YMCA Three Arches Hotel

For the price, this is probably the best-value hotel in the city. We paid $300 per night, including parking and pool access. The service was friendly and very professional, and we’d come back unless we found a similar deal at the Waldorf or the King David, which I doubt. Our rate didn’t include breakfast. We were told the ground-floor cafe is run by a third party and should open at 07:00, but on the second day we couldn’t even get a coffee at 07:35. We walked to the corner instead. On the first day we had an incredible croissant, though the coffee wasn’t memorable. The terrace across from the King David is very nice. The YMCA is in an exceptional spot: about 10 minutes on foot to the Old Town, 7 minutes to Mamilla mall, and 20 minutes to Yaffo street and Mahane Yehuda market. It’s across the street from the King David, where JD Vance was staying during our visit. The room rate includes parking and free access to the YMCA sports center, including the pool, gym, and spa. Hotel guests can also go up the YMCA tower for free, with a 360-degree view over Jerusalem, the hills, and, on a clear day, as far as Jordan. The building is magnificent, full of history and still has much of its original atmosphere. It dates to 1933 and was designed by the NYC architecture firm behind the Empire State Building. It was Jerusalem’s first hotel with a pool. When you arrive, consider parking in the YMCA garage and carrying your luggage the 70 meters to the hotel. The front-drive ramp seemed closed while we were there. Francis welcomed us at reception and was exceptional. He speaks at least four languages. We were upgraded to recently renovated deluxe room 228, which was quiet at the end of the corridor. It was only 18 square meters, but enough for our three days in J’lem, with a large closet, small fridge, and safe. Don’t expect luxury, but it’s a solid three- or four-star room. There were a few minor issues: no towel rack, the toilet was very close to the shower glass, and shower water ran out onto the floor. The original 1930s windows faced the gardens, which was lucky for us at the end of summer, since the city gets very cold in winter. The AC worked well in the renovated room.

The cafe has great croissants and a good cuppa, and there’s an art exhibit in the lobby with free prints of the painting shown in image 4. Check out the market and concerts, too. The tower views are amazing. Take the spiral stairs up, since the elevator is cramped. The architecture is beautiful, by the same firm that designed the Empire State Building. It was built in 1920, contemporary to that building, and lit up incredibly for Christmas 🎄.

You get a great spot in the BEST part of town for about a quarter of the price of the King David next door. If you don’t need top-tier accommodation and plan to spend your time touring the holy lands, this is a great option. The Christmas lights were incredible, with wonderful music and a fair. The bell tower is open for amazing views over Jerusalem, and the coffee shop and outdoor cafes are great. Guests can also use the three-story sports facility, though it’s closed on Christmas.

The old concert hall for classical music is impressive. There’s also a lovely cafe with perfect salads and bakery items. The whole place is absolutely beautiful.