The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem

Mein Mann und ich waren gerade für zwei Wochen in Israel. Wir haben uns dabei ganz Israel angesehen. In Jerusalem haben wir dabei 5 Tage im American Colony Hotel verbracht. Das American Colony Hotel war mit Abstand eines der besten Hotels, in denen wir bisher waren. Die Lage ist fabelhaft und atemberaubend und das Personal spitze. Sich Jerusalem anzusehen kann sehr hektisch und anstrengend sein. Wenn man nach einem langen Tag auf den Beinen dann wieder ins American Colony Hotel kam, dann war das fast so als wenn man eine Oase der Ruhe betritt. Im schönen Innenhof war man für sich alleine und hatte seine Ruhe (und dort bekam man auch nachmittags Tee und Cocktails). Ein absolutes Muss, wenn man in Jerusalem übernachtet!

Wir waren während unseres Urlaubs in Jerusalem für eine Woche im AC und wir haben jede Sekunde davon genossen. Das Personal war sehr freundlich und die Zimmer waren geräumig und in einem freundlichen, orientalischen Stil eingerichtet. Der Garten war fantastisch, die Lage auch. Das Hotel ist aber nicht ganz billig. Wenn Sie sich es aber leisten können und eine erholsame Zeit in Jerusalem verbringen wollen, dann gehen Sie hin! Ich war schwanger als wir da waren und so haben wir uns immer einen halben Tag die Stadt angesehen und einen halben Tag am Pool verbracht (wo man die Muezzin hören kann). Wunderbar!

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this hotel and am excitedly looking forward to when my work takes me back to Jerusalem again!

From the moment I arrived, I felt that I had stepped back in time to a different era. On the otherhand, the hotel has all the facilties of a modern 5 star hotel, cleverly incorporated without ruining the atmosphere.

The beautiful settings, original architecture (I think the building is over 100 years old), great food, very friendly and professional staff and fantastic facilities all helped make my stay (and my work meetings) go very smoothly.

If you can, ask for one of the unique rooms / suites. I had a deluxe pasha room, which was apparently one of the winter rooms that the original Pasha's wives used (leaflet in the room).

Finally, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that my room and all the public areas provided free wireless broadband connections. Something other deluxe hotels feel able to charge exorbitant amounts for.

Definitely, Definitely stay here if you are travelling to Jerusalem - I certainly will be!!

This hotel is probably one of the best reasons to visit Jerusalem. Located in an elegant Arab-style oasis, the hotel offers comfort, style, fantastic food, a magnificent pool surrounded by foliage and bedrooms out of the Orient Express.

The management and Palestinian reception staff are courteous and very friendly.

A great place to stay.

My husband and I just returned from a 2-week trip to Israel. During our trip, we traveled all over Israel. While in Jerusalem, we spent five days at the American Colony Hotel. The American Colony Hotel was, by far, one of the best hotels we've ever been to. The location is fabulous, the staff is marvelous and the setting is breathtaking. Touring Jerusalem can be hectic and tiresome. Returning to the American Colony Hotel after a day of touring was like walking into an oasis of tranquility. The courtyard provides privacy, peace, and beauty (as well as afternoon tea and cocktails). This is an absolute must when staying in Jerusalem!!

We stayed in the AC for one week on holiday in Jerusalem and loved every minute of it.

Staff were very friendly, room spacious and friendly in oriental style. The garden is fantastic, the location too. However, the hotel ist not cheap.

If you can afford it and want to spend a relaxing time in Jerusalem, this is the place to go! As I was pregnant, when we there, we spent half day sightseing and half day near the pool. (where you can hear the muezzin!) Lovely!

Stayed at the AC for three nights. Whilst I agree with other reviewers that the hotel itself is both atmospheric and very attractive there are one or two small points which would stop me calling it excellent( remember this place isnt cheap)

I arrived at 0600hrs . No one offered to help me with my bag from the taxi.The guy on the door was unsmiling and after checking in,uneventfuly, I was not offered assistance to my room. The room itself was nice, with some period features. It faced the back of the hotel and the pool. My bed had been turned down and a free bottle of water was available. Very comfortable bed

A fully stocked mini barwas also available. No room service menus for some reason. Other colleagues commented on this too. If you do not wish to be woken early in the morning make sure you ask to be placed in a room as far away as possible from the early morning 'call to prayer' which from my room was all too audible. This may be acceptable if you are n a leisure trip, but not so great if you have a full day of meetings.

Breakfast was a great choice and is laid out in the hallway joining the breakfast room which is fine if the hotel is quiet but if its busy (as it was one day with a group of US holidaymakers) it is way too cramped

Had drinks one night in the cellar bar with a large group of colleagues and wanted to pay for an extra round for some other people. I asked for a separate bill for this but was asked by the barman if I could not include it in the main bill to make it easier. I said no and got a separate bill., but why ask in the first place?

These may seem minor points but this place is relais chateaux run and should live up to their standard in all areas.

I stayed there for a business trip after reading about it but nothing prepared me for the atmosphere and amazing hospitality of the staff. The room I had ( 13) was immaculate and clean with gorgeous vaulted ceilings. The broadband is free and the business centre is free, most places rip you off so that you end paying what I paid here anyway.

I met the GM a young Swiss guy who was really friendly and the whole atmosphere was just special. I will go back again!



PKfrom London

When I came to Jerusalem I immediately booked the only Relais & Châteaux, the American Colony, for my business trip. What a pleasure and satisfaction. Warm welcome, friendly and professional staff. The whole atmospher made me feeling good, relax. The food is excellent. The bar has to be seen, unique with vaulted ceiling. Ask for the deluxe Pasha room, 14 is my favorite with big terrace overlooking the pool area. I liked it so much that I came back few months later with my wife and my 2 kids. For me, best hotel in Middle East (and I travel a lot) and one of my favourite in the world.

I have stayed at the AC 4 times in the past year and it is undoubtedly the best all round property in Jerusalem. Its a family owned property with about 100 rooms in several connected buildings. The service is friendly and the food is better than good, if not quite excellent (also a bit pricey). The location in East Jerusalem is as safe as it gets and only about 5 minute walk from the Old City. A convenience store and pharmacy are nearby and the hotel includes a lovely gift shop and book store. In the summer a pretty outdoor bar is also opened. The outdoor pool is nice and big enough. Fitness facilities are a bit small but equipment is good and it is usually not busy. Excellent broadband in rooms is available for $20 extra a night and there are also 2 public computers.

The place is also a historical monument and had hosted numerous pieces of history and the great and good for a good part of the past century. The attractions of West Jerusalem are only a 5 minute cab ride away or a 30 minute walk iif you're more adventurous. It is well cared for and family owned (although now Relais and Chateaux managed). All in all, a perfect place to experience Jerusalem without the hustle, bustle and added risk of its only real competition, the King David.

A word on the security situation - I would not hesitate to go but I travel extensively and may have a high tolerance (I went to Egypt on Sept. 15, 2001) some risk is undoubtedly there, particularly in W. Jerusalem. You need to be prudent but it is not a war zone by any stretch. I might not bring kids just because of the remote chance but i certainly wouldn't discourage adults. Of course this is only my opinion and I am not a security expert, so use your own judgement.