The American Colony Hotel - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

An exceptional historic hotel. Feels like a combination of a palace, a museum, and a hotel. We enjoyed it very much.

Stayed in the weekend. Jerusalem always has a feeling of tension lurking just under the surface. Not here. You are welcomed to this history charged hotel that has a strong bygone feel to it- in the positive way. Service is kind and friendly. Rooms are spacious and full of caricature. Beds were extremely comfortable (although I would prefer firmer pillows). Food was lovely with generous portions and great value for its quality. An experience to remember.

Spent two nights at the hotel – a great experience with nothing to complain about. The hotel is a true oasis in Jerusalem, combining rich history with modern facilities. The staff, especially Diana, Rana, and Nur, were extremely helpful. We will definitely be coming back.

From the moment we arrived, the reception was outstanding. Diana gave us the warmest welcome!!!. Every detail was perfect the food was incredibly delicious and full of rich flavors, and the rooms felt like an absolute dream. The summer bar was stunning, and Fadi was hands down the best server we've ever had!!!!! Without a doubt, this is the most amazing hotel in Jerusalem if you're looking for the complete experience. 10/10!

One of Jerusalem’s most historical and beautiful hotels is the American Colony. While I have only stayed at the hotel a few times (the most recent in early May 2025), I have visited the hotel around a hundred times over the past 25 years for meals and drinks. For me, it is not only one of the highlights of visiting Jerusalem – but visiting Israel. Over the years, I have used the courtyard restaurant for meetings with charities I support and for entertaining friends. The atmosphere is delightful. The AC is a boutique hotel with impeccable gardens located in East Jerusalem. The Old City is within walking distance, with the Damascus Gate taking about 15 minutes to reach. There is a Jerusalem Light Rail stop near the Damascus Gate. The AC’s gardens are a real treat on a hot summer day. So is the hotel’s beautiful swimming pool. Given the AC’s unique status and character, the hotel is popular with Jerusalem’s diplomatic community. A sense of the hotel’s history can be appreciated by walking around the AC and enjoying the myriad of period photos. While the AC is physically beautiful, the staff makes each visit special. Many have greeted me for years, including the two bellmen. Yet two employees have earned special mention: Jihad, the manager of the Courtyard and Arabesque restaurants; and Yousef Habash, the hotel’s principal concierge. Whenever I arrive at the restaurant – be it for a meal or just a drink – Jihad always personally greets me. He makes me feel at home. Yousef is a fountain of knowledge of things to do, transportation, and local restaurants. My confidence in his skills was highlighted earlier this month when many international airlines stopped flying to Ben Gurion Airport due to a security incident, and my flight to Warsaw was canceled. Although I had already moved to a hotel in Haifa, I called Yousef about logistical details for last-minute travel to Amman Airport – just in case I could not fly from Ben Gurion. Yousef is one of the few Clefs d’Or members in Israel. Bottom Line: While the AC may not offer the King David view of the Old City or the opulence of the Waldorf Astoria, it is a boutique hotel that oozes charm with a great atmosphere, offering significantly more value. Even if you decide not to stay at the AC, I highly recommend visiting for a meal or a drink, which I have done so often for years. I am already looking forward to my next stay in June. Postscript: On June 12, I left Los Angeles on an overnight connecting flight to Newark for Israel and a two-night stay at the American Colony. Even when I started my journey, the security situation in the Middle East was already dicey. So I was not surprised when arriving in Newark that Israel and Iran were engaged in a full-blown war. But the period to cancel the Expedia-booked American Colony reservation had passed. I contacted the hotel, not expecting any refund, but hoping for at least a partial credit for a future stay. To the hotel's credit and my good luck, the hotel