Hotel Review: Enamored by the Inbal

The ultimate sophisticated “staycation”

By SHAWN RODGERS
Presidential Suite at the Inbal hotel in Jerusalem (photo credit: Courtesy)
Presidential Suite at the Inbal hotel in Jerusalem
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Having frequented the hotel many times before, I can honestly say that Jerusalem’s Inbal is truly a home away from home. The hotel has an elegant yet very approachable ambiance, and the location is ideal. A quick cab ride gets you to almost any place you need to be in the city. From the moment my fiancée and I stepped foot in the hotel, the staff made us feel special. Extraordinarily attentive, the customer service was excellent.
The assistant front office manager, George Sugar, was very gracious and immediately escorted us to the Presidential Suite, where we would be staying.
Over the past two and a half years, the hotel has undergone considerable renovation of its rooms, suites and public areas by renowned Israeli architect Michael Schwartz. The Presidential Suite, the hotel’s largest and most luxurious suite, has been fully redesigned, featuring three spacious rooms and a terrace.
As Rony Timsit, the hotel’s general manager, informed us, “Our Presidential Suite was designed by a leading Israeli designer to incorporate fashionable and functional furnishings, including designer furniture and accessories. We added top-quality bedding for a restorative sleep experience. But everything is built around the stunning views from the terrace, where our guests can experience the charm, elegance and grandeur of Jerusalem.”
Walking into the magnificent suite, my fiancée and I quipped about how we could seriously just live there. The suite included a large living room, a luxurious master bedroom, a spacious walk-in closet, two beautiful bathrooms and a workspace/office area, not to mention a plasma TV in every room. In addition, there was an expansive terrace, rendering panoramic views of Jerusalem’s Old City walls. The suite’s decor was chic, modern and calming. The living space was open and bright, complete with a pristine white leather couch, two red armchairs and a glass dining table that seated four. There was also a full bar and a Nespresso machine. As an added personal touch, when the hotel learned that it was my birthday that week, the management presented us with wine and chocolate cake in our room, with a card from the general manager.
The master bedroom was spacious, with large windows that afforded great views of the city. We marveled at the gorgeous bathroom with its large bathtub and separate frosted glass rain shower, which was large enough to accommodate three people! There was also a separate room for the toilet with a frosted glass door. All the top-notch toiletries were from Sabon.
After a wonderfully relaxing afternoon, we made our way to the hotel’s Executive Lounge on the ninth floor. It is one of the more impressive lounges I have frequented in this country. There was a variety of couches and tables, as well as outdoor seating with panoramic views of Jerusalem and the Old City.
Guests could unwind in the lounge and enjoy the tasty selection of snacks and beverages that included wine, beer, sodas, fresh fruit, cookies, salads and an assortment of cheeses.
After enjoying two glasses of red wine, it was time to experience the Inbal’s first Winter Soup Festival.
Set up next to Cafe Sofia, the unlimited soup buffet (NIS 59 per person), run by executive chef Nir Elkayam, offered an array of enticing flavors such as Jerusalem artichoke, sweet potato, French onion, tomato and minestrone. Guests also had the option to customize their soup from a wide array of toppings such as cheese, fresh herbs and croutons. I’m not usually the biggest soup fan, but this looked and smelled wonderful.
I tried the Jerusalem artichoke soup. It was creamy, delicate and delicious. Next was the onion soup. The broth was very flavorful, and the onions were caramelized just right. Finishing off the soup fest with some espresso shots, we stumbled back to our room for the night, happy and content.
The Inbal has mastered the morning meal. Nearly every hotel has the famed Israeli breakfast, but only a handful ensure that the ingredients are top quality. Inbal is one of those places. In addition to the traditional omelet & eggs-to-order and waffle & pancake stations, there was a whole array of smoked and marinated fish. There were also separate areas for salads and spreads, cheese, fresh and dried fruits, cereal, yogurt and an assortment of breads and cakes. The service was friendly and efficient, even though the meal was self-serve.
For the ultimate sophisticated “staycation” in the city or if you want to feel like a jet-setter with getting off the ground, the Inbal Hotel will definitely not disappoint.
The writer was a guest of the Inbal Hotel. For more information about the Inbal, visit www.inbalhotel.com or call (02) 675-6666.