Jacir Palace Hotel (Beit Jala)
Palestine /
Bayt Lahhm /
Bayt Jala /
Beit Jala
World
/ Palestine
/ Bayt Lahhm
/ Bayt Jala
, 1 km from center (بيت جالا)
World / Palestinian territories / West Bank
hotel, swimming pool, gym / gymnasium - sports, fitness centre / center, spa resort
www.jacirpalace.ps/
Located in the heart of Bethlehem is the five star Jacir Palace, a first of its kind in Palestine.
In 1997, the project to restore the Jacir Palace took off and by the year 2000, Local craftsmen had managed to renovate the building to its former glory of the time of its original owner Sulaiman Jacir, making it once again the most beautiful building in Bethlehem.
The current hotel is a luxurious establishment, which holds 250 rooms, 4 executive suites and one presidential suite with rooms all equipped with the latest communication technology. The hotel also holds a number of upscale facilities catering tourists or business men such as classy ballrooms, a fully equipped business center, a complete fitness spa, stylish bars and elegant eateries.
HISTORY OF THE PALACE
In 1910 Sulaiman Jacir, one of the six sons of Yousef Jacir, returned to Bethlehem. The family lived many years abroad, mainly in South America and France, where they were successful merchants. At that time many Palestinians were living abroad, but Sulaiman has always wanted to return to his native country .The business was thriving and it was Mr. Jacir’s great dream to make a contribution to his homeland.
The architect from Paris was commissioned to design what was set to become the most beautiful residence in Bethlehem. The plans of the building were based on the Louver, but still retained the characteristics of the Middle Eastern home. An imposing entrance and ornate facade were directly seen from the main road linking Jerusalem and Bethlehem presented the Palace. The Entry Lobby was grand in style with a direct view of a typical courtyard offering refuge during the warm and prolonged summers. To the sides of the lobby were two salons, again a typical of the area setting, a "French/English" salon to the right and an "Oriental" to the left. Main staircase was linking all three levels of the Palace opening at the lower level to the Olive garden with some of the trees dating back to the birth of Christ.
Bethlehem was renowned for its craftsmen and Mr. Jacir hired the best stonemasons, wood carvers and builders to build his Palace. This was the first step in what was to become a legend of Bethlehem -his generosity and patronage. The area at that time was in need of rejuvenation, and Mr. Jacir wanted the whole area to develop. As well as giving the work to the local community, he also provided the most basic source of life -food. Every Friday he was offering a meal to everybody who was in need. Even the troops of the locally stationed Turkish garrison were often invited to the Jacir feast. The word traveled fast and soon he became a legend. The saying is still well known in Bethlehem "Where is the food? At the Jacir!".
Construction took four years during which Sulaiman Jacir and his family made selections of the materials and decorations from allover the world. When the Palace was completed, the result was spectacular. Many people came to admire the building for its richness and unusual features. But most of all it was the hospitality that was offered by Jacir household. Everybody was offered help and support, and popularity of the house started to become famous even abroad. Many travelers and pilgrims to Bethlehem came to visit the Palace as well as experience the hospitality.
Mr. Jacir's connoisseur taste in applied arts was well known, and the Palace housed some of the most beautiful artifacts from the region, both contemporary and antique. The collection was on permanent display around the galleries of the Palace and everybody could admire Mr. Jacir's stunning collection. Mr. Jacir was determined to promote the region and he decided to open the workshops on the grounds of his estate for the most talented artists and craftsmen. The workshops were very popular with the visitors and many goods were also offered for sale: jewellery , olive tree carvings, mother of pearl, colored glass, and of course the great Palestinian invention -pottery .He also made generous donations to the local community and schools as well as offered sponsorship to the most talented students.
Soon Mr. Jacir was elected a Mayor of Bethlehem. His new capacity as a statesman now called for a wider social circuit, which resulted in a necessity to build a smaller residence on the adjoining plot to the existing Palace. The family moved there and the palace was now a venue of various functions, banquets and meetings. The extra space was used as the guestrooms and expansion plans were to follow. The olive garden was producing and excellent harvest and soon a restaurant was opened on the grounds. Traditionally produced olive oil by crushing was used for all local cooking and it became a major success.
Many famous people visited the Palace. The Patriarch of Greece and the Italian Ambassador were some of the frequent guests. Then in the 1920-s the age of Travelers came and the Palace become the place to stay and visit. The Jacir Palace was now firmly put on the map. The hotel was a major social circuit and attracted plenty of publicity -but the main quality remained -hospitality and generosity of Mr. Jacir.
The stock crash of the 1930th unfortunately did not spare the Jacir’s. The business was affected and the family went bankrupt in 1932. The Palace was auctioned in 1935. Even the furniture was sold-off as well as the famous art collection.
In 1997 the project to re-establish the Palace took off. Again, just like 85 years ago, the local craftsmen were employed to restore the building to its former glory .Just like before the Palace will be offering the hospitality and local culture to the world.
This new International Hotel pays the tribute to the legend of the family.
Located in the heart of Bethlehem is the five star Jacir Palace, a first of its kind in Palestine.
In 1997, the project to restore the Jacir Palace took off and by the year 2000, Local craftsmen had managed to renovate the building to its former glory of the time of its original owner Sulaiman Jacir, making it once again the most beautiful building in Bethlehem.
The current hotel is a luxurious establishment, which holds 250 rooms, 4 executive suites and one presidential suite with rooms all equipped with the latest communication technology. The hotel also holds a number of upscale facilities catering tourists or business men such as classy ballrooms, a fully equipped business center, a complete fitness spa, stylish bars and elegant eateries.
HISTORY OF THE PALACE
In 1910 Sulaiman Jacir, one of the six sons of Yousef Jacir, returned to Bethlehem. The family lived many years abroad, mainly in South America and France, where they were successful merchants. At that time many Palestinians were living abroad, but Sulaiman has always wanted to return to his native country .The business was thriving and it was Mr. Jacir’s great dream to make a contribution to his homeland.
The architect from Paris was commissioned to design what was set to become the most beautiful residence in Bethlehem. The plans of the building were based on the Louver, but still retained the characteristics of the Middle Eastern home. An imposing entrance and ornate facade were directly seen from the main road linking Jerusalem and Bethlehem presented the Palace. The Entry Lobby was grand in style with a direct view of a typical courtyard offering refuge during the warm and prolonged summers. To the sides of the lobby were two salons, again a typical of the area setting, a "French/English" salon to the right and an "Oriental" to the left. Main staircase was linking all three levels of the Palace opening at the lower level to the Olive garden with some of the trees dating back to the birth of Christ.
Bethlehem was renowned for its craftsmen and Mr. Jacir hired the best stonemasons, wood carvers and builders to build his Palace. This was the first step in what was to become a legend of Bethlehem -his generosity and patronage. The area at that time was in need of rejuvenation, and Mr. Jacir wanted the whole area to develop. As well as giving the work to the local community, he also provided the most basic source of life -food. Every Friday he was offering a meal to everybody who was in need. Even the troops of the locally stationed Turkish garrison were often invited to the Jacir feast. The word traveled fast and soon he became a legend. The saying is still well known in Bethlehem "Where is the food? At the Jacir!".
Construction took four years during which Sulaiman Jacir and his family made selections of the materials and decorations from allover the world. When the Palace was completed, the result was spectacular. Many people came to admire the building for its richness and unusual features. But most of all it was the hospitality that was offered by Jacir household. Everybody was offered help and support, and popularity of the house started to become famous even abroad. Many travelers and pilgrims to Bethlehem came to visit the Palace as well as experience the hospitality.
Mr. Jacir's connoisseur taste in applied arts was well known, and the Palace housed some of the most beautiful artifacts from the region, both contemporary and antique. The collection was on permanent display around the galleries of the Palace and everybody could admire Mr. Jacir's stunning collection. Mr. Jacir was determined to promote the region and he decided to open the workshops on the grounds of his estate for the most talented artists and craftsmen. The workshops were very popular with the visitors and many goods were also offered for sale: jewellery , olive tree carvings, mother of pearl, colored glass, and of course the great Palestinian invention -pottery .He also made generous donations to the local community and schools as well as offered sponsorship to the most talented students.
Soon Mr. Jacir was elected a Mayor of Bethlehem. His new capacity as a statesman now called for a wider social circuit, which resulted in a necessity to build a smaller residence on the adjoining plot to the existing Palace. The family moved there and the palace was now a venue of various functions, banquets and meetings. The extra space was used as the guestrooms and expansion plans were to follow. The olive garden was producing and excellent harvest and soon a restaurant was opened on the grounds. Traditionally produced olive oil by crushing was used for all local cooking and it became a major success.
Many famous people visited the Palace. The Patriarch of Greece and the Italian Ambassador were some of the frequent guests. Then in the 1920-s the age of Travelers came and the Palace become the place to stay and visit. The Jacir Palace was now firmly put on the map. The hotel was a major social circuit and attracted plenty of publicity -but the main quality remained -hospitality and generosity of Mr. Jacir.
The stock crash of the 1930th unfortunately did not spare the Jacir’s. The business was affected and the family went bankrupt in 1932. The Palace was auctioned in 1935. Even the furniture was sold-off as well as the famous art collection.
In 1997 the project to re-establish the Palace took off. Again, just like 85 years ago, the local craftsmen were employed to restore the building to its former glory .Just like before the Palace will be offering the hospitality and local culture to the world.
This new International Hotel pays the tribute to the legend of the family.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacir_Palace
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 31°43'4"N 35°12'1"E
- Mezuqe Deragot 23 km
- kalia Dead Sea Kibbutz Hotel 25 km
- Biankini Village Resort 29 km
- Fal Arabia For Hotels And Resorts 36 km
- Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa 36 km
- Crowne Plaza hotel 36 km
- Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa 36 km
- Mövenpick Dead Sea 36 km
- Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea 36 km
- Al Buhairah hotel and resort 42 km
- Aida Refugee Camp 0.2 km
- Khirbet Khamis 0.8 km
- Road 60 Viaduct & Separation Barrier 1.6 km
- Gilo A 1.7 km
- Gilo 2 km
- Gilo B 2.3 km
- Cremisan Valley 2.4 km
- Bethlehem Governorate 5.6 km
- Gush Etzion 6.1 km
- Judea and Samaria ("West Bank") 26 km
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