In the Best Location in the Capital, Walking Distance to Bars, Restaurants, and Cafes: A Visit to the Renovated Jerusalem Hotel
Those of you who are longtime Jerusalem residents might remember the "Jerusalem Tower Hotel." Today, under the new name "Prima Vera," the old hotel comes back to life after an impressive makeover, becoming an experiential destination in the heart of the capital. What's so significant about its location, and how can you enjoy the city like true Jerusalemites?
Prima Vera Hotel Jerusalem. Photo: Ira Makayenko Everything Happening in Hospitality and Tourism - PassportNews' New WhatsApp Channel
As someone who spent her best formative years in the city - I can say unequivocally that the Prima Vera Hotel is in the best location in Jerusalem.
Hillel Street in the city center is the main leisure hub in the area, and a short walk from the hotel will find you dozens of bars, restaurants, cafes, and even a few museums. It's very convenient to walk from there to major attractions like the pedestrian mall and Mahane Yehuda Market, and transport enthusiasts among you can take a ride on the light rail and discover slightly more distant areas of the city.
Prima Vera Hotel Jerusalem. Photo: Ira MakayenkoPrima Vera Hotel is the fifth hotel of the Prima chain in Jerusalem, purchased at the end of 2023 for a total cost of about 90 million NIS - and underwent extensive upgrades with an investment of about 8 million NIS more. The upgrade included the renovation of 120 rooms, the entrance hall, the reception area, and the dining room - all designed by interior architect Chaya Barak. It is designed in a European style with Italian touches.
Direct view to Hillel Street. Photo: Ira MakayenkoThe breakfast and dinner menu in the hotel is diverse and indulgent, combining Israeli flavors with contemporary touches. You'll find a variety of main courses, a salad bar, soft, hot, and alcoholic drinks, desserts, and fruits. I particularly loved the huge panoramic window in the dining room, which overlooks directly to Hillel Street, turning every meal into an experience.
Pizzas from the Taboon. Photo: Ira Makayenko
Salad bar in the hotel. Photo: Ira MakayenkoPrima Vera Hotel Jerusalem is the second hotel the chain purchased during the war, looking ahead and believing in the future of the industry. Like other hotels in the country, it hosted, and still hosts, evacuees from conflict areas.
Coffee Corner. Photo: Ira Makayenko
The drinks bar at the lunch buffet. Photo: Ira MakayenkoHow to Go Out for Entertainment in Central Jerusalem Like the Locals?
If you came to experience the city's nightlife, I recommend visiting pubs like Glen, Sira, Our Beer, the Gatsby Cocktail Bar, Rabbit Hole, Half-Parrot, Dublin, Pergamon, Shoshanna Bar, and the famous "Bar Avenue." You can listen to live shows and good music at the Blaze Metal Bar, Brasevia, The Record, Cactus 9, and the Distillery.
Hillel Street. Photo: Ira MakayenkoThe indulgent menu at Prima Vera ensures you'll never need to eat out throughout your stay, but I recommend staying one more day for fun in the city after you've checked out from the hotel - and trying the local cuisine. For cafes, Tmol Shilshom, Cafe Bastet, Kadosh, Nadi, and Nocturno will ensure you have a great morning and lunch. For festive meals, you can visit Tzemach Restaurant and Mona Restaurant - for more "routine" meals, you can visit the first Pasta Basta branch at Mahane Yehuda Market, the Asian restaurant Mian Noodles across from Mamilla, Ben Sira Hummus, and Ishtabach.
Dinner at Prima Vera Hotel. Photo: Ira Makayenko
Dessert bar at dinner. Photo: Ira MakayenkoAnd what about a bit of culture? If you go down Hillel Street towards Cats' Square, you'll reach the Friends of Zion Museum (FOZ), which includes nice interactive exhibits for fans of the genre. Not far from there, you can tour the statues and shops at Mamilla Avenue. If you take a very short walk from the hotel in the opposite direction, you can reach the Jerusalem Artists' House and spend time strolling the pedestrian street or Mahane Yehuda Market. You can even walk to the Western Wall and the Old City - but note that it's a longer walk, about 20 minutes.
Night tour with Dror Surmalo. Photo: Ira MakayenkoDuring our stay at the Prima Vera Hotel, we had the chance to join an evening guided tour with Dvir Surmalo, learning about the city's fascinating history, which even I didn’t know. Many intriguing tours are held in Jerusalem with various local guides, and different lectures take place at restaurants and bars across the city, like Nocturno, as mentioned above.
Night tour with Dror Surmalo. Photo: Ira MakayenkoWho is the Hotel Suitable For?
Whether you're couples looking for a romantic weekend, businesspeople on a work trip, or tourists (even from Tel Aviv, that's fine) discovering the city's wonders for the first time, Prima Vera Hotel suits everyone. Its central location, near Mahane Yehuda Market, Ben Yehuda Street's pedestrian mall, and the Old City, makes it an ideal base for exploring Jerusalem.
Prima Vera Hotel Jerusalem. Photo: Ira MakayenkoWith its 5 hotels in Jerusalem and 16 hotels across the country, the Prima chain continues to provide a pleasant, aesthetic, and experiential hospitality experience. Prima Vera is not just "another" hotel - it's a gateway to the Jerusalem experience at its best.
The writer was a guest of the Prima Hotels chain.
One of the guest rooms in Prima Vera Jerusalem. Photo: Ira Makayenko
Prima Vera Hotel Jerusalem. Photo: Ira Makayenko