Isrotel makes Jerusalem debut
Isrotel has debuted a new member of its portfolio: The Orient Jerusalem, the brand’s first property located within the country’s capital. The launch also marks the latest addition to the brand’s Exclusive Collection, comprising Cramim Resort & Spa, Beresheet Hotel, Carmel Forest Spa Resort, Royal Beach Tel Aviv and Royal Beach Eilat.
Positioned in Western-Jerusalem’s German Colony, The Orient Jerusalem sits at a crossroads of culture, entertainment, and leisure. Situated twenty minutes from the Old City, and steps away from HaTachana, the project is an amalgamation of old and new, and a junction of East and West.
The newbuild section of the hotel comprises 243 guestrooms and suites, whilst a series of accommodation suites reside within two carefully preserved Templar Buildings dating back to 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 expansive views and a design ethos echoing the spirit of that era.
Prior to opening, the complex has undergone years of restoration by specialist architect Eyal Ziv, whilst the hotel’s principal architects, Yehuda, Dov and Yoel Feigin of Feigin Architects, have worked to create a new architectural presence in Jerusalem’s cityscape.
With interiors designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the urban resort channels the neighbourhood’s rich history while simultaneously incorporating contemporary appointments. With details including bed frames and soap dishes crafted by local artisans, and the wider scheme blending high-quality stone, wood, tile, and glass, The Oriental Jerusalem seeks to present a vessel of the city’s spirit.
The lobby and its tapestry-lined ceiling evoke a stately opulence, and can be accessed through a glass pavilion that faces the hotel’s courtyard. Within, an earth-toned palette allows for the occasional juxtapositions of colour through fabric details in burnt sienna and azure, and in the bathrooms, intricate tile work and metallic finishing alludes to the city’s mosaic-lined bath houses.
As a tribute to the Templars, The Orient Jerusalem has created a small interactive museum on site that allows guests to connect with the local heritage. The museum features a selection of artefacts from the Templar era, collected from former colonies throughout Israel, as well as a storyboard detailing their history and a film shot in Jerusalem and the German Colony in 1898.
Further reinforcing Isrotel’s commitment to advancing Israeli art and culture is the Orient Jerusalem Contemporary Art Collection, displayed throughout the property. Previously displayed at both the Tel Aviv and Israeli Museums, the collection was purchased by Isrotel and was realised under the direction of Sharon Tuval.
Elsewhere, a spa and wellness centre provide a luxury relaxation treatment programme, with the facility comprising two swimming pools as well as a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Old City and lined by private cabanas. Additional amenities include lobby restaurant Khan by Executive Chef Eric Attias, and a variety of multipurpose venue and meeting rooms.
“Opening The Orient Jerusalem marks an important milestone in a line of tourism improvements in Jerusalem,” explains Lior Raviv, Chief Executive Officer of Isrotel. “We are honoured 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.”
