Commodore Hotel Jerusalem

The room was spacious and very clean, with an impressive view of the Mount of Olives. Breakfast was delicious, with lots of fresh food and drinks, and we could eat on the outdoor terrace beside the dining area. The staff were so kind and did their best to make our stay comfortable and relaxing. We’d gladly come back and recommend the hotel.

The people here are the best part. The chef, reception team and housekeeping staff were warm, friendly and thoughtful, and we felt at home. I stayed 15 days with my sons, and the hotel was clean, modest and homey, more like three-star accommodation. It’s about a 20-minute walk up and down the hills to Aqsa, which could be hard for older people, or you can take bus 275 to Aqsa mosque. We paid 400+ shekels a day, and the location worked well for the Muslim area, supermarkets, butcher shops and bakeries. There are also good walks to Mount Olives and places like Chapel ascension, Salman Farisi mausoleum and Rabiayul adawiyah. It’s a no-frills place: no daily mineral water bottles, but there’s a hot and cold dispenser in the lobby to refill all three of our 1.5l bottles, which avoids plastic waste. The bathroom soap dispensers were kept full, and towels and sheets could be changed daily. There were a few snags. The lift sometimes didn’t work, our heater had problems so they lent us a small portable one, and the internet could be slow or unavailable around midday or when tour groups were in. That wasn’t a big deal for us since we had mobile data and could adapt. Breakfast was enough for us, and during Ramadan it became sahoor from 3.30am. There was local coffee, Ahmed brand green tea, mint, sometimes lemon, cereals including chocolate and fruity loops/trix as well as corn flakes, yogurt, hummus, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, homemade jams, sometimes babaghanoush/galayet bandoura, olives, boiled eggs and toasted wholemeal and white bread, among other things. We especially liked the chef’s daily omelette with cheese and tomatoes. I’m thankful for the warm service and for feeling at home. May everyone there be blessed with success and abundance.

The location in the heart of Mt. Olives made it easy to get around Jerusalem. We learned bus 275 and could reach the Damascus Gate, Via Dolorosa, the Kotel from the Dung Gate, Golgotha by the bus terminal, and the Garden of the Tomb on foot. The light train went to Machne Yehuda, and bus 231 to Bethlehem. We got to know the city like our neighborhood and would love to come back. We arrived after 11 hours in the air and were checked in by 7am, with breakfast ready. The Arabic coffee was fresh and the hummus was the best I’ve ever had. Breakfast had a good variety, and the one dinner we ate there pleased even my picky mom. Mr. Amusa, a lovely senior, was especially kind to us. The family business went above and beyond, with great service and clear communication. There were a few small glitches, but they were taken care of right away. The furniture could use improvement, though.

The staff were just fine, and breakfast was one of the best we had in the country, peanut butter included. It’s near the old town, Mt. Of Olives and other sights. If you’re visiting the BYU Center, the place is especially convenient, right across the street. A room facing it has a beautiful view.