The King David Hotel in Jerusalem, part of the Dan Hotels chain, has finished being refurbished at an investment of $16 million. The hotel is considered the most luxurious and most important in the Middle-East and in Israel.
Today (July 22) 51 years ago, the Irgun (Zionist underground movement) blew up the hotel, which served as headquarters for the British regime in Israel. 91 people were killed in the explosion.
The current renovations at the hotel began in September 1995, and the hotel’s wings were closed in turn. The refurbishment included the rebuilding of all the rooms on the first four floors, involving replacing the entire infrastructure, and the design of comprehensive systems, such as an air-conditioning control system, telephone lines, lighting systems, and modern fittings.
New suites were added to the hotel, in a variety of sizes including four duplex units, and, at the same time, the presidential suite was redesigned, at an investment of $500,000. The 150 sq. m. suite includes bedrooms and living rooms. A kitchenette, bathrooms, and a separate service entrance were built into it.
The average price of a room at the hotel is $400. A suite costs $1,750 per night, including breakfast.
The Dan chain has 2,500 rooms in nine hotels throughout the country. The company’s 1996 turnover was $134 million.