Jerusalem’s Prima Royale offers a quiet city getaway.
By JASON MESKINJerusalem’s Prima Royale hotel(photo credit: PR)
Jerusalem’s Prima Royale is a wonderful spot to suggest when friends come to visit from out of the area.Although located only minutes away from the bustling commercial Keren Hayesod Street, the hotel is situated in a relatively quiet, high-end quaint neighborhood. It is also within walking distance of the Old City and the Western Wall.The hotel, previously known as The Windmill, was recently bought and renovated by the Prima hotel group and is now one of the hotel chain’s three locations in the capital.The reception area is warm and friendly, boasting a large and airy lobby with comfortable sitting areas arranged around coffee tables.With 126 stylish guest rooms and suites, the Prima Royale has been tagged by the chain with a culture and art theme. Between Sunday and Friday, each morning’s kosher breakfast buffet – included in the price of the room – is accompanied by live piano music, a tradition billed as “Champagne and Chopin.”In the hours before Shabbat, the hotel lobby plays host to a cocktail hour (actually, two-hours) and jazz session, with musicians brought in to provide a relaxing atmosphere to the end of the week. On the lower level of the hotel, an ongoing exhibition features the works of Jerusalem artists. The paintings are available for guests’ viewing pleasure and purchase.The hotel has also undergone some exciting changes after a considerable renovation.These include a spa and fitness center and a rooftop bar and cafe that offer spectacular views of the city.I admit that I am pretty easy to please when it comes to a hotel room – all I need is a clean, comfortable bed and bathroom.When visiting a city, I feel that one should go out and explore rather than sit in a hotel room, so anything more than the basics is icing on the cake for me.The junior suite at the Prima Royale was decorated in a tasteful manner. Once securely in our quarters, however, we had time to appreciate the design that served up a mixture of old and new. There was a retro-looking couch in one corner of the room, offset by a flat-screen TV on the wall and augmented by a wealth of fluffy pillows on the bed and towels in the bathroom.Complete with a complimentary platter of fruit, a large bottle of mineral water and a box of chocolates, there was a mini fridge and kettle with an assortment of teas and coffees.After a wonderfully relaxing afternoon, we were treated to a delicious Shabbat buffet dinner. The dining room was not full or noisy, there were no lines at the various stations, and the serving platters and chafing dishes were refilled on a regular basis, meaning that the food was always fresh and hot. On offer were some delicious dishes such as spring chicken, duck breast in orange sauce and grilled salmon, as well as a variety of salads and cooked vegetables.Our breakfast the next morning was excellent. There are separate areas for salads and spreads, smoked fish, cheese, fresh and dried fruits, cereal, yohurt, eggs and an assortment of breads and cakes All in all, staying at the Prima Royale was a great way to spend time away from the city in the city. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and comfortable without being overbearing. The writer was a guest of the hotel.Prima RoyaleKosher3 Mendele Mocher Sfarim St., JerusalemTel: (02) 560-7111
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