blindman
Sep 17, 10, 1:40 am
Crowne Plaza Jerusalem
Location.
Behind the Binyanei Ha’Umah conference centre and about 0.8k from the Egged central bus station on Jaffa road
Sherut from Tel Aviv cost 55 NIS each, had to wait 20 minutes for it to fill and then the journey was 50 minutes. We were the first off.
On top of a hill and IIRC is the highest point in Jerusalem so not easy to miss..
Just a little too far to easily walk to the Old city (40 minutes mostly downhill) though we did this on one morning.
Catch the number 1 bus from the bus station (all domestic busses are outside-inside are the long distance buses) Fare is now 6.50NIS. Taxi fare will be about 30NIS (didn’t do this ) Traffic can be horrendous and the bus trip took as long as the walk
Bus number 1 first stop near the Old City is just past Herod’s Gate and it circles the city (Clockwise) and terminates\restarts the journey just past Dung Gate.
Nearby is the Knesset, Dead sea scrolls museum (Both walkable) and Vad Yashem (15 minutes by bus 13 and others).
Hotel
Lobby is large and impressive with an ATM and small gift shop. I used points here and was upgraded (Platinum member) to a high floor (1412). Flat screen TV, small (but modern) bathroom, safe and automatic charge minibar. Strange night light near the door which I don’t think would turn off so I put a cushion over it for the nights (too bright for me). Small balcony accessible by French windows. View was of a big road bridge.
Upgraded room key gave us access to the Crowne plaza Club room on the 21st floor. (This was a mistake we later found out).
Club room is open from 06:30 until 23:00 (The room is actually open all the time, the times just refer to the food being available)
Early\late food times\clearing of tables did seem to vary as to who was on duty).
Breakfast was croissants, bread, rolls cheeses, fruit juices and one cereal. Some soft cheeses and other items. There was always a hot item and this was usually scrambled “eggs” (possibly the dried kind) and another vegetarian type of hot food.
Seemed to be served at about 07:00 and cleared by 11:00.
Throughout the day there were sweet nibbles and juices, water.
The evening fare was again nibbles of smoked salmon, other fish, salads and the like.
Again two choices of hot food though again usually nothing major.
Alcoholic drinks were freely available throughout the whole period with a fridge stocking white wine, water and soft juices. There were opened and unopened bottles of Merlot always around. No spirits what so ever.
There were two Internet terminals which were free and adequate for surfing. A scanner\printer\photocopier was there, not sure if it worked though.
All this was $60 per room per day extra.
Depends how much you drink and what use you need of the Internet to say if it’s worth it if you’re the one paying the bill.
When the hotel realised it’s error and wanted to charge me they graciously only charged me $40 for the last day (we’d been there 3 days), which I thought was fair.
Internet is free and there are cheap eats in the cafes\shops in the Egged bus station. Though you have to get through security to get there.
Overall a reasonable stay, upgraded room was nice and the “free” Club room was a bonus.
Location a slight inconvenience unless you are prepared to get on a bus or stump up 30NIS each way for a taxi.
Location.
Behind the Binyanei Ha’Umah conference centre and about 0.8k from the Egged central bus station on Jaffa road
Sherut from Tel Aviv cost 55 NIS each, had to wait 20 minutes for it to fill and then the journey was 50 minutes. We were the first off.
On top of a hill and IIRC is the highest point in Jerusalem so not easy to miss..
Just a little too far to easily walk to the Old city (40 minutes mostly downhill) though we did this on one morning.
Catch the number 1 bus from the bus station (all domestic busses are outside-inside are the long distance buses) Fare is now 6.50NIS. Taxi fare will be about 30NIS (didn’t do this ) Traffic can be horrendous and the bus trip took as long as the walk
Bus number 1 first stop near the Old City is just past Herod’s Gate and it circles the city (Clockwise) and terminates\restarts the journey just past Dung Gate.
Nearby is the Knesset, Dead sea scrolls museum (Both walkable) and Vad Yashem (15 minutes by bus 13 and others).
Hotel
Lobby is large and impressive with an ATM and small gift shop. I used points here and was upgraded (Platinum member) to a high floor (1412). Flat screen TV, small (but modern) bathroom, safe and automatic charge minibar. Strange night light near the door which I don’t think would turn off so I put a cushion over it for the nights (too bright for me). Small balcony accessible by French windows. View was of a big road bridge.
Upgraded room key gave us access to the Crowne plaza Club room on the 21st floor. (This was a mistake we later found out).
Club room is open from 06:30 until 23:00 (The room is actually open all the time, the times just refer to the food being available)
Early\late food times\clearing of tables did seem to vary as to who was on duty).
Breakfast was croissants, bread, rolls cheeses, fruit juices and one cereal. Some soft cheeses and other items. There was always a hot item and this was usually scrambled “eggs” (possibly the dried kind) and another vegetarian type of hot food.
Seemed to be served at about 07:00 and cleared by 11:00.
Throughout the day there were sweet nibbles and juices, water.
The evening fare was again nibbles of smoked salmon, other fish, salads and the like.
Again two choices of hot food though again usually nothing major.
Alcoholic drinks were freely available throughout the whole period with a fridge stocking white wine, water and soft juices. There were opened and unopened bottles of Merlot always around. No spirits what so ever.
There were two Internet terminals which were free and adequate for surfing. A scanner\printer\photocopier was there, not sure if it worked though.
All this was $60 per room per day extra.
Depends how much you drink and what use you need of the Internet to say if it’s worth it if you’re the one paying the bill.
When the hotel realised it’s error and wanted to charge me they graciously only charged me $40 for the last day (we’d been there 3 days), which I thought was fair.
Internet is free and there are cheap eats in the cafes\shops in the Egged bus station. Though you have to get through security to get there.
Overall a reasonable stay, upgraded room was nice and the “free” Club room was a bonus.
Location a slight inconvenience unless you are prepared to get on a bus or stump up 30NIS each way for a taxi.