One of the oldest cities in the world, destroyed twice yet not conquered, it proves to be one of the strongest, most traditional and considered to be one of the holiest places in the world.
Jerusalem is considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with Judaism and Christianity sharing traditions that identify Jerusalem as “the navel of the earth”. Given its mythic pride of place in the order of creation, it’s not surprising that myth wraps Jerusalem in visions of perfection. “No man ever met with an accident in Jerusalem; No fire ever broke out in Jerusalem; No structures ever collapsed in Jerusalem.” So come join us in Jerusalem, take a pilgrimage of sorts, especially in time for the most important religious holiday of Jewish faith, Hanukkah.
As Jerusalem is a holy place of course, you have to see the holy hot spots. Take a day or two to visit Jerusalem’s most holy sites within the Old City walls, there’s the Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock (Al-Aqsa Mosque), Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Hurva Synagogue and Via Dolorosa. Or why not check out The Machane Yehuda Market to see, smell, taste, feel and experience the real Jerusalem. Take a stroll around Jerusalem’s artsy and charming Ein Karem neighbourhood, a pilgrimage hot spot for many Christian visitors because, according to tradition, this is where Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, miraculously became pregnant. Tradition teaches that this is also where he was born. Mary’s Well is located here, too. There’s plenty to do and plenty for everyone in Jerusalem, be it a spiritual or fun vacation.
After soaking up all that tradition, beauty and history why not enjoy a modern take on Jerusalem, check into The Mamilla Hotel - a quintessentially urban structure and contemporary to the core while still retaining aesthetics of Jerusalem.
Floating metal staircases arch away from Safdie’s stone façades under sloping glass and steel ceilings playing with the city’s light and come off as though they themselves are white beams of morning light, to the generally minimalistic yet aesthetic and heavily rusticated tradional stone will remind you that you are in one of the oldest cities of the world.
Each room has hardwood floors, custom made furniture paired with gorgeous local finds, and bathrooms featuring rectangular bathtubs selectively shielded by liquid crystal walls that frost over with the touch of a button for privacy – pure luxury. Who’s to say you can’t enjoy a bit of old and new?
The Mamilla Hotel also boasts a gorgeous rooftop outdoor longe and restaurant where guest can enjoy looking over the awe inspiring Old City to the Mamilla Café where you can enjoy a much more informal comfortable dining experience. We can’t possibly forget to mention the one of the hotel’s highlights - the Mirror Bar, in which you can enjoy cocktails and traditional drinks in a softly lit, mirror lined room. The Espresso Bar at The Mamilla Hotel’s lobby welcomes locals for their pre-work coffee and chat, giving them a minute taste of the simple and refreshing style that seamlessly stirs traditional flavours in with unparalleled contemporary, international elegance #wishyouwerehere
Text: Mpona Lebajoa
