In Jerusalem: Hostels
By JACOB DALLAL
A selection of budget-priced hotels and hostels
New Imperial Hotel
Jaffa Gate
Tel. 628-2261
Entering through Jaffa Gate, take the second left, walk a little way up the
narrow street and you will find the New Imperial Hotel. The hotel's
interior has a grandiose aspect, but the atmosphere is friendly and
informal. A broad carpeted stairway takes you to the reception, restaurant,
cafe-bar (overlooking Jaffa Gate), and an Internet room. The walls are
adorned with an eclectic selection of paintings, ornaments and period Arab
dresses - some 100 years old. The height of the doors is an imposing
nine-ten feet and the ceilings tower at about three times that height! The
rooms - with or without shower - are basic, clean and comfortable, some
commanding impressive views. Kaiser Wilhelm ll and the late King Hussein
are among some of the hotel's former guests. The building itself is of
great historical interest, and the receptionist and the manager (who
himself traces his well- established family back several hundred centuries)
will be only too happy to fill you in. Rooms cost from $28 to $35 for a
single, from $38 to $46 for a double and from $50 to $65 for a triple.
Citadel Youth Hostel
20 Marks St. at Jaffa Gate
Tel. 627-4375
The enchanting cave-like, Arab-style interior gives this place plenty of
ambiance and a real sense of antiquity. A labyrinthine series of miniature
stairways - tall people should duck! - takes you to the rooms, situated on
several levels. Rooms are fairly basic - but so is the price, at $35 for a
double. A bed in a dorm costs NIS 30 (NIS 25 for students). From Jaffa Gate
continue straight on through the main market thoroughfare and look for St.
Marks road on the right. The Citadel is nestled away in one of the side
streets.
New Swedish Hostel
29 David St.
Tel. 02 626-4124
This is a good place to stay for those on a shoestring budget and traveling
light, as it provides kitchens, a laundry service, lockers with your own
key, free clean sheets and blankets, and free tea and coffee. The
atmosphere is friendly and the staff is helpful. Hot showers can be had 24
hours a day and heaters are provided in the winter season. The hostel
offers private and dormitory rooms for NIS 75 and NIS 20, respectively.
There is a cheaper option of sleeping on the roof, but this is not
advisable during the winter season.
From Jaffa Gate walk down the main thoroughfare, David Street, for a few
minutes and look out for the sign, "New Swedish Hostel."
Hashimi Hotel and Hostel
Suq Khan El-Zeit No. 73
Tel. 628-4410
An elegant marble staircase leads to the reception area and foyer, which is
tastefully furnished with comfortable armchairs and small side-tables, and
illuminated by a skylight window - two floors above! Add to this the
Greco-Roman decor and the gallery structure of the upper floors and it
makes for an atmosphere that is both tranquil and urbane. In the words of
the receptionist, "the hotel gives the warmth and luxury of the Old City,
and works towards fostering peace." The rooms are of a high standard, with
or without bathroom en-suite. Some have good views. There are also
dormitory rooms. Considering all this, prices are surprisingly low: a bed
in a dorm costs $5, a double room costs $30 and a triple room costs $40.
Tabasco Hostel & Tea Room
Souk Khan El-Zeit,
8 Akabat Tekieh
Tel. 628-1101
This is yet another good budget hostel with large dorms, small dorms,
triples, doubles, and singles (35 beds in all). The rooms are fairly basic
but clean and comfortable - some have views of the street. Showers are
shared. There is heating, private lockers, a TV lounge, and free tea and
coffee. This is a popular place among young travelers, as it offers
excellent tours at low rates, or even for free (bus fare only). The
atmosphere is relaxed and the staff is friendly.
The adjacent Tea Room serves cheap, tasty meals - a sausage omelet and
chips is NIS 9, pancake with sugar and lemon syrup NIS 5 and tea NIS 3 -
for a total of NIS 17! There are happy hours every night, and Friday night
is "punch party." Rates for a bed range from NIS 20 to NIS 85.
From Damascus Gate, walk straight down the main market thoroughfare, Khan
El-Zeit, until you see the sign. From Jaffa Gate, walk straight down David
Street until you arrive at Khan El-Zeit. Then turn left. Tabasco Hostel
will be on your right.
Lutheran Hospice Guest House
St Mark's Road
Tel. 628-5150
This aesthetic building is constructed around a courtyard of rock gardens,
plants and little pools. Built in the last century, the hotel rests on a
site upon which construction dates back to biblical times. There is also a
rooftop garden with picturesque views of rooftops, narrow streets and
shops. Other spots offer vistas of many of the major historical sites, such
as the Dome of the Rock, Mount of Olives and the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher. Rooms come with showers and toilets. From Jaffa Gate continue
down David Street for a couple of minutes. Turn left into St. Marks Road,
and look for the hotel on the left. Single rooms $44; doubles $73.
The Scottish Hospice
1 David Remez St.
Tel. 673-2401
This hostel is joined to St. Andrews Church, which is located near the
train station, about a 10-minute walk from the Old City. The rooms are of a
high standard, complete with bathrooms, telephones and central heating.
Many have excellent views of the Old City walls. Breakfast is included in
the price. The hotel has a dining room, a resource room with a library, TV
and video, and also a craft shop featuring Beduin works. A beautiful
ceramic fountain, comfortable lounge with elegant period English furniture
and a rather imposing picture of General Allenby lend the place a certain
British feel. Outside there is a pleasant garden with lots of plants and
more good views, where you can sit and drink tea or coffee. Evening meals
cost $14. Rooms are $55 for a single, $80 for a double (breakfast
included).
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