This Sleek, Modern Hotel Sits Just Outside the Old City of Jerusalem - Hotels Above Par - Boutique Hotels & Travel

"Opened in 2009 and part of the upscale Set Collection (alongside Hotel Lutetia in Paris, the Conservatorium in Amsterdam, and Hotel Café Royal in London), this five-star property—favored by visiting diplomats and tastemakers—is located just beyond Jerusalem’s Old City walls near Jaffa Gate. Designed by Moshe Safdie with interiors by Piero Lissoni, the hotel presents a tasteful contemporary look: an airy double-height lobby, a sculptural steel staircase against pale limestone, and eclectic seating that includes antique Chinese chairs and a Barcelona couch. It operates kosher with separate meat and dairy outlets; the ground-floor Happy Fish serves dairy-friendly Israeli and Mediterranean fare (falafel, mezze and the catch of the day), while a rooftop open-air restaurant offers burgers and grilled meats with panoramic city views. Guests enjoy a ballroom buffet breakfast featuring continental choices and Israeli specialties like shakshuka; a small indoor pool sits on a lower level, and the Akasha spa—accessed via a pedestrian bridge—houses a gym, fitness classes, treatment rooms, hydrotherapy (watsu) and hammam treatments. Rooms (194 total) are clean-lined with neutral hues and colorful accents, carved stone sinks, and glass bathroom walls that switch from transparent to translucent at the touch of a button; the signature suite sleeps three and has sliding partitions separating sleeping and sitting areas. The property is adapted for observant guests with Shabbat room settings (pre-programmed lighting) and a Shabbat elevator that stops on every floor. Booking perks often include upgrades (Studio to Executive), daily breakfast for two, a one-time dining credit at Happy Fish (up to $100, excluding alcohol/taxes/gratuities), early check-in/late-check-out subject to availability, and complimentary Wi‑Fi; rates start around $486. Nearby highlights include the Old City attractions (Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulcher) and a prominent shopping promenade."