New Palm Guest House – Hotel & Hostel

Warning: If you can't be stopped in booking this property then just keep convincing yourself that you only paid for the location. Be warned that the photos they are posting online were probably taken maybe 10 years ago when they were "functional". It's the reason why they offer absolutely no refund. There was no form of any security at all, the front desk is always missing and not really welcoming. When you ask them questions and recommendations all they can say is I don't know. There was one time that when I came in, the guy standing in the entrance who works for the hostel even asked me if I was staying there- they don't even remember the faces of their few guests. Upon arrival I had a German room mate who was smart enough to just book one night since he was uncertain of the property. As for me I booked and paid a non refundable fee for several nights. I had some friends from Tel Aviv who decided to go on a road trip so I asked them if I can just refund the rest of the nights but it seems they are determined to keep my money so I got a hard pass no, and told me they can just move my booking. It is also noticeable that there are very few guests, like you can count them with your two hands. And so the unlikely event happened when I woke up past midnight to go to the toilet and when I was turning the door knob of my room, it fell off. I panicked and had been calling out for help for an hour and a half before the staff opened the door from the outside, I was so worried as I needed to wake up very early for a tour I booked somewhere else, the guy told me "it's not a problem". Moving on the following nights, I tried my best to hang out with my friends who were staying somewhere else so I come back very late and leave again by dawn just to avoid staying there. Another disgusting thing is their cleanliness standard- THEY NEVER CHANGE THE SHEETS. The staff smokes everywhere and drops their cigarette butts in the toilet bowls.

This was my first time staying in a hostel. I was worried about this hostel after reading the reviews. It turned out ok for me. I checked in ok. I was meant to be at the crowded end, but for some reason I was lucky and was given a decent room with my own toilet and shower. The room was clean with great wifi. It was next to the lounge with a widescreen tv. The first few nights it was nice and peaceful but on some nights it was noisy till about 11pm as people liked to come and watch tv and chat about their travels. In the lounge there was unlimited tea and coffee. There was no breakfast as such in the morning. The location is good as there are plenty of shops to always grab something to eat. The hostel is near the following points of interest: Damascus Gate, Bus station for buses going to Bethlehem, Bethany, Bethpage and Mount of Olives.The Garden Tomb,The Church of Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount, Western Wall, various shops, Cafes, fruit and vegetable stalls are also nearby. The staff member (an old man) whom I saw each morning was ok with me. He greeted me and told me to be careful when I am walking around very late at night in certain areas. The hostel is ok if you are busy going out on tours and not camping in a lot.