Saraya Hotel: A journey through time and luxury in Beit She’an with Ran & Morris

Located at a pivotal crossroads of ancient civilizations, the Saraya Hotel in Beit She’an represents not just a mere lodging but a gateway to the past, celebrating a rich tapestry of history that spans from the Iron Age to the British Mandate…

saraya hotel Beit She’an

The phrase “If there is paradise, Beit She’an is its gateway,” a sentiment from the 3rd century, captures the timeless allure of this place, now home to a hotel that seamlessly blends historic reverence with modern luxury.

The Saraya Hotel’s design ethos is deeply rooted in the historical significance of its location. Known as Nysa Scythopolis in antiquity, the city was a cultural and administrative hub during the Roman period, renowned for its grandeur and opulence. This historical backdrop inspires the hotel’s theme, intertwining luxury with governance and indulgence, reflective of a bygone era where cities like Beit She’an were centres of prosperity and cultural fusion.

saraya hotel Beit She’an

Image credit: Ran & Morris

Architecturally, the hotel draws from ‘one thousand and one night’ experience, evident in its majestic water gardens and extensive use of mosaics, which resonate with the opulence of ancient Roman villas. The introduction of a winery within the hotel premises pays homage to Dionysus, the god of wine, reviving the ancient tradition of winemaking in the region and offering guests an authentic taste of historical luxury.

The hotel’s design also incorporates elements of traditional Moroccan architecture, seen in the use of riad-style layouts and ornate painted tiles. These features not only embed the hotel within its Middle Eastern context but also add layers of cultural richness and textural depth. The central courtyard, with its expansive pool, serves as a communal oasis, providing a cool retreat from the desert heat and a serene setting for private events and relaxed gatherings.

Inside, the rooms at Saraya Hotel are designed to foster a sense of openness while ensuring privacy. A central bed anchors the space, with an innovative open bathing area delineated by an artistically crafted headboard partition. This layout integrates the sleeping and bathing areas into a cohesive whole, where traditional boundaries are reimagined to enhance the spatial experience. The bathrooms blend modern design with traditional elements, featuring a combination of freestanding bathtubs and bespoke fixtures that echo the historic influences pervasive throughout the hotel.

saraya hotel Beit She’an

Image credit: Ran & Morris

This blending of old and new extends to the hotel’s narrative, which is visualized through careful attention to detail and a commitment to creating a unique guest experience. Each element, from the layout of the communal spaces to the private nooks, is designed to maximize intimacy while celebrating the communal spirit of ancient hospitality practices. The hotel thus serves as a modern canvas for the rich tapestries of history, culture, and art that define Beit She’an, inviting guests to step into a story that weaves the past with the present in an elegant, immersive environment.

Through its thoughtful design and historical homage, the Saraya Hotel in Beit She’an stands as a beacon of cultural heritage and modern luxury, inviting travellers from around the world to experience the gateway to paradise through its uniquely crafted spaces and stories.

Ran & Morris is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Ran & Morris

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.