About
Marvin’s Place is a high-end guesthouse for two, located in the quaint town of Arad, in the southern part of Israel.
​
If you’re looking for a peaceful, quiet and romantic get-away – this is the place for you.
​
Imagine yourself sipping your favorite beverage on our beautiful wooden deck overlooking the captivating shapes of barren desert mountains and the distant Dead Sea on the horizon, enjoying the silent breeze of desert wind while a herd of camels stroll by, led by their Bedouin herdsman.
When you decide to return to your room, you’ll find yourself sleeping on an exceptionally comfortable mattress, watching your favorite show or listening to your selection of music on our 43-inch TV featuring local cable channels, Netflix, and YouTube.
​
You’re welcome to cook up a storm in the kitchen or to grill your favorite meat on our Weber charcoal grill, then savor the flavors of your creation underneath the clear sky.
How it all started
Marvin’s Place served, for two decades, as the workroom of Marvin Friedman, who passed away in November 2021 at the age of 82. This is where he spent much of his time studying desert life and creating magnificent artwork. In this two-room / 1 bath apartment, attached to the main house but accessed separately, Marvin stored his arsenal of books, magazines, and art material.
​
Ask anyone in town about Marvin Friedman – they pretty much all know him as the mythological Biology teacher at the Arad High School, and a wildlife zoologist par excellence. “A legend” and “a rare person” are just two of the many powerful words used by some of Marvin’s former students to describe him. His unique teaching method involved taking students out to the desert so that they experience it, and bringing desert life into the classroom. He had a way with students, leaving them with great memories many years after his retirement; in fact, many of them claim he was the reason they began to love animals and nature in the first place. ​
​
Marvin’s workroom was recently renovated to accommodate individuals or couples looking to enjoy their time in the peaceful town of Arad, and no expense was spared to provide guests with a luxurious experience.
Arad
Arad is a small town, numbering about 24,000 people. It is situated in the southern district of Israel, on the border between the Negev and the Judean deserts. It is only a 20-30 minute drive away from the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, known for its unique beauty and serenity, and for its healing effects on various skin conditions. Thanks to its clean and dry air, Arad has attracted people suffering from Asthma and other respiratory conditions as well.
​
The modern town (now city) of Arad was founded in 1962 – the first planned city in Israel. It is named after the nearby biblical Canaanite town of Arad, now called Tel Arad, situated 9 kilometers west of the modern city. Tel Arad was resettled by Israelites in the 11th century BCE and destroyed by the Babylonians somewhere between 597 and 577 BCE. The name Arad was preserved by the local Bedouins (nomadic tribes) and later on became a Christian bishopric. Arad is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see.
​
Arad is centrally located near several attractions: Bedouin communities, archaeological sites, the Dead Sea, Masada, Ramon Crater and the Small Crater, the ancient Spice Road, desert hike trails, wineries, and much more.
Local restaurants and activities
Enjoy a video taken by a drone
Change the text and make it your own. Click here to begin editing.
Read through a sample list of reviews and testimonials about our guesthouse
Enjoy pictures of Arad and its vicinity, including the desert, Masada, and the Dead Sea
Enjoy pictures of the guesthouse from different periods