The second of our two stays in Jerusalem, the Crowne Plaza proved to be more comfortable and accommodating than the first. As part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, it’s available to book using IHG Rewards Club points.
Crowne Plaza Jerusalem | From $88/night
Location: The Crowne Plaza is located close to the Central Bus Station which also has a light rail stop allowing you quick access to other parts of the city. It wasn’t as quite as close to the stop as the Ramada was to the Kiryat Moshe stop, but still very much within reasonable walking distance. Taxis are also readily available at the entrance to take you places the light rail doesn’t service, or for use on Shabbat when the light rail doesn’t run. As a bonus, there is a shopping mall located just down the street from the hotel, giving you several dining and entertainment options.
Rooms: We found the rooms to be comfortable. Certain features were a bit outdated but not as egregiously so as the Ramada. It met all reasonable expectations for a comfortable hotel stay. We actually stayed in two separate rooms as we checked out for one night to visit Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, and we found our second room to be nicer than the first. This is a tall building with 22 floors. Our rooms were located on the 12th floor with a balcony view overlooking the city. Wi-fi was available throughout the property. The room had a Shabbat control mode, which kept all the lights and air automatic. We also got a kick out of the Shabbat elevator, which stopped automatically on every floor!
Shabbat elevators automatically stop on every floor so no one has to push any buttons.
Staff: The staff here was a notch above our experience at the Ramada as well. From the start we found them more welcoming and eager to answer questions. We presented minor requests, such as leaving our luggage behind while we overnighted in Bethlehem for Christmas, and they were fulfilled with no hassle.
In conclusion: Ultimately, for our travel style, we would have still preferred a local boutique hotel or AirBnb, but when taking a trip exclusively on points and miles, those options aren’t always available to you. The Crowne Plaza is a solid option for travelers with a fairly convenient location and reasonable rates. If you are an IHG loyalist, this is your only option in the city for reward stays. The staff is friendly and the on-site amenities are robust, while the nearby mall is a nice added convenience.
Be sure to check out the rest of our posts about our trip to Israel and get inspired to start planning your own trip!
How We Took a Three-Week Trip to the Holy Land for Less Than $300 Per Person
Itinerary and Price Breakdown: Christmas in the Holy Land
Jerusalem for Beginners