If you’re choosing a place to stay in Jerusalem, you have many options, from downtown hotels to historic boutique hotels in quieter neighborhoods, from huge chains to mom-and-pop-style establishments. No matter where you choose to stay, you will most likely begin your day with a traditional magnificent Israeli breakfast as part of your overnight package. Here are our picks for the top hotels in Jerusalem in various categories.
WALDORF ASTORIA
When the 225-room Waldorf opened in March 2014, it was the only international-brand luxury hotel on the street with five-star Mamilla, David’s Citadel, and King David hotels. The Waldorf was designed by Turkish architect Sinan Kafadar and Israeli architect Yehuda Feigin, who both won awards for their work. The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem has been named one of the best hotels in Israel by Condé Nast for three years in a row. It was also one of the “10 Best City Hotels in Africa and the Middle East” by Travel + Leisure in 2018.
Order a slice of the hotel chain’s famous Red Velvet cake to eat in the lobby. Avraham Aborgil makes a Waldorf Astoria clock with four faces with Hebrew, Arabic, Roman, and European numerals on them.
Address: 26 to 28 Gershon Agron Street
Amenities: Two kosher restaurants, a lobby bar, conference and event facilities, including a 700-square-meter Grand Ballroom, a personal concierge, a rooftop garden terrace, and a 700-square-meter ballroom.
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Americal Colony Hotel
The American Colony, one of Jerusalem’s top hospitality establishments, is located in East Jerusalem near the Damascus Gate. This 94-room, 120-year-old Ottoman-style compound is divided into three buildings, each with its own garden. The Pasha Deluxe suite is made up of ancient rooms created for the Turkish Pasha’s three wives in the 1800s. Foreign journalists have long enjoyed the American Colony, and notable guests have included Winston Churchill, Laurence of Arabia, Lauren Bacall, Peter O’Toole, Richard Gere, Tony Blair, and John le Carré over the years.
Address: 1 Louis Vincent-St.
Amenities: Four indoor and outdoor dining locations (not kosher), two bars, an outdoor pool, fitness facility, sauna, meeting room, courtyard, and gardens.
King David Jerusalem Hotel
In 1931, the 206-room King David hotel opened. It is one of Israel’s most well-known places. It has been one of the top 100 hotels in the world by the Robb Report on a regular basis and Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top Hotels in the Middle East: Readers’ Choice Awards.”
King David is the best place for visiting heads of state and celebrities to stay when they come to visit. Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump were just some of its most essential guests over the years. Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Tony Blair were also some of its most famous guests.
Address: 23 King David St.
Amenities: An outdoor pool, a gym, a spa, a kosher meat restaurant, a kosher dairy restaurant, a bar, business services, a butler service and more are all on the list.
Dan Jerusalem
As a hotel with 502 rooms and suites, the Dan is one of the best in Jerusalem. The Dan Jerusalem, which used to be the Hyatt Regency, is in the northern French Hill neighborhood. It was designed by Israel Prize-winning architect David Reznik, who built it on the slopes of Mount Scopus, making it easy to get to the Scopus campuses of Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center. Yet, it’s only a short distance to downtown Jerusalem or the Dead Sea to the west or east.
Address: 32 Lehi St.
Amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a gym, a Turkish bath, a business lounge, a Danyl and children’s club, three kosher restaurants, and a lobby bar is all available.
Ramat Rachel Hotel
The Ramat Rachel Hotel is on the tip of southern Jerusalem, overlooking Bethlehem and the Judean Hills. It has 165 rooms and a sparkling new Sports Center next door on the kibbutz, which was founded in 1926 and had the largest cherry orchard in Israel. For free, guests can go on guided tours of the archaeological site, Eyal’s Farm, and Olive Park.
Address: Kibbutz Ramat Rachel
Amenities: Conference and banquet facilities, kosher restaurant, heated semi-Olympic-size swimming pool, fitness area, exercise classes, spa treatments, tennis and basketball courts
Alegra Boutique Hotel
Hotel Alegra, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem in a renovated authentic Crusader inn from over 1,000 years ago and a 200-year-old former synagogue across the lane, overlooks the woodland settlement of Ein Karem. This boutique hotel, which opened in 2011, was the 1930s house of Alegra and Jabra Persis. Each of the hotel’s six rooms and seven suites is named after a historical or mythical couple. Changing art displays are displayed in public locations. Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, is home to numerous churches and monasteries and art studios, and galleries.
Address: 13 Derech HaAhayot St.
Amenities: Spa, wet sauna, conference room, sunbathing/observation deck, courtyard, and garden with splash pools, waterfalls, and fish ponds (not kosher),
Ibis Styles
You can easily explore the Old City, Nahalat Shiva, Mamilla Avenue, Machane Yehuda Market, sights, and museums from this new 124-room design hotel. It is located on the Ben Yehuda pedestrian promenade in the heart of Jerusalem’s city center, close to a light-rail stop and many eateries and shops. The multinational Ibis brand of the Accor Hotels company promotes responsible environmental measures in everything from cleaning products to water and food waste prevention.
Address: 4 Ben Yehuda St.
Amenities: Kosher café serves all-day brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as a complimentary happy hour and a lobby bar
21st Floor Hotel
The 21st Floor Hotel and the 21-story Jerusalem Crowne Plaza rise above the rest in a city with few skyscrapers and spectacular views of the city and beyond. Choose one of the following: The first is a small boutique hotel, whereas the second is a central chain hotel.
The 21st Floor Hotel, located on the upper two levels of an office building at the intersection of King George Street and the Ben-Yehuda pedestrian promenade, features 14 duplex rooms with full kitchens, salons, and dining areas, each with a telescope pointing out the picture window.
Address: 21st Floor Hotel, 34 Ben-Yehuda St.
Amenities: Jacuzzis, spa, board and computer games for children, business services, airport pickup service, personal stylist, personal chef, laundry, and other services are available.