Monday, November 28, 2016

Progress on the Isrotel Orient Jerusalem and Brown Jerusalem

In a recently updated article from earlier this month on itraveljerusalem.com, writer Spencer Ho revealed that Brown Jerusalem will be opening in January. This Brown, sister to Brown TLV, Brown Beach House Tel Aviv, Brown Croatia (yeah, didn't know about that one either), and the new Poli House Tel Aviv, is located in a restored and rebuilt structure on Hanev'iim Street, on the ed/ge of the Russian Compound and near the ultra-religious Mea Shearim neighborhood. Sounds trendy, right? Nonetheless, judging by the success of the other properties, this will be a hang out for young Jerusalemites. We took a walk by the hotel last week, and it's definitely coming along nicely. Although January does seem a touch optimistic.

In other news, the Isrotel Orient Jerusalem (can't believe this is the name that won! http://timeout.co.il/en/hotels-and-accommodations/isrotel-name) will most certainly not be opening in January, although it's a busy site and slated to open in June. To remind you, this massive 240-room project will also feature eleven residences spread across two freestanding structures, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a Carmel Forest Spa with a sauna, hamam, and Jacuzzi, a fitness center, lobby cafe, and main dining room. Additionally, a conference center will be able to host up to 900 people for functions. Rooms and suites on offer come in a whopping ten varieties, ranging from very spacious garden rooms to presidential suites and colony rooms in two restored buildings, which we suspect were originally earmarked for luxury residences (Read: "overpriced"). They're nicely decorated, with warm colors, bathrooms with windows to the guestrooms, and Jerusalem stone elements, although the colony rooms are quite eclectic, with painted tiled floors, copper tubs, and four poster beds. Suites get a complimentary soft drinks minibar, which is a first for Israel as far as we know. A special opening offer gives 20% off room rates in June, although $364 for the cheapest room seems optimistic for a brand new hotel.

Lastly, the same article announced that the Four Seasons Jerusalem has received permits and is ready to begin construction. We'll believe it when we see it.