Why do Jerusalem’s luxury rentals make great vacation destinations?

Privacy. You’ll enjoy gorgeous views from the large private patios and balconies of many luxury rentals. Some even boast their own doorman or private entrance.

Flexibility. You aren’t bound by a meal plan: You can hire a personal chef to create gourmet meals for you and your guests, or venture into Jerusalem’s fine dining establishments. You have the amenities of home, with a personal housekeeper to clean for you. And you’ll enjoy more square footage than a standard hotel room.

Even price. Some rentals are priced less than hotel stays.

Trip Advisor, which is famous for its reliable and credible reviews, summarizes rental opportunities in Jerusalem like this: “Several types of vacation rentals are available in Jerusalem. Whether you are a group of friends traveling together or an extended family, you’ll find a rental home that suits your needs and interests. There are traditional homes that date back to the 19th century, furnished with antiques and boasting gorgeous gardens. Serene studio apartments are available just a few minutes’ walk from the Old City and the center of downtown Jerusalem. Choose a 160-year-old residence with original stone walls and domed ceilings – complete with modern amenities…And be sure to ask about the views – in some homes, the vista from your window might include stunning Mount Zion or the Judean hills.”

Most luxury rentals come with TV, Internet, and air conditioning, plus washers and dryers. A multitude of rentals sport their own private sukkots, where families and friends celebrate Sukkot together. Complete kosher kitchens are usually the standard fare. Personal housekeepers are also available with your luxury rental so you won’t be going to any trouble during your vacation in the Holy City.

Neighborhoods that boast particularly luxurious rentals are Mamilla, Tabilah, Rechavia, and Shaarei Hesed. “Living” in these areas during a vacation stay guarantees you will connect more intimately with your neighborhood. You will find yourself strolling to your local synagogue and eating in local restaurants.

If you’ve chosen a vacation rental with a fully equipped kitchen, you’ll likely be doing most of your cooking at “home.” Consider using a personal chef to create masterpieces for yourself and your guests. When you do feel like venturing out for a meal, be sure to choose an apartment, villa or private home that is closely situated to Jerusalem’s fine restaurants.

You’ll want to make certain that your luxury rental is also within walking distance of:

• The Great Synagogue of Jerusalem
• The Old City of Jerusalem
• Mea Shearim
• Mamilla Mall
• The David Citadel Hotel
• The King David Hotel
• City Center

Trip Advisor urges its members to visit the “Temple Mount Sifting Project in Tzurim Valley National Park, where tourists can help salvage antiques in the debris that was taken from the Temple Mount. Or, make a reservation to see the Western Wailing Wall and its underground tour. Take a midnight biking tour through the streets and alleyways of old and new Jerusalem, a unique and memorable way to see the holy city.”

Seeking a luxury hotel in Jerusalem? Trip Advisor has the latest list.

Among Trip Advisor’s top 10 are: The King David, Inbal Jerusalem Hotel, The David Citadel Hotel, American Colony, andthe Mamilla Hotel.

Looking at each, The King David was rated by 420 reviewers. It was named the Travelers’ Choice 2013 Winner for Luxury/Top/Best Service. The hotel is a member of the “Leading Hotels of the World,” and is the flagship of the Dan Hotels.

Its website invites guests to “marvel at the fabled skyline of the Old City. Watch how sunset works its magic, creating the legendary golden city. All this in one remarkable venue – the King David, a Jerusalem landmark and Israel’s most famous and luxurious hotel.” It has 233 rooms, including 42 Special Rooms and Suites, 1 Presidential and 1 Royal and 1 Jerusalem Suite.

The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel is also a Travelers’ Choice 2013 Winner for Luxury/Top/Best Service. It received the additional Trip Advisor distinction of being among the top 25 hotels in the Middle East for Families in 2012, and was named to Traveler magazine’s Gold List 2012 as being among the World’s Best Places to Stay in Africa and the Middle East.

The hotel features 283 guest rooms and new spa and health club. Here, you will find:

massage rooms with a variety of specialized treatments, wet and dry saunas, fully-equipped fitness room, water, aerobic and exercise classes, large swimming pool, open in summer & covered in winter, and a toddlers’ pool, according to its website.

The David Citadel Hotel was named a Travelers’ Choice 2013 Winner in the Luxury/Top categories.

With 384 guest rooms and suites, “The David Citadel Hotel,” says its website, “commands a prime site at the most desirable location in Western Jerusalem, across from Alrov Mamilla Avenue and overlooking the ancient walls of the Old City, the historical Tower of David and Jaffa GateﾅThe David Citadel Hotel has everything that one could dream of by way of location and views, quality of design and amenities, unrivalled facilities and a staff that prides itself on providing the best service to our guests from around the world.”

American Colony was voted a Traveler’s Choice 2013 Winner for Luxury. Rich in history, the American Colony was originally established not long after the beginning of the twentieth century as a destination for Western travelers and pilgrims whose expectations were not met by the establishments then existing in Jerusalem.

The American Colony embodies state-of-the-art facilities with the ambience and history of a bygone era. It is a family owned, Swiss-managed boutique hotel and a member of “Leading Hotels of the World.” The rooms and suites are housed in four historic buildings.

“This East Jerusalem hotel, situated on the seam between Palestinian East Jerusalem and Israeli West Jerusalem is famous for its neutrality. It provides accommodation in Jerusalem and is a meeting place for politicians, diplomats and journalists,” according to its website.

Finally, the Mamilla Hotel is a Travelers’ Choice 2013 Winner in the Luxury category. Perhaps its outstanding feature is its spa. Akasha has been votedone of the world’s best new spas on the 2012 Hot List compiled by the editors of Traveler.

Akasha features an all-organic lounge and bar offering a healthy, nourishing assortment of snacks and juices. Also included is a luxury spa enhanced with restorative sounds, music, aroma and lighting featuring a variety of exclusive hydro treatments in a watsu pool, special hammam treatments, and a variety of signature treatments. All treatments are planned around guests’ individual needs, its website says.

In addition, “The Gym boasts the most advanced and cutting-edge fitness equipment such as the Kinesisﾙ machines, a spacious aerobics room and a private training room. Personal exercise trainers provide one-on-one fitness instruction and tailored programs to give our guests the most efficient workout possible. A calming area dedicated to Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates, offering intimate and personalized classes.

Being in Jerusalem is like walking a tightrope between Heaven and Earth.

This expression of love is a product of the Ministry of Tourism, but it captures the most commonly expressed sentiments of visitors and residents alike.

The city welcomes vacationers at any time, but it becomes positively magical during major holidays, as one separates the sacred from the profane. A luxury vacation in Jerusalem puts you in the middle of the action – in comfort and style.

Consider traveling to Jerusalem during Easter or Pesach and Sukkot, for example.

On Easter and the prior Holy Week, Jerusalem is home to pilgrims from the world over. For Orthodox and Catholic Christians, celebrations focus on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where six historic denominations have marked the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus since the fourth century, the Ministry reports.

On Palm Sunday, pilgrims cascade down the Mount of Olives, singing hymns and bearing palm fronds, reenacting Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-10). Maundy Thursday is another highlight.

On Good Friday, a procession of thousands along the Via Dolorosa mark the Stations of the Cross (Mark 15:16-37). On Saturday, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Ceremony of the Holy Fire, when thousands gather to await the miraculous lighting of the Patriarch’s candle from within the tomb. “The crowds are tight and excitement runs high, but the sight of the flame jumping from taper to taper held by the chanting faithful inside the darkened church is unforgettable,” the Ministry states.

For Orthodox and Catholic Christians, Easter Sunday is marked by masses and solemn processions at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Protestants in Jerusalem flock to the Sunrise Service at the Garden Tomb.

The Jewish holidays are celebrated in Israel officially and nationally and vacation days are set in accordance with them. Passover or Pesach is a major holiday in Jewish tradition and one of three pilgrimage holidays along with Sukkoth and Shavuot.

Sukkot is a joyous holiday to celebrate in Jerusalem, where many luxury rental apartments comes with their own booths or sukkots, where families and friends can come together and celebrate.

On Pesach, in ancient days, the whole Jewish people would come to Jerusalem, when the Holy Temple was there, and would offer animal and grain sacrifices.

Today, many families come to Jerusalem to observe Pesach together. It’s an ideal time to visit because it starts on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (usually in April), and lasts for seven days. It commemorates the exodus from Egypt – one of the main stories in the history of the Jewish people and in western culture in general.

On the eve of the holiday, called Seder night, due to the ceremonial Seder meal that is celebrated that evening, whole extended families gather around one table. Come to Jerusalem to create memories and celebrate!

Last May, Israel and Jerusalem, in particular, welcomed some of America’s top TV stars: Omar Epps, who stars in “House”; Mekhi Phifer, formerly of “ER”; Holly Robinson Peete, who appeared in the hit television series “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” and “21 Jump Street,” as well as actors Paul Johansson, “One Tree Hill”; AnnaLynne McCord, “Nip/Tuck”; Holt McCallany, “CSI Miami”; Zach Roerig, “Vampire Diaries”; and Paget Brewster, “Criminal Minds.”

“The arrival of these American celebrities attests to Israel’s growing reputation as a world-class travel destination,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America, “during what is on track to be the best year ever for travel to Israel.” His comments appeared on Israel’s Ministry of Tourism website.

The group will visit Old City historic sites in Jerusalem, among other attractions around Israel. The tour was hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, and sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Public Affairs and Diaspora, El Al Israel Airlines and the Israel Foreign Ministry in coordination with America’s Voices in Israel.

American Rockers Linkin Park Tour the Old City of Jerusalem before their

performance at Hayarkon Park in Tel-Aviv. 

Photo: Ministry of Tourism website

Of course, here and abroad, most movie fans know the connection between Natalie Portman and Jerusalem: the illustrious actress was born in Jerusalem and she is very proud of it.

In February 2011, American actress Claire Danes, accompanied by her

husband, English actor Hugh Dancy, traveled to Jerusalem on the actresses’

first visit to Israel to film the Showtime television series “Homeland,” based

on the Israeli series “Prisoners of War.” Photo: Ministry of Tourism website

 About five years ago, there was lots of buzz when the Associated Press reported in Haaretz that the American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld arrived in Israel in the first stop on a world tour to promote his animated film, Bee Movie.

“It was the 53-year-old’s second visit to the country. He volunteered on a kibbutz in northern Israel in 1970,” according to the Associated Press.

“Seinfeld met with President Shimon Peres and then toured Jerusalem’s Old City near the Western Wall, part of the Temple Mount complex which is Jews’ holiest site, and made a stop at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum,” the newspaper reported.

Seinfeld explained his movie to Peres by saying, “It’s about a bee who’s not sure that he wants to go into honey,” Seinfeld said, as Peres laughed. “They tell him he has no choice,” the newspaper reported.

To catch the latest news of American celebrities visiting Jerusalem or other Israeli destinations, visit America’s Voices in Israel and the Ministry of Tourism’s websites.

Mamilla has the distinction of being one of the top choices for luxury vacation rentals in Jerusalem. Here’s why:

It’s elegant, it’s close to the Old City, and it’s all about the shopping.

Mamilla is home to the famous $150-million pedestrian-only chic Mamilla Mall. Opposite the Jaffa Gate, the mall is part of a prestigious area that overlooks the Old City of Jerusalem. The Mamilla Mall is an open-air mall, built as a boulevard that preserves the area’s architectural heritage, while integrating it into a modern day shopping experience.

Among the designers that populate the mall are Mango, MAC, GAP, Castro, Steimatzky, H. Stern, BEBE, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nautica, and Tommy Hilfiger, Rolex, Gucci, Rado, Lacroix, and Omega. The Nike store has a European design and carries unique and exclusive styles. Other stores in the mall include Crocs, the only one in Jerusalem, and The North Face – one of the leading brands in the world for climbing and backpacking equipment, mountaineering apparel and skiwear.

The David Citadel Hotel and its luxury gated community, David’s Village, are also within Mamilla.

The David Citadel Hotel is ranked #4 of all hotels in Jerusalem by Trip Advisor and is a Travelers’ Choice 2013 Winner in the Luxury category.
David’s Village apartments, which are part of the David Citadel Hotel complex, are known for their incomparable luxury and amenities. Imagine entering through your own private entrance into an extraordinary 3-bedroom apartment on the ground floor. It’s fully furnished, with a kosher kitchen, a large, private patio and private pool. You’ll also find the convenience of a washer/dryer, Internet, cable TV, air conditioning, plus parking. It has handicap access, and there is security in the Village.

David’s Village has smaller luxury rentals as well. A 2-room luxury apartment in David’s Village, for example, may be located on the ground floor. It’s fully furnished, with a kosher kitchen and has a washer/dryer, Internet, cable TV, air conditioning, and parking. It also has handicap access, and there is security in the Village.

When you’re not “at home” in your luxury apartment, visit the Mamilla Hotel’s Rooftop Outdoor Lounge & Restaurant with its stunning view of the Old City.

With a large and varied menu for both lunch and dinner, the Rooftop features fresh ingredients used in everything from grilled meat, fish dishes, fresh salads and pastas, to a selection of desserts made only the way Israeli chefs can.