Renovations are in various stages of completion at the Jerusalem Gate Hotel, located on Yermiyahu St. at the entrance to Jerusalem. “We’ve completed 50 percent of the upgrades and will hopefully finish the remainder by the end of next year,” says general manager Josh Avin. “Once these are finished, we will be recognized as a four star property.”

The hotel has around 300 rooms (28m²) suitable for double, triple or family occupancy, and four 60m² suites with a balcony. Renovated rooms feature new carpeting, furniture and bathroom, in addition to a refrigerator, bedside charging sockets, a desk, flat screen TV, safe, coffee making facilities and free WiFi. The lobby lounge has also be upgraded with new furniture.

The hotel became Glatt Kosher 12 years ago and offers a buffet breakfast and dinner, with the option to cater lunches for groups. “We are one of the leading hotels in the area in terms of our cuisine, especially considering we are catering to a large number of guests at one time,” outlines Avin. “The hotel was built primarily to accommodate groups and we are more than equipped to do so. We have the capacity to offer up to 50 rooms at a time for groups, parking spaces for 15 buses and we are located right at the entrance to the city for convenience of onward travel.” Around 70 percent of guests are incoming, 80 percent of which are groups from markets including Europe, Indonesia, China, India, North America and the United Kingdom.

“We are also very popular for weddings, of which we host around 140 a year, in addition to other events.” The main events hall can cater for up to 500 people and the hotel also has an on-site synagogue and a Mikveh (a bath for ritual immersion in Judaism). Other hotel facilities include a mezzanine bar, conference and meeting rooms and the Center One shopping mall connected on the lower ground of the hotel. “Our guests love the convenience of the center. It takes the hassle out of travelling to the other side of Jerusalem for shopping.”

Jerusalem Gate Hotel has an average occupancy of over 72 percent and works with a number of agents across Israel, as well as OTAS. “Friendly and helpful service is something we emphasize in line with our goal to ensure all guests really feel at home. This has led to a lot of repeat business as people know they are taken care of when throughout their stay,” explains Avin. “I have been working as general manager of the hotel for 12 years and have maintained much of the same staff, a testimony to the nurturing culture we have created here.”