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A Tour of Historical Jerusalem Hotels
The King David Hotel Jerusalem Landmark
The King David Hotel Jerusalem is testimony that when it comes to Jerusalem hotels, many of them are more than just a place to stay. They are ripe with stories to tell.
Let's take a look at some of our more interesting historical hotels, starting with the most famous of them all: The King David.
The King David Hotel is the best known Jerusalem hotel, and one of the nicest places to stay. It was built in 1929 and opened in 1931. Originally, it was only four stories high and had 200 rooms, some of which actually had hot running water – a luxury! Although very plain on the outside, the inside makes up for it with elaborate motifs that are meant to make you feel you are in a Middle-Eastern palace. And in fact, the King David hotel has hosted many royal dignitaries.
Spend some time hanging out in the lobby and there’s no telling who you might see – of all Jerusalem hotels, this the one where U.S. President Bush stays when in town, as have Prince Charles, Prince Phillip and other celebrities, from Ben Kingsley to Mohammed Ali. During World War II, King George II of Greece and his government in exile set up shop after fleeing from the Nazis.
Don't be surprised if you see people slowly crossing the lobby, staring at the floor - they haven't dropped their keys! Inlaid in the floor is a long strip of white stone with the signatures of many of the celebrities that have stayed at the King David hotel.
Kids love this - we've spent more than an hour at times examining the signatures and teaching world history, going through a who's who of the 20th century.
From the lobby, turn right into the Reading Room. The parquet floor and lighting are original. Check out the cool ceiling, too. The table in the center of the room is the one on which Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin and King Hussein signed the historic peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. (The table was lent out for the occasion - the treaty wasn't signed in Jerusalem.)
In the Reading Room you'll also find old photographs depicting the hotel's history, but the most famous event - a tragic one - related to it is hardly mentioned.
In 1938, the British took over a wing of the hotel to house their administrative and military headquarters.
On July 22, 1946, in retaliation for a harsh crackdown on Jewish defense fighters by the British, the Etzel group bombed the hotel. The British ignored a warning to evacuate the hotel, dismissing it as a joke.
The 350 kilos of explosives, smuggled into the hotel in milk containers, destroyed much of the southern wing and 91 people died.
In response, the British turned much of downtown Jerusalem into a militarized zone, surrounded by barbed wire, and it pretty much stayed that way until the 1960s.
The King David was renovated in 1958. The wing destroyed in the Etzel attack was rebuilt and two floors and a swimming pool were added.
Today, the hotel has a variety of luxurious rooms and special suites. Even if the rooms are a bit out of your budget, you can come relax in the lobby or have tea on the garden terrace.
You can also use the swimming pool in the lush gardens. It's been featured as the back drop to several movies (including one of my favorites - The Sword of Gideon - in which my friend Lois was an extra. She can be spotted right behind Steven Bauer, Michael York and Peter Dvorsky as they sit by the King David hotel pool!)
If you are not a hotel guest, the fee is 140 shekel for adults, 100 for children.
They say if you hang around this Jerusalem hotel long enough, you're bound to see someone famous!
"As we had limited time in Jerusalem, I purchased your mini guide book and found it very informative. Thanks!" - Brian, S. Africa
Top 5 Jerusalem Hotels
Spend some time hanging out in the lobby and there’s no telling who you might see – of all Jerusalem hotels, this the one where U.S. President Bush stays when in town, as have Prince Charles, Prince Phillip and other celebrities, from Ben Kingsley to Mohammed Ali. During World War II, King George II of Greece and his government in exile set up shop after fleeing from the Nazis.
