The 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Jerusalem

With Old City views: At the David Citadel Jerusalem you swim in a heated outdoor pool overlooking the city walls and the Tower of David, open from early morning to early evening. On the roof of the Orient Jerusalem there is a pool with a bar and panoramic views over the Old City, and a second pool belongs to the spa.David Citadel Jerusalem · MahaneAll year round: At The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel you swim laps in a semi-Olympic pool heated to 29 °C, open to the sky in summer and covered in winter; the sundeck lies under pine trees with views toward the Old City. The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem has a heated indoor pool in its spa, with two hammams and a sauna.

In the garden and the spa: At the King David Jerusalem the pool sits in the gardens and opens in the summer months, with cabanas and its own kids' pool. At The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem a heated pool of Jerusalem stone lined with Italian glass tiles opens from June to October. The Akasha Spa at the Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem has a pool with mosaic walls and a heated pool that couples can book privately.

Hammam and rituals: The Akasha Spa at the Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem offers a private hammam, separate steam and sauna areas for women and men, and classes from yoga to Pilates. The Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem has nine treatment rooms, three of them for couples, plus two hammams and a hair salon.Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem · MamillaWith Dead Sea salt: At The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel the spa works with AHAVA products, for example in a Dead Sea salt scrub. At the Orient Jerusalem you choose from more than 40 treatments at the Carmel Forest Spa, with an indoor pool, a Turkish bath and saunas.

At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.

Quiet and intimate: At The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem therapists give massages in a stone house among the olive trees of the garden, and there is a Swedish-style sauna next to the pool. At the David Citadel Jerusalem, the Spa by Akasha offers yoga, Watsu and meditation, with private studios for yoga and Pilates.

Rates start at 274 € at the Orient Jerusalem and go up to 577 € at the David Citadel Jerusalem. Near Jaffa Gate you stay at the Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem from 444 € or at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem from 478 €. The table shows all seven hotels by location. You will also find all luxury hotels in Jerusalem with their current rates in the hotel list further down.

What's always included: At all seven hotels you get breakfast for two, an upgrade subject to availability and early check-in and late check-out when rooms are free. At The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem the benefits apply from two nights, and at the David Citadel Jerusalem breakfast is served at the Seasons restaurant.

Credit and extras: Four hotels add a 100 US dollar hotel credit, for example the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem and the Orient Jerusalem; at The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem it is 50 US dollars. At the Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem a lunch or dinner for two at Happy Fish is included, plus 10 percent off in the restaurants, bars and the Akasha Spa.

Points and status: At the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem you earn double Hilton Honors points and enjoy your status benefits. At the King David Jerusalem you earn Leaders Club points if you give your membership number when booking; the Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem is also part of Leaders Club. The other hotels are independently run, and there the suitespot benefits are what count.

When it's loveliest: Spring and fall bring mild, clear days for long walks through the Old City. In the fall the city celebrates the High Holidays, so it pays to book early. Summer is warm and dry with pleasantly cool evenings, and in winter you experience the city at a calmer pace.

How long to stay: For a 5-star hotel in Jerusalem we recommend three nights. That is enough for the Old City, the Israel Museum and an evening at the Mahane Yehuda Market; with a day trip to the Dead Sea, make it four.