Get a glimpse into the most luxurious hotel in Jerusalem • Video Reporter

March 30, 2014   

Years of construction, preservation and restoration work at an extraordinary cost of $150 million culminated with the inauguration of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in central Jerusalem. The mezuzah-setting ceremony was held in the presence of the hotel's owners, Tourism Minister Uzi Landau, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau. The hotel, built on the foundation of the old Palace Hotel, will compete with several hotels located nearby, especially the renowned King David Hotel, located not far from it and a central hub for delegations and high-ranking figures from around the world. The hotel, which brands itself as a luxury hotel, sets a room price range between $500 per night for a very "cheap" room and up to $5,000 for one of the two luxurious suites. Despite this, the hotel emphasizes that the price is reasonable in view of the service that will be provided to each guest at the hotel - from a personal host to a personal iPad that will provide them with the option of ordering dinner in advance or remotely setting the temperature in their bedroom. Other amenities at the new hotel include a pillow menu tailored to your comfort, a duvet, a movie menu, computer games, a work desk with an adjustable light, a daily newspaper of your choice, a coffee machine, and more. The hotel has incorporated some of the hallmarks of Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world. The most notable of these is the special clock that stands in what used to be the entrance to the Palace Hotel: the clock displays 4 different faces in 4 different languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Roman, and Spanish. The hotel has 226 bedrooms, 26 of which are upgraded suites, 12 banquet halls, and dining areas that are expected to open at the hotel in the future. In addition to the high prices in Jerusalem, you will have to add at least a few dozen dollars for meals, drinks at the bar, and parking in the hotel parking lot.