Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem

[Ellen]

PM sent

Thank you! Was able to arrange, and they even upgraded the room for free!

[yitzyul]

Quick Review:
Just came back and must say the food was not good and not fresh
The breakfast while they did have large variety it simply was not good. Stayed in other hotels that had less variety but much better food.
It reminds me a lot like my yeshiva days, for instance:
Day 1: Beet salad
Day 2: Add cheese to yesterdays beet salad
Day 3: Add lettuce to the same beets and cheese salad
Day 4: take the old pecan salad and mix it into the now cheese, lettuce beet salad to create a new salad......
On 1 of the days I actually purchased breakfast elsewhere cause couldnt find anything to eat.
Their juice is concentrate and tastes like petel. Not sure why a 5 star hotel doesn't have freshly squeezed juice.

The Friday night meal was plentiful very fancy, great service, and simply NOT GOOD. I left the meal hungry.
Shabbos day was not nearly as fancy and food quality was pretty much the same. I actually did like the Cholent, so filled up on that.

Pool and gym are only open until 5:00 which is kind of ridiculous, as every hotel is until at least until 9 ish

Stayed there for 5 nights and would not give me late check out (only until 1, and someone waited outside my door to make sure I checked out) even though I know the hotel is 3/4 empty.


I would give hotel 3* out of 5* as the rooms where clean and service was overall pretty good (checkin was 30 min wait as same staff to check in as the valet person)

[tavster]

I would give hotel 3* out of 5* as

That's rough  I'll show you Israeli 3* you'll see the difference 

No question the food is bad, unfortunately

[yitzyul]

That's rough  I'll show you Israeli 3* you'll see the difference 

No question the food is bad, unfortunately

My rating includes the expectation of a 5* hotel. If they marketed as a basic 3* hotel then my rating would be higher...

[Dan]

Quick Review:
Just came back and must say the food was not good and not fresh
The breakfast while they did have large variety it simply was not good. Stayed in other hotels that had less variety but much better food.
It reminds me a lot like my yeshiva days, for instance:
Day 1: Beet salad
Day 2: Add cheese to yesterdays beet salad
Day 3: Add lettuce to the same beets and cheese salad
Day 4: take the old pecan salad and mix it into the now cheese, lettuce beet salad to create a new salad......
On 1 of the days I actually purchased breakfast elsewhere cause couldnt find anything to eat.
Their juice is concentrate and tastes like petel. Not sure why a 5 star hotel doesn't have freshly squeezed juice.

The Friday night meal was plentiful very fancy, great service, and simply NOT GOOD. I left the meal hungry.
Shabbos day was not nearly as fancy and food quality was pretty much the same. I actually did like the Cholent, so filled up on that.

Pool and gym are only open until 5:00 which is kind of ridiculous, as every hotel is until at least until 9 ish

Stayed there for 5 nights and would not give me late check out (only until 1, and someone waited outside my door to make sure I checked out) even though I know the hotel is 3/4 empty.


I would give hotel 3* out of 5* as the rooms where clean and service was overall pretty good (checkin was 30 min wait as same staff to check in as the valet person)

Crazy how bad they have let the food become.

But for non-Shabbos breakfast, they still allow you to order any coffee, eggs, pancakes, waffles, french toast, etc. So no reason to go hungry.

[yitzyul]

Crazy how bad they have let the food become.

But for non-Shabbos breakfast, they still allow you to order any coffee, eggs, pancakes, waffles, french toast, etc. So no reason to go hungry.

True, but not much of a fan of fried/greasy food (and that might work for 1 or 2 days but not every day) items except the eggs . The coffee was good. Even the breads were not so good (never mind the pastries which I left over)
I stayed in the Sheraton Tel Aviv which doesnt market itself as a "Waldorf"  and the food/service cant even compare. (it's not my 1st in either this year). The Sheraton would get 5* +++.

[Dan]

True, but not much of a fan of fried/greasy food (and that might work for 1 or 2 days but not every day) items except the eggs . The coffee was good. Even the breads were not so good (never mind the pastries which I left over)
I stayed in the Sheraton Tel Aviv which doesnt market itself as a "Waldorf"  and the food/service cant even compare. (it's not my 1st in either this year). The Sheraton would get 5* +++.

How does the Sheraton compare to the Ritz?

[yitzyul]

How does the Sheraton compare to the Ritz?

I stayed in the Ritz 2 years ago for a day and really had a bad experience. I dont like to make judgments based on a 1x visit (I dont know if I was treated poorly because of my frum looking, or I didnt "look" rich enough but had really bad experience there). I didn't have breakfast so I dont know. The room was spotless clean and very comfy. Checkin was so awful that I would never want to go back there.

I stayed in the Sheraton a few times and every single time had an amazing experience. Its as if the staff dont know how to say no.
Choose to eat breakfast in the lounge instead of DR and its mostly buffet style, with limited waiter service and not a huge variety, but the chef is there trying to make you happy and makes everything fresh, and nothing sitting in these pots for hours like in the Waldorf. Even the quality of the eggs are better (eggs are different color then basic yellow, didnt even know thats possibile). Want Shakshuka, they make it fresh on the spot etc. They see you making tea, the waitress will come over and bring small glass teapot, brew the tea bags etc. numerous bread choices, pastries changed every day.  Every day was fresh new salads types etc.
Drinks in the room mini bar are all complimentary. Its not that I needed them its just cheapens your stay when in the Waldorf its locked, and they charge for everything.
The service from check in to check out was just a very pleasant experience. (and location is excellent)
 The lounge is open until 11:00 PM with pastries, exotics tea, all coffee types, drinks and nuts etc.

[Dan]

I stayed in the Ritz 2 years ago for a day and really had a bad experience. I dont like to make judgments based on a 1x visit (I dont know if I was treated poorly because of my frum looking, or I didnt "look" rich enough but had really bad experience there). I didn't have breakfast so I dont know. The room was spotless clean and very comfy. Checkin was so awful that I would never want to go back there.

Post in the Ritzaliya thread.

[gmd]

Thank you! Was able to arrange, and they even upgraded the room for free!

 Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it was a help!

[Rivkah]

Hi. 
As a loyal long time Dans Deals follower I need help with the following:
I have been happily staying at the Waldorf Jerusalem since they originally opened.  I find its most reasonable to even buy Hilton Honors points and get the extra night when the rate is 95,000@ night.  I now need to make reservations when the rate is at least 3 times that amount!  Since I am a long time Waldorf Jerusalem visitor, I have made a connection with one of the managers who told me he will put me on his friends and family list so that I can always get the best possible rate. Unfortunately these were empty words.  I have tried contacting him and he doesn't respond.  Yes, I of course tipped him generously.
Now, is anyone on Dans site that would kindly add me to their friends and family list so I can take advantage of paying the friends and family rate? Or, any other good suggestion?
Thank you! 

[Dan]

Play with the stay length to try to trigger the 95K rate, can vary between 1-7 night minimum. And keep checking daily.

[eliteflyer]

Landing in TLV at 6:45AM on a Friday morning in November. Does WAJ ever allow early checkin for Hilton Diamonds (as early as 9:30AM)? And do they ever permit late checkout on a weekday?

[gmd]

Landing in TLV at 6:45AM on a Friday morning in November. Does WAJ ever allow early checkin for Hilton Diamonds (as early as 9:30AM)? And do they ever permit late checkout on a weekday?

 They have let me check in as early as 8am

[tavster]

If they have space they tend to allow.
But it's not garanteed

[Yitz]

what is the nearest mens Mikva to the Waldorf. Thanks

[oldguy]

what is the nearest mens Mikva to the Waldorf. Thanks

Across the street, in Lutzk.
It's not cheap...

[mendoul]

what is the nearest mens Mikva to the Waldorf. Thanks

https://beishashem.org/mikva_directory/lutzk-ohr-hachayim-mikvah/

[eliteflyer]

Have an upcoming stay at WAJ. Two data points: concierge confirmed early Friday morning check in for me “on account of your diamond status and the special occasion” at 8:30AM on Friday. “our hotel welcomes a Friday dinner that is both a la carte and buffet at a price of 650 ILS per person.

[Dan]

Have an upcoming stay at WAJ. Two data points: concierge confirmed early Friday morning check in for me “on account of your diamond status and the special occasion” at 8:30AM on Friday. “our hotel welcomes a Friday dinner that is both a la carte and buffet at a price of 650 ILS per person.

Absurd.
Is that the price for Israelis or foreigners staying in the hotel?