Brown Hotel: A base to see the capital’s wonders - review

We arrived at the Brown for a family weekend and were immediately struck by its surprising convenience. There’s a covered parking lot right next to the building, a welcome rarity in Jerusalem. From the outside, the hotel is a prominent 16-story building that stands out in the neighborhood.

In the center of the lobby, facing the reception desk, lounge seating is arranged next to an eye-catching lattice-style bookcase filled with books for guests to browse. This creates a relaxing and leisurely feel. By the bar, instead of a dividing wall, two long, mesmerizing aquariums filled with colorful fish add a sense of tranquil motion to the space.

The Brown Hotel Jerusalem has a rich history, dating back to its origins as a 19th-century mansion. Acquired by a Persian businessman after the War of Independence, the hotel first opened in 1956 as the “Shalom Hotel” and later operated under different names, including “Rimonim Shalom Jerusalem Hotel.”

Recently, as part of a strategic acquisition, the hotel joined the Israel Canada Hotels group and underwent a major renovation. The renovation, costing approximately NIS 50 million ($14.6 m.), was a collaboration by architects Claudia Yoel Rozenkoff and Shuki Meir that blends an authentic Jerusalem atmosphere with modern urban convenience. The hotel reopened just before the last Passover holiday. While it maintains the classic Brown brand and style, it now benefits from being part of a larger group, offering a wider range of destinations and services.

As the largest hotel in the Brown chain in Jerusalem, it features 288 spacious rooms along with a seasonal swimming pool, a children’s pool, a lobby lounge with a light dairy menu, and various event and conference spaces. It also caters extensively to religious guests by providing an active synagogue, candle-lighting stations on every floor, a Sabbath elevator, and Sabbath keys and timers in the rooms.

According to Israel Canada Hotels, “The renovated Brown Hotel Jerusalem is not just another hotel – it opens the door for guests to the best of authentic Jerusalem experiences.” This commitment to an excellent and exciting hospitality experience is evident throughout the property.

The hotel is located in the quiet Beit Vegan neighborhood on a Jerusalem hillside, offering beautiful city views. Its location is a significant advantage, as it is situated near Jerusalem’s main museum area (the Israel Museum, the Science Museum, and the Bible Lands Museum) as well as family-friendly attractions like the Biblical Zoo, the Botanical Garden, and Malha Mall. Additionally, the average price at the hotel is relatively lower than similar family hotels in the city center, making it an attractive option for families seeking quality, spacious accommodations, and a variety of recreational choices at a more reasonable price.

Our room, on the 15th floor, was a spacious family one. Upon entering, the beautiful and pleasant herringbone parquet floor immediately caught our eye. Though there was no balcony, the entire exterior wall was a massive, floor-to-ceiling window offering a breathtaking urban view. In the evening, we played a family game of identifying the landmarks, like the brightly lit Knesset building and the new National Library. The large double bed was positioned directly in front of the window, so we could admire the urban view even while lying down.

The room itself was designed for maximum comfort and included everything we needed: two televisions, a cozy sitting area, a desk with a mini-fridge and kettle, and a closet with a safe. The lighting was efficient and comfortable, and during the hot hours, the room was a pleasant refuge where we spent time playing family card games like Taki.

The bathroom also reflected the high level of comfort, covered entirely in marble. It featured a large shower with a luxurious rain shower head, a wide counter on both sides of the sink, and a mirror with built-in lighting and a defogging mechanism. The attention to small details was evident here as well, with the hotel providing pre-cut toilet paper for Shabbat.

We ate our meals in the hotel’s dining room, which is surprisingly located on the third floor. The kosher meals are served buffet-style, offering a diverse selection of starters, main courses, and desserts. The buffet was impressive even during quieter times, with small, elegantly presented dishes of antipasti.

The breakfast was notable for its wide assortment of cheeses, including hard varieties and ricotta, along with delicious, fresh Jerusalem bagels. In the evenings, the salmon stood out, with both hot and cold options prepared in various ways. For Shabbat dinner, traditional Jewish dishes like gefilte fish and chopped liver were also served. As a health-conscious diner, I appreciated the availability of different milks, such as lactose-free and oat, and fresh fruit, including juicy plums and sweet watermelon.

The Brown Hotel features a semi-Olympic pool and a children’s pool. The pools will be closed for renovations this winter to build a brand-new complex with modern ones, a gym, a bar, and more. The Brown also offers a kids’ club and a synagogue. For events, there is a new, state-of-the-art conference center with a central hall that can accommodate up to 700 people, complete with advanced lighting and sound systems.

The hotel’s location is a significant advantage for families. It is situated in the Beit Vegan neighborhood, just a few hundred meters from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Mount Herzl and Yad Vashem are a little over a kilometer away, easily accessible by a short walk or drive. A 15-minute drive will take you to family attractions like the Biblical Zoo, the Israel Aquarium, and Ein Yael. In the other direction, the Botanical Gardens, the National Library, the Israel Museum, and the Science Museum are about 10 minutes away, and the Malha Mall is also just a few minutes away. Many of Jerusalem’s central sites are a 15-20 minute drive, depending on traffic.

As someone from the coastal plain, I find Jerusalem evenings to be wonderfully refreshing, with cool air and no humidity. We took advantage of a free evening to drive to the Armon Hanatziv Promenade. I highly recommend visiting at sunset (around 7 p.m. in the summer). The well-maintained promenade offers a stunning view of the valley and the illuminated Temple Mount. The atmosphere is incredibly calm, and the air is cool, so you might even want to bring a light jacket. In the morning, we chose to visit the air-conditioned aquarium, one of the relatively new attractions in Israel.

The National Aquarium in Jerusalem was an excellent destination for a hot summer day. The air-conditioned and spacious facility was a perfect option after a short drive from our hotel, with plenty of parking available. Our admission ticket granted access to both the aquarium and the butterfly house.

The main pavilion is thoughtfully divided by geographical regions, taking us on a journey through the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and the Dead Sea. The highlight was a huge central pool where a variety of fish and sharks swam, offering a direct, up-close look. We also found creative photo spots and enjoyed watching the stingrays. A guide was on hand to share insights, and we made a game of searching for perfectly camouflaged stonefish and watching the mesmerizing jellyfish.

After the aquarium, we entered the butterfly house. This warm, humid space mimics a natural environment where dozens of butterfly species fly freely among rich tropical plants. They were fluttering all around us, providing fantastic opportunities for photos at the feeding stations and creating a truly magical atmosphere.