מלון שבע הקשתות

What a place to stay and with RSD Travel it was an absolute bargain and we would not have chosen it on our own as it would have been outside our normal budget. The service was great, the reception staff knowledgeable, the food was buffet style, but huge breakfasts and evening meals. Lovely big olive trees out at the front and the view over Jerusalem was breathtaking. So privilveged to have stayed here.

In its enviable position on the summit of the Mount of Olives this should be abrilliant hotel but it is anything but! First the exterior; the paint is peeling off the hotel and the gardens are overgrown and full of rubbish, they look more like a rubbish dump that anything else. First the staff in reception were not very helpful and there was no one available to assist with luggage. I don't mind carrying my own cases but the bedrooms are on exterior wings (three floors) attached to the hotel at first floor level. There's a lift to the first floor of the hotel but there are no lifs in the bedroom wings; so you have to carry your cases either up or down (and there's no one on hand to help). I did ask one passing member of staff but all I got was a blank look and no answer (not very friendly). As I say, I don't mind carrying my own cases but for someone who is elderly, this would more than likely cause a problem. The bedroom was adequate but the soap and shampoos provided were not adequate for two persons. There was tea and coffee making facilities available but these were not replenished (milk and tea bags, etc had to be taken from the dining room) and the dirty cups were just left in the bedroom. Also the widows looked like they had not been cleaned for years. It was like looking through a glass darkly. Perhaps it was a ploy to keep the room shady and cool!!! There are lounge areas in the main hotel block and these are quite comfortable. There's also a bar but this is not used as such and is only used to seat diners from the over-crowded dining room. Dining!! Think of school dinners. The tables are packed close together with just about enough room to squeeze between them. My wife is Gluten Free (and although she was able to have Gluten Free bread for breakfast) there was no information (or assistance from any member of staff) to tell her what was Gluten Free and what was not. It was a good job there was a salad bar as she had to live on this during our stay. And to make matters worse, the air conditioning packed in in the dining room and, for two of the days we were there, the only air conditioning was provided by some antiquated fans. The only thing that this hotel has in its favour is it's position on the summit of the Mount of Olives with its views over Jerusalem. If you don't mind missing the view, then stay at another hotel in Jerusalem