Jerusalem Hotel Tips by leffe3

Labelled a B&B, Mishkenot Sha'anim must be one of the nicest places in Jerusalem to stay.
The village colony of Mishkenot was built in the 19th century and represents the first 'suburb' of Jerusalem outside the Old City walls. It overlooks the Old City and Sultan's Pool and was built as essentially homes for workers as the population of the city began to grow.

Nowadays, it is surrounded by the modern city. With the stupendous views and location, it has now become gentrified, the stone cottages and homes climbing up the hill, the alleyways bouganvillea shrouded.

In the midst of this is the 'B&B'. For a while, it was an artists colony, primarily for literature. Many great names of literature have stayed here, the walls adorned with a whose who of novelists from around the world. But it recently underwent a massive rennovation and has become a superb place to stay.

Unique Qualities: A row of stone cottages have been converted into private rooms or suites. Each has 2 rooms - a comfortably and stylish (but not ostentatious) decorated living room with a separate bedroom. Each has a view into the valley, most onto the Old City (a shared terrace runs the entire length of the row). 2 suites each share a common entrance, with one suite forming the ground floor, the other the 1st floor. What was once the alleyway as been converted into a covered 'corridor' connecting the suites and the reception area which is accessed by stairs 'higher up the hill'. There are only about 25 suites. The reception area leads to a restaurant, small gallery, function and education rooms as well as another dining area where breakfast is served.
I have put a price as an average, but the rates are very variable - you can negotiate.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: Mishkenot Sha'anim

The American Colony is one of those very special places that half wants to tell the world, the other wants to keep it (the worst kept) secret!

Originally a rich landowner's mansion, built in typical Ottoman style (ie solid blank exterior walls with all rooms opening out into the inner courtyard), the building was rented (and later purchased) in 1860 by a group of devout Christian Americans from Chicago - and so the 'American Colony' was thus born. It was the beginning of the 20th century, however, when Peter Ustinov's grandfather made arrangements for the overflow of visitors to stay at The American Colony, and so the concept of the hotel was first born.

Nowadays, the hotel has all the luxuries of a 21st century hotel, with a new wing housing comfortable ensuite rooms. But the orignal building remains and a number of the rooms have been converted into luxurious rooms and suites. (owned as it is by Relais & Chateaux, only the best will do).

Unique Qualities: The hotel is second to none in Jerusalem (and arguably Israel). Hidden behind palms and established foliage, the 19th century oasis is the place for a comfortable and relaxed stay. 21st century meets Ottoman: the public rooms are grand without being ostentatious. The courtyard cafe (with the tinkling fountain) one of the most laidback places in Jerusalem. The Cellar Bar one of the happening places with Belly Dancers to provide that 'touch' of a flavour of the geographical location. The swimming pool at the rear of the building a welcome spot for some light relief.
Rooms in the old building are grand with that touch of the 'old-fashioned'. Over-plumped pillows, billowing net curtains, dark mahogany furniture, extensive use of heavy Egyptian cotton. The new wing is one of less character but more modern in its functionality and facilities.

On top of this, what is also a pleasure about staying at the hotel is the staff. Genuinely welcoming and helpful.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: (972) 2 627 9777
Address: 1 Louis Vincent Street
Directions: East Jerusalem.
Website: www.americancolony.com/

This is one of those places that can divide opinion! Having stayed there several times, I can understand why!

Fantastic location, a few minutes walk from the Liberty Bell Gardens and part of a block of buildings that is covered in newish Jerusalem stone (so where shades when approaching the hotel :)). It's big, it's impersonal, it's comfortably decorated if a little on the ostentatious side. Public rooms are spread out and dark, providing relief from the intense heat outside (assuming you are there during the summer months!). Rooms vary according to payment, but all are fairly big, furnished comfortably if a little bit 'knocked around' by the wear and tear of it being a popular hotel.

Small pool overlooking the back of the hotel, although does provide the occasional glimpse of the Old City. Top floors at the back also provide same view.

Breakfast is one of the highlights of the place, although it is served in a cavern of a room so this is not an intimate moment of the day. This can also be the most confronting of yor stay, especially if it is a busy period. Lots of large families do not result in a quiet start to the day :)

Staff mixed - some are friendly and helpful, some little more than courteous. But that's OK - professionalism is there - just allow for a bad day or the receptionist having just dealt with the rudest customer imagineable. (I have seen this on a couple of occasions and told the receptionists involved that they deserved a medal).

Unique Qualities: It's not such a unique place - a comfortable, tourist hotel. I understand it is a 5 star hotel - would question that rating but more than comfortable place to stay alhtough worth avoiding at the height of holiday season - simply because it being such a large hotel, the noise and general 'hub' factor can be a little unpleasant (although this is no fault of the hotel itself). It's also extremely popular for functions, further adding to the general melee of people!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 39 Keren Hayesod, , Jerusalem 94188

This has to be the worst hotel of its type I have stayed at in Jerusalem. It's huge (300+ rooms), totally impersonal and decidedly tatty round the edges.

A monolith of concrete and glass is the first experience of this hotel, built as it is on the borders of East/West Jerusalem, a stone's throw from the American Colony and Attar Hotels and part of a block of 3 brand new chain hotels (the Novotel being far and away the biggest and ugliest). The foyer/reception is huge and wholly impersonal - a swathe of polished marble disappearing to the rear and the lifts (which is the beginning of the shabby aspect of the hotel). Upstairs, long corridors a Kafka-esque reminiscence of faceless bureaucratic government buildings - door after door leading into the distance in both directions, shabby carpets and rooms that are nothing more than functional (although to be fair, the rooms are fairly large and have opening windows - at least on the 7th Floor they do - this was the so-called Executive Floor but couldn't quite work out why!). It's very popular with large groups and, whilst the breakfast offered is very good (a huge spread), it does mean that unless you get there early, you can end up queueing for some time).

Unique Qualities: A large outdoor oval swimmimg pool is on offer, the location offers a different experience of Jerusalem (St George's Cathedral is amost opposite, the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City is less than 10 minutes walk away) and there are deals to be had that can make this an attractive price option (US$110 including breakfast) in a city with overpriced hotels. But cannot say that I would recommend this to anyone.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 9 St Georges Street
Directions: Just off Road Number One heading north of the Old City