Top Places in Jerusalem by General Manager of The Orient Jerusalem
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Jerusalem is best known for its spiritual heritage that spans multiple faiths, and the evocative Old City, but it is no stranger to world-class luxury hotels either. The latest to grace its storied streets is The Orient Jerusalem, situated on an historic sitTop Places in Jerusalem by General Manager of The Orient Jerusalem
Jerusalem is best known for its spiritual heritage that spans multiple faiths, and the evocative Old City, but it is no stranger to world-class luxury hotels either. The latest to grace its storied streets is The Orient Jerusalem, situated on an historic site that was once inhabited by the German Templar Society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Part of the Isrotel Hotel Chain’s Exclusive Collection of five-star hotels, The Orient Jerusalem features 243 guest rooms, in both a newly constructed central building and two meticulously-preserved Templar Buildings from the 1880s. But the biggest draw for tourists could be “The Orient Jerusalem Contemporary Art Collection”, one of the only art collections fully owned by a hotel chain, and an on-site museum of artifacts in tribute to the Templars.The General Manager, Amit Bahat, has been in the hotel industry for 23 years. Prior to opening The Orient Jerusalem, Bahat worked at many of Isrotel’s properties, including The Royal Beach Hotel in Eilat. He later became the Isrotel chain manager of the entire Eilat area. Blouin ARTINFO spoke to Bahat about the top places to visit in Jerusalem, a city that reverberates with stories from times long past.What are your recommendations for must-visit places in Jerusalem and why?The Israel Museum is now on the international map as one of the world’s most famous and intriguing museums and Yad Vashem is the world’s largest and most informative holocaust museum. The Western Wall is a must visit as both Jews and non-Jews have very strong and sensitive connections to the site. For kids, the Biblical Zoo includes Israel’s first aquarium which reminisces all kinds of stories from the times of the Bible. At Herzl Mountain, one has the opportunity of feeling a strong connection to the land of Israel’s heroes. [Blouin ARTINFO note: A visit to the Church of Holy Sepulcher, the rebuilt Jewish quarter and the Ramparts Walk are also must-dos while in Jerusalem.]What restaurants, bars, and cafes would you recommend in Jerusalem and why?The culinary scene in Jerusalem has become extremely vibrant: from a combination of authentic and modern style dishes here in the Orient Hotel, to fully authentic experiences in the Old City, to other extremely high-level gourmet chef restaurants spread out over the city. Jerusalem is also known for its boutique bars and cafes throughout the city. [Blouin ARTINFO note: Dig into Biblical cuisine and participate in the traditional “maklouba” ritual, which involves making a wish as you upturn a tureen of the meat, vegetables and rice dish, at The Eucalyptus in the Artist Quarter. For wonderful Mediterranean cuisine and fresh salads, head to Medita on Hebron Road.]Where would you go and what would you do if you had a free morning or afternoon in Jerusalem?Personally, I would take a long morning run through the Judean Mountains in the outskirts of the city, which offer tranquility against the backdrop of absolutely breathtaking views of Jerusalem. Where would you head to in Jerusalem for the best shopping and what would you buy?The Malha and Mamilla malls are common favorites, as well as the downtown area which has both boutique and large chain department stores. [Blouin ARTINFO note: The market at the Old City and the Arab Quarter teem with exotic local wares like Armenian ceramics, beautifully woven bags, oxidized bracelets, baklava and Tahini halwa.]Where would you recommend people stay (hotels, B&Bs) when they visit Jerusalem? Well of course our new Hotel, The Orient Jerusalem! Jerusalem has a reputation for very high level hotels, and I have personally visited most of them and can certainly attest to that. There are also several charming B&B options throughout the city that offer a lovely Jerusalem ambiance at a lower price point. [Blouin ARTINFO note: Dan Boutique Hotel is a great mid-range option in the city center and a terrace that lets you feast your eyes on the entire town.]What are some of Jerusalem’s best secret places that everyone should discover? It would be a shame to miss out on the new tunnels in Jerusalem’s Old City. A lovely area in the city is called Ein Karem where breathtaking nature and history combine [Blouin ARTINFO note: It was the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and offers lovely walking trails with views of trees and vineyards]. Additionally, the Nachlaot and Mahane Yehuda markets have endless ancient and fascinating stories. What are the best places to see live bands and experience the nightlife in Jerusalem and why?The downtown scene has a large selection of Irish pubs and local Middle Eastern type bars; though the two new areas in Jerusalem which have become vibrant nightlife scenes are 1) the famous Mahane Yehuda Market which, at night, turns into an incredibly lively venue and 2) HaTachana (the First Station) which happens to be directly across the street from our Hotel. The First Station is the landmark of Jerusalem’s old train station, and since the route redirection, it has become a lovely outdoor area boasting bars, gourmet restaurants and more. [Blouin ARTINFO note: The sound and light show at The Tower of David, depicting the entire history of Jerusalem, is also worth a visit.]Could you offer any safety tips for tourists visiting Jerusalem?As many international conference producers have told us, Jerusalem has become a new global venue. A large part of that is due to the general feeling of safety tourists and locals feel throughout the city. As in any big city, tourists should stay tuned to their surroundings as per any kind of general area interruptions. What projects are you currently working on/involved in?My top priority at the moment is to build The Orient Jerusalem’s reputation as Israel’s top hotel. We already see guests’ positive feedback, and we are excited for the potential this hotel can reach. In parallel, in our overall Isrotel chain, we are currently building three new hotels throughout Israel, and as a General Manager in the chain, I am currently involved in these new projects as well.Click here to view a slideshow of Jerusalem. Read more