Trip with Grandfather to Israel - Hotel help please

[doublejay]

I am accompanying my grandfather on a trip to Israel for 7 days starting July 10th.

I don't know which hotels are good, which have good rates, and which are accommodating for the elderly (walking is difficult for him - but k'ah he can get around decently).

Anyone have any recommendations? What should we expect to pay? Is it possible to keep it under $150/per night at a decent place in Yerushalayim? Do prices go down for full week stays?

Thanks.

p.s. A nice frum crowd would be a plus.

[PlatinumGuy]

Everything is very relative, its impossible to objectively answer your questions. Check rates at the Mamilla.

[doublejay]

Check rates at the Mamilla.

Mamilla is expensive IIRC.

I am just looking for the best of the typical places. Mehadrin breakfast, decent rooms, decent prices. etc.

Anyone have any favorites? Any price shopping tips?

[A3]

How much is Prima Palace?

[Jkhein]

Prima palace is a good option, and so is grand court hotel. Find out prices from the local Israeli agents, castles, Artzeinu etc.

[doublejay]

Prima palace is a good option, and so is grand court hotel.

I'm showing about $150/pn for Prima and $160/pn for Grand Court - sound reasonable? Which is better?

Find out prices from the local Israeli agents, castles, Artzeinu etc.

Castles? Artzeinu?

(sorry real newbie for hotels)

[U-no-me!]

Castles? Artzeinu?

or   travel deal

http://www.traveldealisrael.com/

http://www.castlesil.com/

http://artzeinu.co.il/

[PlatinumGuy]

Meridien dead see is 3k spg for weekday and 2k for weekend

[gozalim]

Meridien dead see is 3k spg for weekday and 2k for weekend

I am accompanying my grandfather on a trip to Israel for 7 days starting July 10th.

I don't know which hotels are good, which have good rates, and which are accommodating for the elderly (walking is difficult for him - but k'ah he can get around decently).

Anyone have any recommendations? What should we expect to pay? Is it possible to keep it under $150/per night at a decent place in Yerushalayim? Do prices go down for full week stays?

Thanks.

p.s. A nice frum crowd would be a plus.

[mek]

I'm showing about $150/pn for Prima and $160/pn for Grand Court - sound reasonable? Which is better?

While the grand court may be a little nicer its slightly in east jerusalem in an arab area. Not far in but enough. The prima kings is in middle of town with a great location in rechavia/sharei chessed and not far from ben yehuda area. Its also right next to the great synagogue and about a 20 min walk to the kotel as well. I would probably go with the Prima the grand court is not nice enough to give up the location that the prima offers. I also think the hechsher is good in the prima while the grand court may not be but not sure about that

[Yitz]

How about a place called Tovie Hair or something like that. It is off Malchie Yisroel. It is a Senior citizen home that used to be a Hotel. Younger people still go .

[Jkhein]

While the grand court may be a little nicer its slightly in east jerusalem in an arab area. Not far in but enough. The prima kings is in middle of town with a great location in rechavia/sharei chessed and not far from ben yehuda area. Its also right next to the great synagogue and about a 20 min walk to the kotel as well. I would probably go with the Prima the grand court is not nice enough to give up the location that the prima offers. I also think the hechsher is good in the prima while the grand court may not be but not sure about that

Also an option, but that needs a car more to get around. Above we were talking about prima palace/merkaz, by davidka. 

How about a place called Tovie Hair or something like that. It is off Malchie Yisroel. It is a Senior citizen home that used to be a Hotel. Younger people still go .

thats a good idea too!

[doublejay]

or   travel deal

http://www.traveldealisrael.com/

http://www.castlesil.com/

http://artzeinu.co.il/

Contacted castles - Here is their quotes:
Prima Palace:
$132/night /couple incl breakfast
$188/Friday night/couple incl breakfast

Ramada:
6 nights,(without shabbat)
$193/night/couple incl breakfast
7 nights
$178/night /couple incl breakfast

Leonardo plaza:
$190/night /couple incl breakfast


Prima seems like a really good location based on a quick look at the map.....thoughts?

Also, my grandfather mentioned the Renaissance. Is that the same as Ramada? Recommended?

[Yitz]

Contacted castes - Here is their quotes:
Prima Palace:
$132/night /couple incl breakfast
$188/Friday night/couple incl breakfast

Ramada:
6 nights,(without shabbat)
$193/night/couple incl breakfast
7 nights
$178/night /couple incl breakfast

Leonardo plaza:
$190/night /couple incl breakfast


Prima seems like a really good location based on a quick look at the map.....thoughts?

Also, my grandfather mentioned the Renaissance. Is that the same as Ramada? Recommended?

Ramada and Renaissance are the same. This is a very nice hotel. In my opinion not a great neighborhood for shabbos.

[doublejay]

Leonardo plaza:
$190/night /couple incl breakfast

Spoke to Artzeinu. They said Leonardo is $185ish a night for month of July which is the lowest they have ever seen and it is usually around $250-300.

Seems like a good location. Worth the upgrade from Prima Palace? (about $50 more per night)

[Ergel]

Spoke to Artzeinu. They said Leonardo is $185ish a night for month of July which is the lowest they have ever seen and it is usually around $250-300.

Seems like a good location. Worth the upgrade from Prima Palace? (about $50 more per night)

I think so

[Yitz]

+1 Leonardo is nice and is a good location

[doublejay]

+1 Leonardo is nice and is a good location

Okay. Grandpa is cool with the Leonardo. I will call travel agent in morning to book. (No use trying the Leonardo direct and haggling for even better rate at these prices, right?)

Only other arrangement I have left is cell phones and for only 7 days I think I am going to go for the tourist-trap method of one of those $5 a day unlimited phones. Not worth the hassle to save $10-15 on one of the cheap In-Israel options me thinks...

Edit: Found amp cellular which seems to offer $3 a day (+$1 for phone rental if you don't have one)...might go for that instead....dunno yet how easy pickup is though....anyone use them? [http://www.ampcellular.com/]