The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a luxury hotel with history. It has elegant style accomodation and excellent restaurants. The location, right off Mamila and close to the old city Jaffa gate makes it the perfect hotel, if you can afford the price.
Waldorf
Astoria Jerusalem was constructed on the remains of the old Palace hotel that
was a Muslim hotel around 1930 and was closed down because of the competition
with King David Hotel. For years it was rented to the British administration
and later on serving as one of the Israeli government administration buildings.
Around 1999 it was sold to private entrepreneurs and then again in 2006 when
the current hotel was initiated. The model of the hotel can be found at the
lobby near the stairs down to the lower level.
The
original building included arches and carved stone with a very unique style
matching the walls of ancient Jerusalem. The facade was especially impressive.
While Waldorf Astoria was constructed, the original façade was reserved and
many of the current balconies are the original ones from early twentieth
century. Some parts were reconstructed, such as the entrance hall and the
staircase, it was rebuilt exactly the same as it looked in the original
building and the original steel parts were installed. You can find it where the
well-known Waldorf Astoria clock is located.
Waldorf Astoria has 26 hotels worldwide. The Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria was ranked by Condé Nast Traveller as the best in the Middle East and the 7th best hotel in the world. The hotel has an impressive lobby with a roof that can be opened (it is opened yearly for Sukkot!), elegant public areas with art pieces such as glass art by Dale Chihuly.
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| The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Lobby |
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| The famous Waldorf Astoria Clock |
The
hotel has 265 spacious rooms (starting from 37 square meters), all elegantly
decorated with all the latest technology to the very last detail. We stayed at
the hotel for one night. Our room was spacious as well as the bathroom. The décor
is elegant yet with calming colors. Terry bathrobes and slippers waited for us
in the room. The room has everything one needs from large flatscreen TV,
climate control, espresso machine and safe box. A personal iPad with the
service directory of the hotel and USB charging outlets. The bathroom is luxurious
with Italian marble floors (we were in the summer but we heard it is heated
floor), and mirror embedded TV.
The
nicest room at the hotel is the presidential suite (and there are 2) that is
200 square meter wide and has a separate service entry.
The hotel features some excellent food
services. Breakfast is well known for its quality and it is perhaps the best
one I have ever seen. I must admit I was impressed. The buffet is huge, a whole
room and impeccable. Choice is endless – vegetables, fish, cheeses, hot dishes
(wonderful lasagna, excellent stuffed mushrooms, and much more), fresh bread
and pastries, fruit, healthy food (including gluten free and sugar free), quality spreads and a variety fresh fruit juice. They serve eggs
made to order, pancakes and waffles to the table, as well as all types of hot
beverages. I was especially impressed not only with the high selection but also
with the freshness of all the vegetables and the rest of the food, the fantastic
flavors of the hot dishes and the excellent service. No wonder people say it is
the best breakfast in Israel, it is very likely the best on in the middle east!
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| Fresh juices |
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| Eggs made to order |
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| Eggs Benedict |
Even if not staying at the hotel, one can enjoy
the hotel’s restaurants and bars. We spent a lovely evening at the Garden Terrace.
It has beautiful setting and cool cocktails and tapas.
Information: The Waldorf
Astoria Jerusalem, 26-28 Gershon Agron st., Jerusalem
Disclosure: I was a guest of the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel
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