New Luxury Hotel Approved for Ben Gurion Airport After Years of Planning

Israel's National Planning Administration approved last weekend the permit for a new luxury hotel at Ben Gurion Airport, ending a planning effort first reported in 2013. The project, led by the Israel Airports Authority and expected to begin construction in about a year, is planned to open in several years and will cover more than 31,000 square meters.

Reuven Elkas, CEO and partner at Brown Hotels, told Niv Raskin on Mako's morning show that the five-star hotel is needed because airport traffic has grown sharply, many Israelis fly from far away at inconvenient hours, and flight crews need a place to stay. He said, "There has been a need for a hotel at Ben Gurion for many years."

The hotel will have eight floors and about 260 rooms. Elkas said access will be through the regular Terminal 3 check-in area, connected by a bridge, and described the property as part of the terminal itself. It is expected to include commercial activity, a large spa, a rooftop with views of aircraft taking off, and a major conference hall.

Elkas said guests will be able to complete some airport-related processes through the hotel, though issues such as baggage transfer and security are still being discussed. Asked whether the airport can handle such a facility, he said parking is part of the project and expressed confidence that it will be completed within four years. He added that Brown acquired the right to build the hotel and has been working on the plan since 2018.