19 Best Hotels in Center City, Jerusalem

In this stylish boutique lodging named after Arthur Balfour (of the famed Balfour Declaration that promised the Jews a national home in Palestine), guest rooms feature unusual black-and-white tile floors, comfortable leather armchairs, and soothing periwinkle walls. Try to reserve one of the few rooms with modest balconies. An abundant breakfast is served in the charming lobby with wooden furniture or outside in a small garden. There's an evening happy hour with complimentary drinks and refreshments every day except Saturday.

The guest rooms at this 11-story landmark in the middle of the hotel district are a bit compact, but thoughtful lighting, well-placed furnishings, and interesting artwork make a difference. It's worth spending a bit more to stay in one of the updated rooms, which have loads of light and are more spacious. Modern touches include flat-screen TVs and handy writing desks. The rooftop terrace has a 360-degree view of Jerusalem.

Talk about a great first impression—this hotel's lobby, by noted Italian architect Piero Lissoni, is modern and welcoming, illuminated by the natural sunlight streaming in from the arched glass roof. A sumptuous breakfast with omelet and waffle stands is served in the lounge and terrace one floor above, with stunning views of both the Old City and the amphitheater-shape pool area. The contemporary guest rooms, spacious and elegantly decorated in soft tones of beige and cream, have oak parquet floors. Well-appointed bathrooms add to the appeal. The magnificent children's play center has plenty to keep the younger ones entertained, and there are video game systems for older kids.

The address in the heart of a prestigious hotel district—just a five-minute walk from Downtown or from Jaffa Gate—is a major draw here. Rooms are sunny and decorated in cheerful colors. Those over the main entrance are smaller but quieter. Rooms facing King David Street (some with views of the Old City) are more spacious, but expect traffic noise when the double-glazed windows are open. The rental-car company that owns the property often offers good deals to hotel guests.

An unbeatable location and lovely rooftop terrace make this a welcome addition to the neighborhood's growing list of boutique hotels. The spare lobby is tiled in black marble, and one wall is made of fuschia-color glass. More expensive rooms have pocket-size balconies where you can watch the neighbors go about their day, although the local hangouts make it noisier at night. There are 18 free parking spaces underground, as well as complimentary access to a local gym.

A combination of stellar service and delightful rooms heralded this first of many boutique hotels in the historic Nahalat Shiva neighborhood, in the heart of downtown Jerusalem. A generous breakfast is served in the lobby, where the ceilings are covered with silk-screened historical photos. You can enjoy an open-air terrace or a lounge with working fireplace. The modern rooms are decorated in sophisticated shades of red and dove gray. The daily happy hour includes complimentary glasses of wine, fruit, and cookies.

Named after the British-Jewish politician who governed Israel during the Mandate, Herbert Samuel is a widely celebrated hotel in the downtown area. Guest rooms are chicly decorated in warm tones of grayish beige and include espresso machines and free international calls from the land line. The lobby is modern and whimsical; you can enjoy a cocktail and a book from the wall library as you sit on a sapphire blue couch. The real draw is the underground pool and saunas, where daybeds, a vintage portrait of Jerusalem, and classical music inspire pure relaxation.

Jerusalem stone lends a warm glow to this low-slung hotel, which is wrapped around a central courtyard and atrium. In warm weather, the best way to start the day is with an excellent outdoor breakfast in the shaded courtyard. The well-maintained guest rooms are comfortably furnished and all have views. Penthouse suites have balconies overlooking the Old City, a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Others face the leafy Talbieh neighborhood. The gym, spa, and heated pool are added bonuses. The hotel's location next to the playgrounds at Liberty Bell Garden makes it ideal for families. Major renovations and rebranding have recently taken place and the hotel is as luxurious as ever, including their in-house restaurant, 02.

Steps from the Old City, this hotel's prime location makes it a great option if you want to be close to the action. The rooms are smallish and lack frills, but thoughtful updates and splashes of color give them a light, airy feel. Ask for an east-facing room above the sixth floor to guarantee an Old City view. The dining room and bar have a modern feel.

This grande dame of Israeli luxury hotels opened in 1931 and has successfully defended its title ever since, adding modern amenities like a well-appointed gym and luxuries like a French-style restaurant (La Régence). The ceilings, columns, and walls of the bustling lobby and bar are decorated in "ancient Mesopotamian" geometrics. Airy guest rooms are elegantly orchestrated in burgundy and gold, with old-fashioned writing tables adding a gracious touch. Pricier rooms and suites have views or balconies facing the Old City. Shaded by palm trees, the landscaped pool area and tennis courts are the most beautiful in Jerusalem.

Overlooking Independence Park, the 22-story Leonardo Plaza is a Jerusalem landmark with terrific views, especially from upper floors. Popular with a religious Jewish clientele, the sleek guest rooms are done up in black and white. Primavera, the Italian restaurant presided over by acclaimed chef Shalom Kadosh, has won kudos locally for its tasty food and elegant atmosphere.

The small hotel makes no pretensions about being a full-service facility, but it is comfortably furnished, a good value, and within walking distance of the Old City. There is some street noise, but double-glazed windows help. Some of the rooms are more spacious than others, especially those for families. In warm months, enjoy plenty of outdoor seating for breakfast.

With clever and soaring architectural flourishes by starchitect Moshe Safdie and a restrained yet luxurious modern interior design by Piero Lissoni, the Mamilla is a sleek and comfortable haven with bars and restaurants that appeal to locals and travelers alike. Perched above the outdoor Mamilla pedestrian shopping mall, all rooms include wood floors, black metal headboards, espresso machines, and richly textured drapes, while the contemporary bathrooms boast deep rectangular soaking tubs and see-through walls that frost over for privacy. The dining establishments offer stylish surroundings, as well as appealing menus. Take a dip in the underused underground pool, tiled in navy blue mosaics, and then head over to the award-winning Akasha spa. Don't skip the in-house breakfast, as Mamilla takes the Israeli morning repast to a whole new level. Visitors also have complimentary access to the David Citadel's outdoor pool.

The side-street location in the center of town—on a pedestrian-only block with shops and restaurants just outside the front door—adds to the serenity of this reasonably priced hotel. The lobby is an aesthetic blend of rough limestone walls, parquet and flagstone floors, and faux-leather sofas. The modestly sized rooms have flat-screen TVs, large mirrors, and simple wood furnishings. Rooms facing the street are larger, and the windows are double-paned to keep out the noise. The rooftop terrace is great on warm nights.

Pilgrim tour groups have long been drawn to the modest rooms and stellar location (a 10-minute walk from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher) of this gorgeous stone castlelike building owned by the Vatican and dating back to the 1880s. Most guest rooms lack TVs and are minimally decorated in beige and brown, but the architecture in the style of a French cathedral is rich with history. Enjoy a glass of imported wine and cheese at the rooftop restaurant, which attracts many nonhotel guests in pursuit of arguably the city's most remarkable sunset views overlooking the Old City. Rooms with balconies are available at an extra charge.

“The Kings"—the name by which it's still known—sits on a busy intersection, less than a 10-minute walk from Downtown and the Old City. Guest rooms and bathrooms can be small, but there are pretty pink flower boxes outside every window, and a well-lit lobby coffee shop, as well as several seating areas around the hotel. If your budget allows, upgrade to a junior suite with a balcony. The entrance is on Ramban Street.

The centerpiece of this centrally located boutique hotel is a spectacular rooftop deck where you can sip cocktails, listen to classical or jazz music on summer evenings, or gaze through telescopes at the 360-degree panorama. The airy, golden-marble lobby provides a warm welcome. Guest rooms are compact, but nicely designed and enlivened with pleasing prints. Many have views that make them worth asking for. Colorful accents brighten the bathrooms. Breakfasts are accompanied by Champagne and Chopin on the piano. The address is a quiet side street just 15 minutes from the Old City.

Designed by award-winning Turkish architect Sinan Kafadar, this former treasury building has been transformed into a luxurious lodging wrapped around a four-story courtyard flooded with natural light and sparkling with greenery. Greco-Roman, Gothic, and Ottoman flourishes distinguish the fabulous facade. The location, steps from the Old City and Downtown, is impossible to beat. Rooms are glitteringly well-appointed, pampering you with Nespresso machines, iPads on the writing desk, and bathrooms with heated floors. There are several seating areas, including the cushy King's Court where afternoon tea is served followed by cocktails, and the Palace Restaurant, where chef Itzik Mizrahi Barak features Jerusalem-inspired dishes, in tribute to his own roots. The Spa Guerlain opened in 2021, with an indoor pool, men's and women's Turkish hamams and saunas, in addition to the gym. 

Built in 1933, this limestone building with its famous domed bell tower has long been a Jerusalem landmark, and its basic guest rooms have fabulous Old City views. Stone arches, exotic murals, and Armenian tile give the place charm and character. Guest rooms are comfortably spacious, if a bit dated, and include prints by landscape artist Anna Ticho. The gym, pool, location, and live Arabic music performances on weekends make the Y an attractive deal.