What comes to mind when you think of a summer vacation with kids? Here are a few guesses: a pool, an all-inclusive deal so you don’t have to cook, games to keep the kids entertained, and of course, a grandmother or babysitter to take over when you need a break. It’s unlikely you’d imagine yourself at one of Israel’s most luxurious hotels, especially in Jerusalem.
With many Israelis staying in the country this summer due to high costs of flights and vacations abroad, tourists hesitant to visit, and the current security situation limiting travel, the Waldorf Astoria has decided to appeal to families during July and August.
What does it mean for a luxury hotel to appeal to families? Spoiler: there are no slides in the intimate pool or shows in grand halls. So, what is there?
What awaits you and your children?
Upon entering the hotel, children become part of the experience. They have their own check-in, complete with a photo for a passport that includes puzzles and stamps from various hotel areas. While the children enjoyed the game, it was mediated by parents as everything is currently in English—another sign of the hotel's tourist clientele. The hotel has promised to update the booklets to Hebrew so that children who can read will be able to enjoy the puzzles and questions on their own. Kids also receive a drawing and coloring kit, and an Astor pillow—the Waldorf Astoria children’s mascot. In the rooms, children have their own robes and slippers, and those with babies receive a small toiletries package.
In the food department, a child-sized breakfast buffet allows for some independence. The food selection is not particularly healthy, featuring pancakes, waffles with colorful toppings, children’s cereals, yogurts and puddings, fruit and vegetable skewers, mini pizzas, a variety of juices, chocolate, and marshmallows. But vacation sugar calories don’t count, so it’s all good.
The breakfast here is incredibly varied, including à la carte dishes like eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, spinach, and hollandaise sauce on brioche toast, French toast with maple syrup, chocolate, and fruit. Needless to say, the kids were very happy.
For those who don't want to step outside into the sweltering Jerusalem heat, dinner can be had on the hotel’s beautiful terrace overlooking the city. The TERRACE offers a menu of cocktails, alcohol, and lighter evening dishes.
A Highly Sought-After and Expensive Summer Commodity
Another new feature is a playroom with a small gymboree for toddlers, toys, board games, a billiard table, and more. The room operates seven days a week (Sunday-Thursday 9:30-18:30, Friday 10:00-17:00, Saturday 10:00-19:00) and includes a children’s instructor to oversee playtime.
Despite being labeled a 'kids club,' it’s not comparable to those found in Club Med hotels. When we visited midweek, all the facilities were available for use. A particularly sweet moment was when two foreign ultra-Orthodox children played with our kids. This is something special in these crazy times.
In addition to these activities, the hotel has a heated indoor pool, which was relatively empty during our stay, giving us a private pool experience—a highly sought-after and expensive summer commodity.
The Waldorf Astoria has 226 rooms and suites spread across 10 floors. All rooms are highly decorated and furnished, with the smallest room being 37 square meters—much larger than most hotel rooms in the country.
The hotel is located in a historic Ottoman building at the intersection of the Old City and new Jerusalem, adjacent to the Mamilla Boulevard—perfect for evening shopping or walks in the relatively cooler hours.
Generally, Jerusalem is not considered a prime family vacation destination, and we’re missing out. Beyond the interesting mix of people—Arabs, ultra-Orthodox, and secular Jews—the city has some of the cutest and most interesting attractions for children, including the charming Science Museum, the Biblical Zoo, the aquarium, and of course, the Mahane Yehuda Market and all the tourist sites.
Summary and Price
We’ll end with the price, which for many is a significant factor. The price for a family of four starts at NIS 4,320 per night for a family room, including breakfast (two rooms with a connecting door). This is, of course, a price not suitable for every budget, as expected for a luxury hotel.
So, is there a reason to come here with the kids? Hotel prices in Israel are high. Very high. A family room in Eilat this summer will cost you almost as much. It may offer you a pool, the sea, and Eilat, but the price will be similar.
While the children’s experience at the hotel is charming and pleasant, it doesn’t justify a special trip with kids to this hotel, which typically hosts leaders, foreign businesspeople, and others. However, I want to note that throughout our stay, the hotel staff were nothing short of amazing. They smiled and tried to help, from Ihab who welcomed us, the lifeguard who chatted with the kids and gave them goggles, to the dining room staff and the children’s room attendant. It seems everyone enjoys seeing children in the hotel.
The writer was a guest of the hotel.