Jerusalem Airbnb vs 4-5 * hotel for overall safely
Hi,
We are a seasoned traveling family headed to Jerusalem over the coming Holidays. Wife is concerned about security in Israel and was prompted by colleague to only stay at 4-5 * hotels in Jerusalem. I was going to book an Air BNB for additional space and since we will be in Jerusalem for 5 days. Thanks in advance. |
Both options are perfectly safe. Jerusalem is, seriously, one of the safest cities in the world. The crime rate is extremely low compared to many other major world cities. I've stayed in everything from youth hostels to five-star hotels to AirBNB apartments in Jerusalem and never experienced any problems at all. (Caveat: I usually stay in western Jerusalem. Eastern Jerusalem is more prone to petty crimes like pickpocketing. I've experienced two unsuccessful and one successful attempt at pickpocketing against myself in eastern Jerusalem, so I would also be a bit more cautious about choosing places to stay in eastern Jerusalem.)
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I agree with RedChili's post; West Jerusalem is very very safe in terms of street crime. If you can afford a 4-5* hotel during the holidays, you can certainly afford a very nice AirBnB in a posh, central neighborhood.
If by "security," OP means "terrorist threats" rather than pickpocketing, there's no reason to believe that there would be any sort of terrorist threat against AirBnBs. |
Four and five star hotels can be a wide range with very different attitudes toward security.
There's a theory that one is wise to avoid hotels that are associated (by name/brand or otherwise) with the USA or anything (else) that could be viewed as objectionable, so if everything else is equal, a Sofitel or NH hotel might be better than a Hilton or Marriott. Others would suggest avoiding places that are associated with elites and celebrities, but these are the hotels that are likely to have the best security. AirBnB tend to be discreet anonymous places, so they shouldn't be targets of any sort unless they're particularly upscale and prominent or unless there are things that you don't know, such as a well known controversial owner. |
Rather than creating a new thread: does people have experience with the area around the National Hotel, on E-Zahra Street ? It is in East Jerusalem, 500 meters north of Herod’s gate. Is it dodgy at night or just an impression ? Also is there restaurants around open in the evening ?
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Originally Posted by fransknorge
(Post 31550917)
Rather than creating a new thread: does people have experience with the area around the National Hotel, on E-Zahra Street ? It is in East Jerusalem, 500 meters north of Herod’s gate. Is it dodgy at night or just an impression ? Also is there restaurants around open in the evening ?
I don't know that hotel specifically, but I can tell you that the area between there and Damascus Gate is extremely busy, with lots of restaurants and shops (and other hotels - many of them quite pricey!). The Old City also has a lot of activity. One benefit of the location is that you can actually find places to eat on Shabbat, when most of West Jerusalem shuts down. Although even then, the walk from downtown to, say, the Christian Quarter isn't too long. |
By dodgy I meant pickpockets activity. I also read that in this part a lot of shops and places closes at 6 PM.
I have never been to Jerusalem (been to Tel-Aviv and loved it) and I am trying to choose between 2 hotels. |
Originally Posted by fransknorge
(Post 31557281)
By dodgy I meant pickpockets activity. I also read that in this part a lot of shops and places closes at 6 PM.
I have never been to Jerusalem (been to Tel-Aviv and loved it) and I am trying to choose between 2 hotels. East Jerusalem is definitely not where you go if you want late-night activity. It's very much a traditional Arab place. You'll probably find restaurants and hookah bars open later, but if you're looking for a place where you can stroll around at 8-9pm, pop into some shops, grab a drink or an ice cream or whatever - then stay downtown or elsewhere in West Jerusalem. Also, keep in mind that Jerusalem could not be more different than Tel Aviv. I just got back from Israel after having not been there for several years, and I was stunned how Jerusalem has become more religious than I remembered it. It increasingly resembles a shtetl in a lot of places. It's also a lot poorer than Tel Aviv (which is related). |
I think there are no especially bad neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Isreal is totally safe
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Originally Posted by M60_to_LGA
(Post 31557721)
Ah, ok - that gives me a better idea of what you're asking.
East Jerusalem is definitely not where you go if you want late-night activity. It's very much a traditional Arab place. You'll probably find restaurants and hookah bars open later, but if you're looking for a place where you can stroll around at 8-9pm, pop into some shops, grab a drink or an ice cream or whatever - then stay downtown or elsewhere in West Jerusalem. Also, keep in mind that Jerusalem could not be more different than Tel Aviv. I just got back from Israel after having not been there for several years, and I was stunned how Jerusalem has become more religious than I remembered it. It increasingly resembles a shtetl in a lot of places. It's also a lot poorer than Tel Aviv (which is related). |
I went to Israel on Erasmus and I can't recommend visiting the country highly enough, Jerusalem is very safe the only danger you may encounter is war or any military conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
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