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DAVID CITADEL HOTEL
In Jerusalem we stayed at the 384-room David Citadel Hotel. It’s located in the Western part of the city and is one of the three best hotels in the city. I quickly learned that Israeli hotels are among the most secure in the world. Typically there’s only one entrance/exit, which has a guard doing security checks. For us, they just checked to see if our name was on the registration list and our bags went through a separate door for x-ray screening. The David Citadel Hotel, 7 King David Street, Jerusalem, 94101, Tel: +972 2 621 1111.
OUR ROOM
The hotel’s decor is grand. The vast marble lobby is impressive with its sweeping staircases and snaking hallways. The rooms are a good size and have a fairly comfortable bed. There’s a flat screen TV, two phones, mosaic artwork, a stylish marble tan bathroom with a separate shower and tub stocked with L’Occitane products. Wi-fi Internet is available, which worked for free for the first day but the second day, required a code which needs to be purchased from the front desk for 65 NIS.
NEGATIVES
The only negatives were: a) the evil mini bar which charges you instantly if you remove something; b) they don’t recycle towels and the walls are super thin. We actually had to move because I could hear our neighbor sneezing and talking on the phone like she was in our room. TIP: Request a room without a connecting door and that should help.
DINING
The hotel has five restaurants: The Seasons, Yakimonotoo, The Pool Grill, the Lobby & Terrace restaurant and Scala Restaurant.
One night I had dinner with travel writer Buzzy Gordon at Scala, which serves upscale Mediterranean food. I had cream of bean soup, with lentils and a quail egg, then chicken with sweet potatoes and dates. One late Friday night, after missing the hotel’s incredible Shabat dinner, (300 NIS per person), Natalie and I ate at the Terrace restaurant which overlooks the pool, domes, steeples and towers of the ancient walled city of Jerusalem.
ISRAELI BREAKFAST
Our favorite meal was at Seasons for the breakfast buffet. Oh my God! My friends had told me about the incredible Israeli breakfasts and I thought they were exaggerating. Wow, do these guys know how to eat breakfast! They serve a variety of hot dishes, freshsalads, fruits, vegetables, local cheeses, cereal, yogurt, breads, cakes and smoked fish and herring. I went to town each morning and the service was amazing. However, the crew at the front door is just okay, maybe because they are mostly there for safety.
BUDGET ACCOMMODATIONS
If I’d been paying my way, I would have booked at room at the YMCA, which is across from Jerusalem’s most prestigious hotel, the King David Hotel. Most every head of state and celebrity that has visited Jerusalem has stayed there but for three to five times less the price, the almost equally impressive YMCA is across the street and can be yours for $120 USD/single or $145/double a night. It also has a restaurant that’s open on the Sabbath. Jerusalem YMCA &
The King David websites.
FYI: It cost 10 shekels to send a postcard to North America from Israel.
NEXT WEEK Next week: The Dead Sea, Masada and Bethlehem!
*If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!
SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
Enjoyed your review of El Al and I look forward to you posts from Israel. I believe passengers clap when they land in Tel Aviv not because of the miracle of flight travel, but because they are overjoyed to be landing in Israel. Enjoy your travels in Jerusalem, a truly magical city. Marcy -
As for clapping when El Al lands in Israel—the reason we do it I think has less to do with the miracle of air travel (and I agree it is unbelievable)—and much more to do with the thrill of being in our homeland. For the Jews, getting Israel back in 1948 after 2,000 years in exile was a miracle of unimaginable proportions. And keeping it after so many wars by enemies far more populous is also a miracle..... Theo B – Los Angeles
Loved the part about EL AL, never been to Israel but looking forward to hearing about your trip. What was Business Class like? Lee R - Northbrook, IL REPLY: Unfortunately, we didn’t get upgraded so we don’t know what went on behind the curtain.
Hi. As an Israel, I think the first part of your report on your trip to Israel was very well done. I think it might have helped if you had added why El Al's security unfortunately needs to be so serious. As I'm I sure you know, Israel, since its founding, has been under threat from our neighbors, and the terror issue is a serious one. That is why both El Al and Ben Gurion Airport have the best security in the world, and that is why it has been decades since any serious event has happened with an Israeli aircraft. I look forward to read the next installments. David M - Israel
I think this article was great. I totally admired Johnny's open mindedness after his initial fear about going to Israel. I am going next year in February and just last night I asked a friend to join me and I know she has never been and it is her dream. She said it is not safe and she won't go. I feel so differently...I can't wait to go and I am so looking forward to it. His comment about the passport stamp made me love Johnny even more--and he is right. Who wants to go to a county where they won't let you in because you have a stamp from Israel. How absurd in this day and age. I admire his bravado so very much. I will definitely have my passport stamped as well. Thanks Johnny for a great column every single week…I can't wait to read it and look forward to it. I hope you enjoy Israel and thanks so much for your smiling face and positive attitude. Sheryll R - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Great newsletter! A friend just recommended you - this is the first time I have heard of you. I will keep tuned in now. Found your flight on El Al very interesting. As one who has been flying to Israel on El Al for almost 30 years, I found it almost funny that you were so concerned and apprehensive. I have also used other airlines. Since I go often to visit my children there, I look for the cheapest flights at a given time. I was very happy to see what you said about other countries now allowing someone in who has "Israel' stamped on their passport. Any country that has that policy will NOT see me visiting. I am proud of the "Israel" stamps on my passport! I will look forward to read what you have to say about Israel itself. I have to tell you I feel safer walking around at night in Israel than I do in downtown West Palm Beach or Miami!
Best regards, Muriel E - West Palm Beach, FL
Need another intern? N.S. – Pembroke, FL
First of all, I would like to tell you how much I enjoy your weekly travelogues. However, I feel that you have an obligation to report accurately. Specifically, I was surprised when you quoted the tail number of the Southwest "Green" airplane as WN222.. FYI, all aircraft registered in the US have N as the first digit in their tail number. The correct tail number should have been stated as N222WN. Here is the FAA URL with the details about the subject aircraft: N222WN. Hope you will read this with the spirit that was intended: ACCURACY!!! BTW, I have been flying as a pilot for 44 years, so it is difficult for me to understand why anyone doesn't love flying!!! Gene S - Smyrna, Delaware REPLY: Thank you for the email. You are absolutely right! I copied the number from Southwest’s press release and didn’t double check. GENE’S REPLY: I looked at the referenced Southwest press release, and was surprised that they would quote the tail number inaccurately. Guess that's what happens when someone from Marketing or Public Relations doesn't have an aviation background!
Johnny - Thank you for such a great website. I envy you your traveling and the fact that it is your job. Lucky you! I have a question. I am a retired secretary and on a limited budget. How do I find a place to stay when visiting California that is less expensive than a hotel? When I am traveling that far, I like to stay from 10-14 days and that is a long time to house a guest. I want to be sure that the area is safe, being that I am not that familiar with CA. Any help that you can give me would be much appreciated. Karen S – Pittsburgh. REPLY: Thanks for the kind words and support! Johnny suggests you rent a house or house swap. Here are some links to help you get started JohnnyJet.com/home.asp#lodging
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