8 Best Hotels in Center City, Jerusalem

In this stylish boutique lodging named after Arthur Balfour (of the famed Balfour Declaration that promised the Jews a national home in Palestine), guest rooms feature unusual black-and-white tile floors, comfortable leather armchairs, and soothing periwinkle walls. Try to reserve one of the few rooms with modest balconies. An abundant breakfast is served in the charming lobby with wooden furniture or outside in a small garden. There's an evening happy hour with complimentary drinks and refreshments every day except Saturday.

A combination of stellar service and delightful rooms heralded this first of many boutique hotels in the historic Nahalat Shiva neighborhood, in the heart of downtown Jerusalem. A generous breakfast is served in the lobby, where the ceilings are covered with silk-screened historical photos. You can enjoy an open-air terrace or a lounge with working fireplace. The modern rooms are decorated in sophisticated shades of red and dove gray. The daily happy hour includes complimentary glasses of wine, fruit, and cookies.

Named after the British-Jewish politician who governed Israel during the Mandate, Herbert Samuel is a widely celebrated hotel in the downtown area. Guest rooms are chicly decorated in warm tones of grayish beige and include espresso machines and free international calls from the land line. The lobby is modern and whimsical; you can enjoy a cocktail and a book from the wall library as you sit on a sapphire blue couch. The real draw is the underground pool and saunas, where daybeds, a vintage portrait of Jerusalem, and classical music inspire pure relaxation.

The guest rooms at this 11-story landmark in the middle of the hotel district are a bit compact, but thoughtful lighting, well-placed furnishings, and interesting artwork make a difference. It's worth spending a bit more to stay in one of the updated rooms, which have loads of light and are more spacious. Modern touches include flat-screen TVs and handy writing desks. The rooftop terrace has a 360-degree view of Jerusalem.

An unbeatable location and lovely rooftop terrace make this a welcome addition to the neighborhood's growing list of boutique hotels. The spare lobby is tiled in black marble, and one wall is made of fuschia-color glass. More expensive rooms have pocket-size balconies where you can watch the neighbors go about their day, although the local hangouts make it noisier at night. There are 18 free parking spaces underground, as well as complimentary access to a local gym.

Pilgrim tour groups have long been drawn to the modest rooms and stellar location (a 10-minute walk from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher) of this gorgeous stone castlelike building owned by the Vatican and dating back to the 1880s. Most guest rooms lack TVs and are minimally decorated in beige and brown, but the architecture in the style of a French cathedral is rich with history. Enjoy a glass of imported wine and cheese at the rooftop restaurant, which attracts many nonhotel guests in pursuit of arguably the city's most remarkable sunset views overlooking the Old City. Rooms with balconies are available at an extra charge.

“The Kings"—the name by which it's still known—sits on a busy intersection, less than a 10-minute walk from Downtown and the Old City. Guest rooms and bathrooms can be small, but there are pretty pink flower boxes outside every window, and a well-lit lobby coffee shop, as well as several seating areas around the hotel. If your budget allows, upgrade to a junior suite with a balcony. The entrance is on Ramban Street.

The centerpiece of this centrally located boutique hotel is a spectacular rooftop deck where you can sip cocktails, listen to classical or jazz music on summer evenings, or gaze through telescopes at the 360-degree panorama. The airy, golden-marble lobby provides a warm welcome. Guest rooms are compact, but nicely designed and enlivened with pleasing prints. Many have views that make them worth asking for. Colorful accents brighten the bathrooms. Breakfasts are accompanied by Champagne and Chopin on the piano. The address is a quiet side street just 15 minutes from the Old City.