The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem

Stayed in the weekend. Jerusalem always has a feeling of tension lurking just under the surface. Not here. You are welcomed to this history charged hotel that has a strong bygone feel to it- in the positive way. Service is kind and friendly. Rooms are spacious and full of caricature. Beds were extremely comfortable (although I would prefer firmer pillows). Food was lovely with generous portions and great value for its quality. An experience to remember.

From the moment we arrived, the reception was outstanding. Diana gave us the warmest welcome!!!. Every detail was perfect the food was incredibly delicious and full of rich flavors, and the rooms felt like an absolute dream. The summer bar was stunning, and Fadi was hands down the best server we've ever had!!!!!|Without a doubt, this is the most amazing hotel in Jerusalem if you're looking for the complete experience.|10/10!

I stayed at the American Colony with my family, unfortunatly I suffered a serious health episode and required an ambulance . I wish to express our deepest appreciation to the hotel team, from the manager to to reciptionest. They went out the way to make us feel comftortabale although the dramatic circumstances. We will always return to stay at the American Colony due to the unique atmosphere and the outreaching team. Daphne Kassif Orchrad

What a special place. The hospitality was lovely, the staff was extremely kind and helpful. And the building and history, my husband and I went floor by floor reading about the different time periods. The gardens are beautiful, the courtyard for breakfast or dinner. I really can't say enough good things. The pool was picturesque. It was like staying in a museum! Things to note: It's next to the Sheik Jarrah neighborhood, I didn't feel unsafe at the hotel or walking to or from public transportation but important for anyone who might be feel differently. The majority of the guests are Israeli or international but it is mixed which I thought added to the perfect weekend. We stayed with our almost 1 year old and they provided us a crib to sleep as well as a high chair for meals.

One of Jerusalem’s most historical and beautiful hotels is the American Colony. While I have only stayed at the hotel a few times (the most recent in early May 2025), I have visited the hotel around a hundred times over the past 25 years for meals and drinks. For me, it is not only one of the highlights of visiting Jerusalem – but visiting Israel. Over the years, I have used the courtyard restaurant for meetings with charities I support and for entertaining friends. The atmosphere is delightful. ||The AC is a boutique hotel with impeccable gardens located in East Jerusalem. The Old City is within walking distance, with the Damascus Gate taking about 15 minutes to reach. There is a Jerusalem Light Rail stop near the Damascus Gate. The AC’s gardens are a real treat on a hot summer day. So is the hotel’s beautiful swimming pool. ||||Given the AC’s unique status and character, the hotel is popular with Jerusalem’s diplomatic community. A sense of the hotel’s history can be appreciated by walking around the AC and enjoying the myriad of period photos.||||While the AC is physically beautiful, the staff makes each visit special. Many have greeted me for years, including the two bellmen. Yet two employees have earned special mention: Jihad, the manager of the Courtyard and Arabesque restaurants; and Yousef Habash, the hotel’s principal concierge. Whenever I arrive at the restaurant – be it for a meal or just a drink – Jihad always personally greets me. He makes me feel at home. Yousef is a fountain of knowledge of things to do, transportation, and local restaurants. My confidence in his skills was highlighted earlier this month when many international airlines stopped flying to Ben Gurion Airport due to a security incident, and my flight to Warsaw was canceled. Although I had already moved to a hotel in Haifa, I called Yousef about logistical details for last-minute travel to Amman Airport – just in case I could not fly from Ben Gurion. Yousef is one of the few Clefs d’Or members in Israel.||||Bottom Line: While the AC may not offer the King David view of the Old City or the opulence of the Waldorf Astoria, it is a boutique hotel that oozes charm with a great atmosphere, offering significantly more value. Even if you decide not to stay at the AC, I highly recommend visiting for a meal or a drink, which I have done so often for years. I am already looking forward to my next stay in June.||||Postscript: On June 12, I left Los Angeles on an overnight connecting flight to Newark for Israel and a two-night stay at the American Colony. Even when I started my journey, the security situation in the Middle East was already dicey. So I was not surprised when arriving in Newark that Israel and Iran were engaged in a full-blown war. But the period to cancel the Expedia-booked American Colony reservation had passed. I contacted the hotel, not expecting any refund, but hoping for at least a partial credit for a future stay. To the hotel's credit and my good luck, the hotel refunded my full payment - and the hotel even responded promptly to e-mails from Expedia and me, though the hotel would have been under constant threat of missile attacks. In this day and age, it is a pleasure to do business with such a reputable establishment.

Our stay at the American Colony was, without a doubt, one of the best local vacations we’ve ever had — and it even surpassed many of our trips abroad. I’ve had this hotel on my list for quite some time, and last weekend we finally got the chance to visit. We originally planned to stay for two nights but ended up extending our stay because we simply couldn’t leave. From the moment you step through the gate, you feel transported. Everything is so full of life and detail — it’s truly one of a kind. The service is outstanding, the kind of genuine, high-quality hospitality that’s incredibly rare to find. The staff strike the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth. The garden is absolutely breathtaking — easily the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. With koi fish, hummingbirds, butterflies, and an intoxicating natural scent in the air, it feels like a hidden oasis. The breakfast is excellent, with a wide variety of delicious options, and the rooms are thoughtfully equipped with everything you might need — even down to luxurious Italian linen sheets. And the pool… you’ll just have to experience it for yourself. In short, the American Colony is a true institution of hospitality. Places like this are rare, and we feel lucky to have found it. Thank you for such a memorable stay. We can’t wait to return.

An unforgettable experience. The hotel is the definition of an oasis. It has incredible history and this is evident in its architecture. Everything is beautiful and the gardens and courtyards are lush. All the staff are extremely friendly and personable. The swimming pool area is serene and quite large. Only a short walk to Jerusalem New Town and the Old City.

The American Colony remains one of the truly great hotels in the world. Service, rooms, food and bar* are all tops. The hotel itself is historic with an unmatched atmosphere. Currently as one might suspect the crowds are down, but we wandered around and were greeted warmly everywhere. * the Summer Bar will be opening soon for the season. This bar is one of the absolute best anywhere, so beautiful so fun. Interesting guests from all over the region and the world. Perhaps the only thing that could be improved is the breakfast buffet. Once a true strong suit now a shadow of itself. Perhaps as the crowds return so will the breakfast.