Location: wondefull, on top of mount Carmel. Next to other hotels like the Dans, and to restaurants and shops. Away from the beach, but any way you look at it Haifa doesn't have beaches close to city center as the port occupies most of the coast line. Nearest beach is about 20 minutes by car. Hotel: seems recently renovated, elegant and well kept. small lobby with bar. Rooms: nice and cosy but small. our room was rated Delux and bigger than the basic rooms, but still was rather smallish. Service: friendly,helpfull staff. Pool: the hotel offers a free spa with a small indoor pool and a nice juccuzi. that was fun. However, during the summer the lack of an open pool and garden is a drawback. Food: we tried breakfasts only. Average.

I was visiting IBM Research Labs in Haifa for about a week. There are no hotels close to IBM Haifa, but this one was about the closest. It was formerly the Holiday Inn Bayview, but was reclassified as a Crowne Plaza recently. Lots of renovations have apparently been done. Pros: + comfortable rooms, nicely decorated + very nice views from many of the rooms + courteous and helpful staff + excellent breakfast + convenient to shops in Carmel Centre, restaurants bus stops, etc. + great pool and gym facilities Cons: - some of the rooms have yet to be upgraded; mine was one of these. Nothing wrong with it, but it was starting to look a bit faded in the bathroom. I was very happy during my stay. The place is comfortable, with a nice big lobby, reasonably priced wifi access (USD $15 for 24 hours that can be spread over 3 days), good coffee at the bar, and helpful staff. You pay for it, but you get your money's worth.