Alegria Boutique Hotel

We booked the hotel for our pre-wedding photos and the night after the wedding. It’s really quiet and has such a beautiful, peaceful, laid-back feel. Most of the staff were lovely and patient, but a few made us feel uncomfortable about the people coming to help us get ready for the photo shoot. I’d called ahead and arranged that with the hotel, so it was upsetting to have that happen.

The staff made us feel cared for from check-in to the end of our stay. They were so kind and helpful, and really went out of their way for us. We loved unwinding in the garden by the fish pond and splashing water, and there’s also a small pool plus wet and dry saunas. The grape-covered rooftop is a lovely place to sit with a glass of wine and take in the village view. Our room was spotless and comfortable, with snacks, wine, and coffee waiting for us. The whole hotel mixes modern comfort with old Ein Karem style in a really appealing way. Breakfast was fresh, generous, and delicious, and they served it wherever we chose to sit. We came for a romantic getaway and couldn’t have asked for a better stay. We’ll be back.

We had a clean, comfortable room, and both the home-cooked breakfast and evening meal were delicious. The staff were very friendly and helpful. It’s a cozy little hotel with a nice garden, a tiny pool, and a roof terrace looking over the village. With a car, it’s a handy base for visiting Jerusalem Old City. Mamila parking by Jaffa Gate is about a 15-minute drive away.

Breakfast service was the biggest disappointment. We sat outside for half an hour without anyone coming over, even after we told reception where we were. Drinks took ages, and the food took even longer. For what you pay per night, having to squeeze your own oranges for a glass of juice felt pretty ridiculous. Most of the staff were amateurs, and the service didn’t meet basic standards. It’s a shame, because the hotel could be great. We booked a month ahead and were really looking forward to the vacation, but the room we got looked very different from the website. Reception explained only after we arrived that rooms in the same category vary a lot, and we’d needed to request a specific room number. We stayed two nights and ordered breakfast. The service and room issues brought it down to three stars for me, not five.