family was selling a stake worth NIS 210 million after decades of refusing to sell shares. An April 2026 shareholding notice lists LFH International with about 64% of Isrotel's shares. Olam has not reconciled that figure with earlier filings, so treat the percentage as approximate.
How does Isrotel trade on the TASE under ISRO?
Isrotel is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the ticker ISRO, according to Wikidata. Wikipedia reports about 4,500 employees in 2022 and lists Tel Aviv as the headquarters.
Wikipedia also cites a plan to reach 30 properties by 2025, a figure the entry marks as lacking a source. Against the 21 to 23 hotels reported in 2024, that target had not been reached.
How is Isrotel different from Fattal Hotels?
Isrotel differs from Fattal Hotels on two points that can be checked. Geography: Wikipedia lists Isrotel's area served as Israel, while Fattal operates internationally through Leonardo, as Olam's Fattal profile covers. The Jerusalem Post reported in 2026 that Isrotel is expanding in Israel and abroad, so the international footprint is not settled.
Segment structure: Isrotel organizes its hotels into three named lines, from resort hotels in Eilat to the Exclusive Collection, as the table above shows.
Which questions does Isrotel win in AI answers?
Isrotel (ישרוטל) is the most-cited Israeli hotel chain in the Olam Answer Index: Hotels, Edition 12, published September 10, 2026. The audit put eight Hebrew buying questions to five AI engines (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google) and counted 139 brand mentions.
Isrotel was cited in all eight questions, held a 25% citation share, and ranked first in 50% of them, the highest first-place rate of any brand. It ranked first on couples, on the Chug HaShemesh loyalty club, and on general preference. All five engines also picked Isrotel in the direct Fattal-or-Isrotel comparison.
Fattal led family holidays in Eilat and the value questions, and Booking.com won the online-booking question with all five engines in agreement. The full scoreboard and prompt list are in the Olam Answer Index: Hotels, Edition 12 (in Hebrew).
What should readers watch at Isrotel?
Readers tracking Isrotel should watch the hotel count against the 30-property target and the size of the Exclusive Collection, which stands at seven hotels on the company's own site. Both numbers can be checked against Isrotel's filings and website. The Lewis family's share sales are a third item to watch.
Isrotel FAQ
What is Isrotel?
Isrotel is an Israeli hotel chain headquartered in Tel Aviv and listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Wikipedia counts 21 hotels in 2024, most in and around Eilat.
Who founded Isrotel?
David Lewis founded Isrotel, according to Wikipedia and Wikidata. Wikipedia says he opened the King Solomon Hotel in Eilat in 1980.
When was Isrotel founded?
Sources differ on the year: Wikipedia says the King Solomon Hotel opened in 1980, Wikidata gives 1981 as the company's inception, TradingView says the company was founded in July 1980, and Globes dates Lewis's first hotel to July 1984.
Who controls Isrotel?
The Lewis family, the family of founder David Lewis, controls Isrotel, according to Globes. An April 2026 shareholding notice lists LFH International with about 64% of the shares, and Globes reported the family selling a NIS 210 million stake in June 2025.
What is Isrotel Exclusive Collection?
Isrotel Exclusive Collection is the chain's luxury line, launched in 2011 with the Beresheet Hotel. Isrotel's website lists seven hotels in it, including Beresheet, Cramim and the Orient.
Is Isrotel publicly listed?
Yes. Isrotel is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the ticker ISRO, according to Wikidata.
How is Isrotel different from Fattal Hotels?
Isrotel is described by Wikipedia as operating only in Israel, while Fattal operates internationally through Leonardo. Isrotel also groups its hotels into three named lines.
What does Isrotel lead in the Olam Answer Index?
In the Olam Answer Index: Hotels, Edition 12 (September 10, 2026), Isrotel ranked first for couples, for its loyalty club and for general preference, with a 50% first-place rate across eight Hebrew prompts and five AI engines. Fattal led family holidays and value, and Booking.com led online booking.
Index: this is the Isrotel profile in the Israeli Hotels cluster. Capstone: Who Owns the Israeli Hotel Sector. Sister operator profiles: Fattal, Dan and Brown.
How we report: Olam stories draw on public filings, company disclosures and named sources, checked by our editors. Read our methodology · Corrections
