U Magic Palace Hotel

Never again. This was my second awful stay here, and the same problem came up both times: promises that weren't kept and what felt like an online scam to get more money. We paid an extra 800 shekel per night for an upgrade to a higher-floor room with a view. Instead we got a shabby room on the 3rd floor overlooking dirt. When we complained, reception offered another room on the same floor with a better view, but it wasn't an upgrade. We were so exhausted from the trip that we couldn't face moving all our things. When they offered to switch us, nobody offered to help with our bags. We said we were too tired to move, and were told, "your choice." Nobody here makes an effort. We also couldn't find our room on the 3rd floor, and an Arab worker ignored us when we asked for directions until we ran after him. He replied, "only speak Arab." What kind of service is that? The room was cold and there was no heat. When we complained, a guy brought a small plug-in heater and said, "heat no work. Use this." I paid 1600 shekel for two nights for a horrible experience. The hotel isn't worth even 200 shekel a night. Their lovely photos and impressive upgrades don't match the old rooms and shabby views guests get. If we'd paid another 300 shekel per night, we could have stayed at the Queen of Sheba hotel and had proper service. At the lobby we met another gentleman who said he'd booked online too, after seeing fresh, clean, new-looking rooms, but received a substandard room and felt misled. This place is an embarrassment. Stay away. I'd rather pay a bit more and stay at the Queen of Sheba hotel, where at least I'd expect honest service. The last time should have been enough to keep me from coming back. I'll warn all my friends not to set foot here. I'm going to dispute the charge with our credit card company and submit a false advertisement claim against them.