The Walled Off Hotel

This place is well worth the stay. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the checkpoint and around 20 minutes to the town center. We joined Marwan’s 2-hour walking tour, which was extremely informative and gave us a deep look at local life and history. The hotel reopened just a few months ago, and I stayed in the Banksy Room. It’s not a typical hotel; it feels like an art museum, with decorations and exhibitions that tell the history of the Wall in a powerful way. Every detail means something, and we enjoyed every moment. The staff were incredibly helpful and shared their own stories and perspectives about Palestine generously, which made it even more memorable. I honestly wish I could give it 10 stars.

The hotel’s museum is a great place to begin if you want to learn about the facts behind the separation wall and the Palestinian struggle. It has lots of further resources, and the art gallery displays beautiful work by Palestinian artists. The staff are very helpful. There’s an interesting stretch of graffiti on the wall nearby, as well as the Aida refugee camp, which everyone should visit. This is a great base for learning and then quietly reflecting on some difficult subjects, while still feeling spoiled by the hospitality and experience. The decor is top notch and thoughtfully done, and there are lovely live performances on Saturday nights. An amazing hotel with a purpose.

I didn’t stay at the hotel, but had a great meal in the marvelous lobby, surrounded by fantastic artwork. The museum was well laid out and a pleasure to see, and the second-floor gallery featured some great local talent. What an amazing place to check out. A must-see for anyone visiting Israel!

One of the best museums I’ve been to. I learned so much about Palestine, and it’s tragic what happened there. I’m glad I learned more and had this experience in Bethlehem. Walking through the museum and gallery brought up a lot of emotions that I’m still processing. It was eye-opening.