New Palm Hostel

Bookings not honoured, dismissive and arrogant manager.
Unfortunately my mother and father had a very bad experience at this particular hostel recently in 2008, and I feel that a mention must be made so that balance can come to the several more positive reviews appearing. During their time in Jerusalem about a month ago, they entered the hostel and booked a room in person (with their passport details) for a date three days later. On arrival on that date, they were told the booking was nonexistent. In reality, it appears the booking was simply ignored to make way for somebody who just wished to stay longer in their room. As this was during the Passover time in Jerusalem, this was a dilemma as accommodation was very short. Their only option was to stay in the dorm, with a promise of a room the next day. On the next day, they were told their room would be available later. Around midday, the manager returned and suddenly no rooms were available because once again those occupying it had changed their minds and once again he wasn't willing to honour a booking. Eventually a room did appear, and my mother requested a fan like the ones in the other rooms. Over seven hours this polite and patient request was repeatedly brushed off with all manner of excuses and delaying tactics, and eventually brushed off with humour by the manager in front of other guests. After a long day, still their needs were not being met and the manager was laughing it off. After such disrespect, my father challenged the manager's attitude over what had been a fair request over many hours, and the managers response was to begin repeatedly shoving my father and using intimidating body language, such as getting close up to his face. Naturally my father told him this was not necessary, and eventually had to warn him not to continue, after which he then received insults by the manager and told my mother and father to pack their bags and f*** off (which they didn't do as they had paid for the room already). No doubt people have a different experience to this, but this is one incident that I feel must be highlighted so that people see both sides of the picture.

Cheap place to stay while in Jerusalem
The rooms are not like those that are posted on the web site. Luckily I booked a single room with private bath/shower and a working TV back in March of 2007. The price was a little higher for the seventeen days but for me it was worth it. I tend to travel with my own bedding so I was not bothered by the dirty mattress. Otherwise the room, bathroom, and shower were very clean. The TV worked. The TV in the smoking room did not work. First impression of the entire place was a bit dismal, not as clean as I had hope. Free coffee and Tea throughout the day. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful and the free dinner every night was a treat. Soup mixture of assorted vegetables poured over rice. Though the Internet was free you had to boot people off in order to get on. Just down the front steps to the Hostel was a fruit and vegetable stand to buy items to eat and around the corner was several food vendors selling sandwiches and drinks. No problems with safety. The Hostel is right across from the Damascus Gate and around the corner from the Garden Tomb. Most places that you want to visit are within walking distance. Met some wonderful people there and would book again.

Sweet
This hostel became my home for almost a month. The price was half of that anywhere else I found, the staff was great, which made my experience that much better. One of the top five hostel experiences I've ever had, and I've had quite a few! I miss it there.

Fun Times
Way back in '93 I had a fine time at The New Palm Hostel. Great folks, location, and facilities. I highly recommend and hope everyone has the fun times I did.

Like home
Such a relaxed atmosphere. You have even a free meal every day. Fast internet connection, three PCs and Wi-Fi. Location is great, just fifty meters from the Damascus gate. It is very peaceful on the roof, where I stayed, for just 4.5 EUR! And the linens were ok, no smell, no dirt. If you want to buy food, you don't even have to get out of the building, because a green marketplace extends into the very building's corridor, so you have tomato, potato, onion, grapes. The staff is friendly, they are Palestinians, yet they seem to love people from U.S.A. and western europe. I think some of the guests were even some Jewish youngsters from Haifa, and they spoke friendly with them. If I happen to return to Jerusalem some day, I know for sure where I am going to reside.

Home in jerusalem
The Palm hostel was my home for nearly five months while staying in Jerusalem. We stayed in a private room so it was great. Great atmosphere, great staff, good food. I do need to mention however, that those photos posted on the side of this website and any other website don't look anything like the rooms in the hostel.

After leaving Tel Aviv, I took up a room in the New Palms Hostel. Where do I start? First off the people staying there are all nice, clean, easygoing people and I met the best people ever. The loos were nice and clean (thank heavens, please keep it up!), and the management is always on-site to keep things in good order. It is great to have the fruit market right down stairs. Thanks to the good old sturdy walls, the noise is minimal! The Restaurants downstairs (and a few steps away) sell falafel (any other fab food) and drinks for a good price. Overall, this hostel is very homey and last but not least the dinner is superb -- you will not go hungry! Thank you Hadim for running such an excellent hostel, I hope to see you all there in the near future!

i recently spent five days in Jerusalem while on leave from my kibbutz and was lucky enough to wander into the palm and i have to say, what a hostel! twenty-five sheckels a night is a great rate. shower and toilet facilities are excellent, i can't overstate how great free internet is when thousands of miles from home, and the clientele is as delightful a bunch of characters as you could hope to share a room with anywhere. next time i find myself in the Damascus gate area i will definitely check in again.

Stayed at the Palm Hostel in 1995 and 1996, the place was brilliant, plenty of characters there. The Palm used to be run by My Uncle (Lee Clark) also Ted used to run the place. Anyone looking to stay in East Jerusalem should stay here, forget the others.

This is a very nice place to stay, friendly, helpful and sharing staff. I can highly recommend it.

Every time I have gone to Jerusalem I have stayed here. I found this hostel by coincidence but have loved it ever since. The experience will be great because the people are amazingly nice and fun. Go on a tour with Hatem, it will be a treat. My friends and I just went there and had a blast. The great people make the place!!

Hey pals. I will not talk too long. This place is really my second home and my second family. All I want to say is that you should rush in a hurry here because it is really worth it!!! I like that place so much, despite the fact that my best brother Hazem finished his work there. I had such lovely days and nights there, so many good friends I made, so many things that I cannot believe!! I mean, they really care about you as a part of this lovely family. Come here soon, pals. It is an awesome place.

The Palm Hostel is a lovely, clean hostel, with very helpful staff. It has a great location near Damascus Gate.

Since I first visited Palm Hostel two months ago, I have been a frequent guest here during my extended stay in Israel. Every time I come to Jerusalem I'm welcomed by my Palm Hostel "family" - that's what they've become! The place is affordable, clean, very friendly, offers free tea and entertaining company all day. Family owned and run. Come join us!