Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has opened its 226-room hotel in Jerusalem. Waldorf Astoria restored the building, the former Palace Hotel, developed by the Mufti of Jerusalem in 1929 with an Ottoman-style facade in the Mamilla district near the Old City's Jaffa Gate.
The hotel blends Greco-Roman, Gothic and Ottoman architecture to create a fascinating space beyond its preserved 80-year old facade. The lobby and lofty atrium promenade has a retractable glass ceiling, which floods the hotel with natural light, and arched windows, to create an open-air architectural style of a Jerusalem city street.
"An immensely fitting homage to this world-class heritage destination, the opening of Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem is a prestigious moment in the celebrated history of Waldorf Astoria," said Hilton Worldwide global head luxury brands, John Vanderslice.
Hilton EMEA president Simon Vincent added, “Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem is a wonderful addition to our luxury portfolio in the region and marks a new chapter of our company’s history in Israel, almost 50 years since we opened our first Hilton hotel in Tel Aviv. I am delighted that we are bringing the luxury of the Waldorf Astoria brand to Jerusalem, supporting Israel’s strong visitor offering as it continues to enhance its status as one of the world's most exciting destinations."
The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem is across the street from the David Citadel Hotel and down the street from the King David Hotel.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 16, 2014
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