Citadel Youth Hostel

Jerusalem (Old City)

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Address	St. Marks 20, Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem (Old City), Jerusalem District, Israel
Price	Dorm beds from US$9.99. Private rooms from US$16.00/person. Price may vary by season - Check Current Prices by Date Here

Location/Contact

Details

Description

Features

24 Hour Free Hot Showers
Lounge / Common space
Travel information provided
Kitchen
Phones (public or in room)
BBQ
Bike Rental
Free City Tours

Ratings & Comments

3.8 Average from 30 Ratings

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Comment by Anne, Canada

October 2009

Shame about the bedbugs
I really wish this hostel was cleaner because it is in a great location, has a lovely roof, and I made loads of friends. But I got severely bitten by bedbugs (and a number of others did as well) even though the owner denied there was a bedbug problem. Needless to say, the bug bites really affected my trip and took a full week to get over (and three months later I still have the scars). I actually saw the creepy crawlies on my bed in the middle of the night. The other yucky thing was that some sheets had bloodstains on them.

Comment by Sebastian, usa

August 2009

Not Recommended. Rubbish!
I would never stay in this hostel again. We stayed for two unfortunate nights, and decided to spend our third at another hostel down the street. It was dirty, and smelled like fish the entire time. The sheets were dirty, so luckily I had my sleep sack with me and only touched that. I didn't want to touch anything in this hostel -- the showers and bathroom were so dirty. I spent as much time away from it as possible, and passed out there only when necessary. i got poisons released into my body from the over friendly bedbugs that infested the mattresses. So I wouldn't recommend to anybody this hostel.

Comment by Susan, Canada

August 2009

Disgusting
This was the most godawful place I've ever, after traveling to twenty-three countries, stayed at. The only thing going for it was the location, in the atmospheric old city of Jerusalem. But the location is also what got us, because after carrying our bags up and down stairs in from outside the old city wall (as we arrived on a holiday and taxis weren't allowed to drive into the old city), my friend and I were so exhausted that, although taken aback by the proprietor's rude demand to be paid upfront for our five-night stay, we obliged before seeing the room. We were told we'd have a lovely rooftop view of Jerusalem. Well, we had a view alright -- of the flophouse right outside our window. There were over twenty people sleeping on mattresses on the roof. Our room was hot as an oven, but with the window open, how could anyone sleep with people literally right outside our window talking all night long? The next morning I searched the city and found four better hotels around the same price (by the way $40 USD for two a night to stay in a cell-like room, with hair on the sheets and dirty shared bathroom downstairs and no hot water -- I found out the roof-dwellers were paying $15 USD each for their experience), but the arrogant owner simply pointed to their list of ridiculous rules, which of course said in bold letters, no refunds, and refused to refund any of our money. He was offended when I mentioned the hair on the sheets and told us they were clean. He did provide a fan, which drowned out the roof dwellers, but barely moved the stifling air in the sweatbox of a room. Oh, and I forgot to mention the disgusting shared kitchen. And lack of service. They couldn't even call a taxi for me to the airport. I could have forgiven a few of the deplorable conditions had the service been good, but no such luck. Avoid the Citadel Hostel if you want to have an enjoyable time in Jerusalem.

Comment by Moshe Goltz, Britain

July 2009

Poor
Avoid this hostel. The location is admittedly good, but it seems as if the staff are so proud of it they feel they don't need to provide that many good amenities. The people who work here (especially the older guy) are quite rude, and seem only interested in the money. Half the time, I saw people asking for refunds, and I even saw one of the owners trying to make someone pay for another person's booking! The showers are basic and fairly low standard, and the organisation is absolutely appalling. People who have booked dorm rooms often find themselves sleeping on the roof, and often one finds ones belongings moved by the staff because they've given your space and mattress to somebody else. Despite the fact that you've booked it. The free tea and interior decor, as well as the location and price, are all positive bonuses, but would you really risk an uncomfortable night on a windy roof where your belongings aren't safe for that?

Comment by K.C., Germany

May 2009

Great and authentic!
i spent a few days on the roof of this beautifully located hostel underneath the jerusalem sky. It's great! you'll meet loads of other travelers and enjoy their company on the roof while enjoying beer and conversations. sure, it's definitely not the cleanliest place in israel but still it's nice, the showers are hot and decent, the kitchen is equipped quite well, and the staff are very friendly and cooperative. only bad thing to my mind is that you couldn't really store your luggage securely -- just in some kind of hallway. which was fine, as it was for free.

Comment by Alfred J.,, France

December 2008

Warning -- Avoid This Hostel!
I made the mistake of staying here in April. The floors are filthy and the entire building smells of a sewer. There is no secure storage for luggage and the hygiene of this establishment in every room I was in was very bad. I understand and appreciate experiencing "the real Jerusalem" -- but Citadel hostel is not real, it is a health hazard. They also do not offer refunds, even if asked politely (I was also not the only one asking for a refund). Please, there are many other great hostels in the Old city, and cheaper too! The only positive thing is its location.

Comment by Stephanie East, United States

November 2008

Wonderful Experience!
The Citadel Hostel is an experience that I would not have missed. It is not your standard building with a standard experience. It feels like you have walked back in time, in a positive way. The curved rock ceiling and walls gives the feeling of entering a cave. The decorations give one the feeling of entering an Israeli culture. Hospitality was warm but not intrusive. Rooms were clean and bedding was changed daily. The bathrooms were newly remodeled and although small, were functional. The only drawback was that there was no place to put your clothing while showering. A shelf in each shower would be useful. The view from the roof was unbeatable! However it looks like there is a building under construction that may eventually block the Dome of the Rock. But hopefully the Dome of the Rock will be replaced soon by the Temple of the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, and I am sure the view from the Citadel will be even more beautiful!

Comment by Carolien, Holland

November 2008

August 2008
We stayed with four people in the hostel. It is a very nice hostel. The location is very great, in the middle of the old city. The people who work there are also very nice. Especially Mohaned. We really enjoyed our time in the Citadel, and that's also because of him! He was always there to have a nice talk. He helped us if there was a problem! Thanks for the help and hospitality! For everyone who is looking for a nice hostel, go to the Citadel!

Comment by Hambone, Canada

October 2008

Centrally Located, great people, great time
I had stayed at the hostel across the street and upon my return to the Old City they had no vacancies. Oh my luck couldnt have been better. The Citadel is a great place. I had a room that appeared to be carved into a cave -- just awesome accommodation. The guy at the desk, Chris, asked me where I planned to go during my stay and he offered bus routes and names of guides. Oh, and the Citadel rates are about half the rates of the other place I stayed.

Comment by roly, finland

November 2007

Nice
stayed four nights at citadel hostel in november. very nice and helpful staff, clean room (dorm), kitchen is nice, peaceful at nights (i am already forty). coming back next year.

Comment by Jenna, United States

October 2007

Home away from Home.
The Citadel Youth Hostel was my teams of seven's home for a month back in January of 2006! Chris and Tony are sweet and hospitable! They became like family to us! I loved sitting out on the roof at night or early in the morning -- simply gorgeous! The mixed dorm on the bottom floor is so cool, like a cave! We loved meeting so many different kinds of people from all over the world. On rainy days, we didn't even leave because we had so much fun inside! Chris even made us a "family dinner" when we left for home. I honestly miss this home away from home! I will definitely be going there again soon.

Comment by Pierre Ferrette, France

September 2007

Paradise
if you want to sleep in Jerusalem, the most beautiful city of the world, and not to pay much for that, if you want to meet people from every country in the world, and if you want to see one of the most beautiful landscape of the world from a roof every day, go to this place. special thanks to Simon, the coolest man of Jerusalem, and greetings to Fadi. This place is magic.

Comment by Nathan, American USA

August 2007

Great hostel
I loved staying here. There is internet. They are clean. The staff are very helpful and very friendly as well.

Comment by Sol Sagot, Costa Rica

May 2007

i went there may 2006, it was an amazing experience in the Old city. the lodge, wow, that building is just so great. everyone that comes to the Old City should experience the real lodging in Jerusalem!

Comment by Hans Vogt, German

May 2007

The Location of the Hostel is perfect (in the Heart of the old city), the Hostel inside is oriental and very nice. the staff was very friendly and helpful, my room was oriental and very clean. the WC and the Kitchen were very clean as well. there was a wireless LAN in the Hostel and it didnt cost anything. the view from the rooftop is unique, i enjoyed it very much. this is a five Stars Hostel. i recommend it strongly.

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