The King David Hotel: Colonial Elegance, Turbulent History
General Allenby’s entry into Jerusalem’s Old City in 1917 marked a new chapter in Jerusalem’s history. Under British mandate rule, the city witnessed unprecedented development, especially outside the city walls. One of the most iconic buildings constructed at the time was a hotel that still stands as the most prestigious hotel in the Holy Land – the King David Hotel.
Ezra Mosseri, a wealthy Egyptian Jew, initiated the hotel in 1929. He purchased a 3-acre plot from the Greek Orthodox Church on a hill overlooking the western walls of Jerusalem’s Old City. Facing the Medieval complex known as the Tower of David, Ezra named the hotel – “the King David Hotel.”
The principal architect was Emil Watt, who designed a six-floor plain yet elegant structure. Its interior design was more remarkable, combining quotes from Assyrian, Hittite, Phoenician, Muslim, and Jewish art and architecture.
Opened in 1931, the King David Hotel set a new benchmark in local hospitality. The management was Swiss, the chefs were Italians, and the waitresses were from Sudan. The hotel quickly developed a high reputation and enjoyed prosperity.
The Hotel Leased by the British – and Blown Up
In 1936, the local Arabs began a set of riots, demonstrations, and terror attacks, both against Jews and the British authorities. Tourism to the Holy Land declined, and King David leased 2/3 of the building to The British mandate administration. A decade later, as the Second World War ended, the autrocities of the Nazis over the Jews became public. Yet the British continued their policy of limiting Jewish immigration to the Holy Land, and failing to protect them from Arab violence and terror.
In return, in July 1946, Ben-Gurion approved Begin and the Irgun underground movement to infiltrate 300 kg of explosives into the hotel’s kitchen, then at the base of its southern wing, disguised as a supply of milk jars. Three times a warning was sent to the hotel’s front desk, yet the local British commander’s response was, “I’m not going to take any orders from these damn Jews.” When the building blew up, the whole southern wing collapsed, killing 91 people, including 19 Jews.
The British continued to use the unmanaged parts of the hotel until the termination of the British Mandate over Palestine, May 1948.
The Hotel after 1948
During the 1948 war, the hotel was used by the International Committee of the Red Cross as a refuge for people who lost their homes. Its damaged wing was not repaired, and being right by the 1949 Jordanian-Israeli armistice line, many of its rooms were facing Jordanian Military posts. Eventually, Mosseri sold the Hotel to to the Dan Hotel chain. The new management renovated the hotel and added two more floors, but only after the 1967 Six-day War did the new owners see the fruits of their investment.
The King David Hotel Today
With the city unified in 1967, the King David Hotel returned to its original role as a prestigious hotel, which is still maintained. It hosted, and continues to host, leaders from all over the world, including all American presidents: Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
Tthe hotel conserves its colonial luxury appeal well, delivering classical elegance. Biblical style appliqués decorate its lobby, and a round balcony overlooks the pool and tennis courts. Along the lobby’s floor are names and signatures of some of the many known figures who stayed here.
Contact us for setting a tour that will include a stay at the King David hotel.