HotelChatter - il

A New Luxe Hotel Lands in Jerusalem

Jenna — 2009-06-04T15:27:28-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/mamillaguestroom.jpg" class="top"> Jerusalem's gettin' itself a fly new posh hotel (uh, when's the last time we started a story off like that?) According to the New York Times' <a href="http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/new-luxury-hotel-opens-in-jerusalem/">"In Transit" blog</a>, the big J is set to welcome Mamilla Hotel later this month, a 194-room hotspot inside a building designed by Moshe Safdie who also, apparently, designed Columbus Center in NYC. Per the Times: <blockquote> According to Jerusalem law, all new construction in the city must involve the use of Jerusalem stone, a light-colored local limestone, various forms of which have provided the principal building blocks of older buildings, walls and alleys since ancient times.</blockquote> The hotel, obviously, incorporates the stone in the minimalist design, and inside

Still No Room at Bethlehem's Inns

JetSetCD — 2008-12-26T15:30:37-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6193/Bethlehem_wall.jpg" class="top"> Yesterday's holiday filled up more than just hotels in big cities like New York and Paris, but also guaranteed a sea of tourists to religious destinations like Bethlehem, the hub of Christmas. Since a tense peace exists in the area, Bethlehem has taken in record numbers of both pilgrims (some 1.3 million) and their cash this past week. As a result, hotels in the town have been overflowing, forcing even those under renovation to open specifically for the holidays. While Bethlehem businesses hope that the peace holds in the name of more than just souvenir dollars, it seems like they'll be getting that wish no matter what. According to the <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1226/p07s05-wome.html">Christian Science Monitor</a>, hotel chains Mövenpick

Sir Paul McCartney Shacks Up at Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv

Jenna — 2008-09-25T11:07:12-05:00

More than 40 years after the Beatles were banned from playing in Israel, Sir Paul McCartney has landed in Tel-Aviv and checked into the Dan Hotel and will be preparing for an historic performance tonight.

The Dan, if you'll recall, was featured on this humble little website when one of our readers was so kind as to review it for us. To recap: the property is posh, it's located in the city's center and it's steps from the beach.

Reader Review :: The Dan Hotel In Tel Aviv and Other Options

juliana — 2008-08-06T16:03:54-05:00

<![CDATA[Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? <a href="mailto:tips@hotelchatter.com">Send it in</a>. Now, we present you with reader P's review of the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Dan+Tel+Aviv/ian/141123">Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv.</a> Enjoy.<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/danhoteltelaviv.jpg" class="imgborder"><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotels/city/il/Tel%20Aviv">Tel Aviv</a> is a city on the brink. With a daily-changing political climate in the region, there's a constant uncertainty in the air. In recent years, the city has seen a slowing of the once widely reported suicide bombings and other violence and

Waldorf-Astoria Construction Begins on The Palace Jerusalem

juliana — 2008-06-06T11:17:07-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/palacejerusalem.jpg" class="imgborder">While <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Waldorf-Astoria%20Collection">Waldorf-Astoria Collection</a> keeps plucking new properties left and right, the renovation/re-construction is actually being started on the luxe chain's <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/4/18/125723/651/hotels/Hotel_News_Briefs_Waldorf_Astoria_Collection_Snaps_Up_Property_in_Jerusalem">Jerusalem property</a>.WAC decided to renovate the historic Palace Hotel (built in 1929) and turn it into a 220-room hotel with 30 residences on site. Harry over at <a href="http://www.jerusalemite.net/blog/2296/waldorf-astoria-chain-links-jerusalem-to-luxury">Jerusalemite</a>, a Jerusalem Culture Guide, tipped us off as to what's been happening as of late:<blockquote>The structure has been completely gutted, with the detailed outer walls, now a mere facade, serving as the only remnants of the original building. Despite its decrepit appearance, the former Palace Hotel is one of Jerusalem's most beautiful buildings, with numerous carvings designed as an amalgamation of Moorish, Roman and Arab architecture.</blockquote>The hotel