Mount of Olives Hotel

Mount of Olives Hotel is a mid-range hotel at 53 Mount of Olives Road in East Jerusalem, Israel, on the Mount of Olives ridge east of the Old City. The hotel's main feature is its panoramic outlook over the Old City, the Temple Mount and the Kidron Valley, which is among the most photographed views in Jerusalem. The location is close to the Church of All Nations, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene and the Jewish cemetery on the slope, and it sits near the road that leads down to the Lions' Gate. The Old City is reachable by taxi or bus from Damascus Gate, and a walk down the slope to the Lions' Gate takes about 15-20 minutes, though the climb back is steep. Visitors should plan transport after dark. The hotel is an older building with a terrace and a restaurant that both face the city. Accommodation includes Standard and Family rooms with free wifi, simple furnishings and, in the better rooms, a view of the Old City. The restaurant serves breakfast and meals, and the terrace is the hotel's best space, particularly at sunrise and at dusk when the Dome of the Rock catches the light. Service is straightforward and the hotel suits pilgrims, photographers, families and travellers who value the view over modern comfort. Rates are in the lower-middle range, at roughly 400 to 900 ILS per night, depending on season and room type. Visitors who want to stay on the holy mountain itself, in a quiet setting away from downtown crowds, will find the view memorable, though the hotel lacks the amenities of the city's larger properties. Visitors should allow extra time for transfers, since the road down the slope can be congested during holidays and Friday prayers.