American Colony Hotel

The American Colony Hotel sits at 1 Louis Vincent Street in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, Israel, about a ten-minute drive or a longer walk from Damascus Gate and the Old City. The location is quieter and more residential than the downtown hotels, which suits guests who prefer a retreat after days of sightseeing, and taxis to the Old City, the Mount of Olives and the Israel Museum are short and inexpensive. The core of the property is a nineteenth-century pasha's palace built around a shaded stone courtyard, and it later became the home of an American Christian community before opening as a hotel. Its reputation rests on that history, with a long guest list of diplomats, journalists and negotiators, and on a deliberately unhurried, bohemian atmosphere with arched windows, painted tiles, antiques and thick stone walls. Rooms are offered as Standard, Superior and Suite categories, each different in layout and decor, and many open onto the courtyard or the garden. Amenities include an outdoor pool, a spa, a garden, a bar, a bookshop and free wifi. Dining is a strong point. The Arabesque restaurant serves Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes in the courtyard, the cellar bar is a long-standing meeting place for locals and visitors, and the breakfast is usually a generous spread of salads, cheeses, breads and eggs. The service character is personal and discreet rather than corporate, and the staff are used to helping with guided tours, transfers and onward travel to Bethlehem or the West Bank. The property suits couples, independent travellers and those interested in the political and cultural history of the city. Rates of roughly 1,200 to 2,600 ILS per night place it in the luxury category, and the courtyard and garden areas give it a calm atmosphere that is difficult to find in the busier parts of Jerusalem.