Boutique hotel Kassa has opened its doors in the heart of Bethlehem, on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Star Street.

A passion project from long-time friends, Franco-Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan and Chilean-Palestinian entrepreneur Elizabeth Kassis Sabagh, Kassa will offer luxury accommodation and modern furnishings, while preserving the Kassis family roots, traditional Palestinian architecture and rich cultural heritage.

The new hotel is situated just a short walk from the town centre’s Church of the Nativity on Manger Square. Since restoration of the property began in 2016, Kassis Sabagh’s intention was to transform the property into a sophisticated six-room hotel – fast-forward seven years and the hotel is complete.

The property’s reimagination is based on the traditional architecture of the city and its connection to Chile, with stained glass windows, stone flooring and arched ceilings defining the space. Neutral colour schemes, carefully selected artworks and minimalist furniture fill the hotel, while the lobby and ground-floor outdoor patio provide communal space, with a rooftop bar and terrace with 360-degree views of the old city set to open later in the year.

The hotel’s six guestrooms come in a range of sizes, some including private or shared kitchens. Each room features furniture and bespoke textiles sourced across Chile and Palestine, including handmade woven wall hangings, cushions and local Palestinian artwork. All rooms include a modern en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, while one suite boasts a large bath. Bathroom amenities meanwhile have been entrusted to local suppliers, for instance olive oil natural soaps from the Nablus Soap Company.

As for food and beverage, breakfast will take place in the hotel’s courtyard, with meal options honouring Palestinian traditions. A concise drinks menu is available in the lobby and external courtyard, including wines from Ashkar Winery, while the hotel also champions craft beer from Taybeh, the first microbrewery of the Middle East. Chef Fadi Kattan comments: “With Kassa, we reconnect Bethlehem’s history with our diaspora through a space of beauty and hospitality where we celebrate the crafts and tastes of Palestine.”

“Kassa is a dream I dreamt in 2019 in Bethlehem, which my family made possible and today I am excited to open our doors to travellers coming to stay in Bethlehem,” concludes Elizabeth Kassis Sabagh. “We have brought the best of Palestine and Chile together to honour both traditions in the first luxurious boutique hotel of Bethlehem.”