Jerusalem Meridian Hotel Studios & Apartments

I stayed here for business with three colleagues for 11 nights in June. It was very cheap - just $90 USD a night, with the 7th night free. Included in the price was free WIFI which was fast and mostly reliable (we had a glitch on one evening but that was all), and breakfast. The breakfast was very basic. Most days it included pitta, hummus, salad, watermelon, cold boiled eggs and blancmange, squash, tea and coffee. There were also some radio active looking corn flakes which tasted a bit cheesy? The rooms were spacious with a fridge, air con and seating. My room had a bath with shower over it. It was surprisingly powerful with reliable hot water. The decor is dated, and the furniture is very tired indeed. The undersides of the chairs and bed were tattered and I'm pretty sure there had been mice at some point. I found some droppings in my room but couldn't tell if they were old or new as the cleaning was so sketchy. The carpet was also very old and stained. The cleanliness was pretty poor. Although the room was serviced most days the bedding wasn't changed the whole time I was there, and had some dubious marks on it. And the surfaces were not thoroughly cleaned. The hotel facilities were also not exactly as advertised. The restaurant wasn't open at all while we were there and looked as if it hadn't been for a very long time. So there was nowhere in the hotel to get food except at breakfast. There was no mini bar. And although there was a self laundry the machines were not working during our stay. The business suite had a computer and printer. It was old but seemed serviceable. I might be wrong but when you come here you get the impression that this is a fading glory. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a family business in which the children of the family had taken over. They are all young and very welcoming and enthusiastic, but don't seem to have a handle on things that are so fundamental to securing returning custom. If they are reading this I hope they will take this advice and focus on cleanliness as a priority. People can forgive old furnishings if they are clean. Breakfast could also use an overhaul. Fresh fruit, cereal and bread would be a real improvement. Just a few notes about the area: The hotel is really well located just a 15 minute walk from the Old City in one direction, and 10 minutes from DFID and the OQR office in the other. I appreciate that the situation in the region can change quickly but I have to disagree with comments made by others about feeling unsafe in the area. This wasn't my experience at all. We went out at night and felt safe and didn't receive any unwanted attention from locals. We felt welcome and didn't feel disapproved of or threatened in any way. There are some good restaurants in the area but these are mostly within hotels so I can understand why some reviewers may have missed them. Try the Al Watani at The National Hotel, The Philapelphia or The Azzahra. I hope that this review is helpful and genuinely wish the Meridian team all the best in the future.