Historic site once inhabited by the German Templar Society welcomes the ‘Jewel of Jerusalem,’ a five-star hotel with modern-day amenities, world-class design, and an outpost of the renowned Carmel Forest Spa.
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Isrotel, Israel’s leading hotel chain, just debuted a new member within its impressive portfolio of hotels: The Orient Jerusalem, their only property located within the country’s capital city. The property marks the latest addition to the brand’s Exclusive Collection, which is solely comprised of five star hotels (Cramim, Beresheet, Carmel Forest Spa Resort, Royal Beach Tel Aviv, and Royal Beach Eilat).
Positioned in Western-Jerusalem’s storied German Colony, one of the city’s most vibrant, upscale, and sought-after neighborhoods, The Orient Jerusalem sits at a crossroads of culture, entertainment, and leisure. The property is a mere 20 minutes from the heart of Jerusalem’s prized Old City and is just steps away from HaTachana, the city’s first-ever train station (built in 1892) which has since transformed into a lively district of designer boutiques, trendy cafes, chef-driven restaurants, and unique galleries.
An amalgamation of old and new and a junction of East and West, the hotel itself comprises of 243 beautifully-appointed guestrooms and suites in its newly constructed central building, as well as a selection of opulent accommodations inside two expertly preserved Templar Buildings from 1882 and 1883.
Originally built by the Templars who inhabited the site in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, and formerly a school for their community, the adapted structures will boast unparalleled views and a style that echoes the spirit of their original era. The complex underwent years of meticulous restoration by restoration architect Eyal Ziv in collaboration with the hotel’s principal architects, Yehuda, Dov and Yoel Feigin of Feigin Architects, who have successfully created a new architectural icon for the Jerusalem cityscape.
Designed by world-renowned hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the urban resort embodies the neighborhood’s rich history while simultaneously incorporating contemporary appointments, painstakingly tending to every last detail down to the bed frames and soap dishes, all handcrafted by local artisans. Seamlessly blending high-quality stone, wood, tile, and glass, the property is the perfect personification of Jerusalem’s past and present: a centuries-old city and modern-day metropolis all in one.
The lobby, whose sheer size and high, tapestry-lined ceiling evokes a stately opulence, can be accessed through a stunning glass pavilion that faces the hotel’s Jerusalem-style courtyard. Within the accommodations, an earth-toned and regal color palette allows for the occasional juxtaposition of color through fabric details in burnt sienna and azure. In the bathrooms, intricate tile work and metallic finishings allude to the mosaic-lined bath houses of yesteryear.
As a tribute to the Templars, The Orient Jerusalem has created a small interactive museum on site that allows guests to fully connect with the neighborhood’s remarkable heritage. The museum features a unique selection of authentic artifacts from the Templar era collected from their former colonies throughout Israel, as well as a storyboard detailing their history and a film shot in Jerusalem and the German Colony in 1898.
Also reinforcing Isrotel’s commitment to advancing Israeli art and culture Orient Jerusalem Contemporary Art Collection, located throughout the property. Previously displayed at both the Tel Aviv and Israeli Museums, the Collection was purchased by Isrotel – making it one of very few collections owned by a hotel chain – and was realized under the direction of Sharon Tuval, the only Art Curator employed by a hotel chain in the entire country.
An extensive spa and wellness center will provide timeless tranquility and unprecedented luxury on site. Through a variety of ritualistic body therapies and beauty treatments, the services will extend far beyond the basics, offering an authentic Turkish Hammam and a selection of rarefied experiences from the Far East, including Ayurveda and Shiatsu therapies. Managed by the Carmel Forest Spa (named by SpaFinder as the Best Spa in the Middle East several years in a row), the facility consists of two pools, including an awe-inspiring rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Old City and surrounded by plush private cabanas.
Additional notable amenities include lobby restaurant Khan from Executive Chef Eric Attias, which serves up gourmet kosher offerings like local specialties eggplant kadaif and mezzes, and a variety of multipurpose venue and meeting rooms, including a large conference and banquet hall that accommodates up to 900 people – the largest of any 5-star hotel in Jerusalem. The grounds will also feature two 4-story residential buildings containing 11 apartments with hotel services.
“Opening The Orient Jerusalem marks an important milestone in a line of tourism improvements in Jerusalem,” says Lior Raviv, Chief Executive Officer of Isrotel. “We are honored to bring our hospitality offerings back to our capital city, and to see years of hard work and collaboration come to life as what is sure to be one of the top hotels in Israel and beyond.”
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy.
He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
