Some of these reviews don’t do this place justice. Great location, right next to the old city. The room was what you would expect from a cheaper hostel, but by no means was it bad! The water was hot, the WiFi worked, the bed was comfortable. The staff all seemed to be pleasant guys, they were all nice from my experience, even got some solid advice about transport from one of them. Some of these reviews had me terrified about going (especially as a solo female traveler),maybe you have to be kind to others to receive that in return? Glad I checked the place out for myself! (You should too).

A terrible hostel. Dirty toilets and shower. Used bed sheets- broken fridge. Horrible place! When the owner recognized that a few of us did not like the place a canceled our reservations after paying that we are not able to give a negative review on Hostelworld. Maybe also to save the fee of Booking and Hostelworld. Please don't go there!

The only people who give this place a good review are the ones who don't realize they were ripped off. The owner will try and charge you more upon arrival thinking that you will not have converted the price yourself. When confronted he will plead ignorance but it seems he has done this many times before. The rooms were dirty and never seemed to be cleaned. The mattress was extremely worn. The bathroom had mould in it. The other manager was extremely rude and complains to people about slamming a bathroom door even though it is impossible to close them quietly as they are very old and rusty! He pounded on our door past midnight (when everyone was sleeping), turned on the light, and complained that someone was sleeping in the wrong bed (I'm not sure how they could be?). If you try and extend they will up the price on you. The manager claims that the "special offer" is over and tells you to either pay him now or get out. Real nice. Spend your money elsewhere.

The Palm Hostel is a great place to stay if you're looking to explore the Old City. You can't beat it's location right outside of the Damascus Gate or cheap nightly rates. Do not expect a five-star world-class experience; this is a cheap hostel and the amenities reflect that. But it's truly magic to wake up so close to the old city and spend the day exploring. Highly recommended for the adventurous traveler!

I took no photos from my overnight experience. Let’s put it this way: - location 10/10 - nearby shops and restaurants 10/10 - hostel staff and service 9/10 - how long should one stay 1-2 nights max The challenge is the rooms. Small, old, clean but crammed. Jerusalem is a beautiful city and any vacation deserves a decent accommodation. This is a low budget choice and on that front rocks. Although price is a little high for what you receiving. Ali and the team are very accommodating and will change rooms when necessary. I had my child with me and this can be a family room for overnight, but not longer. We left after one night to get another place more suitable for family. If they could renovate this hostel and modernise the facilities, this place would be amazing 🤩

As somebody else said here, it's all about expectations; and since this is very cheap hostel, don't expect luxury. Hostel is located in a great place. It's close to the Old City, tram and bus station. All around the neighborhood are shops with fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meet market in the morning and you can buy local (fast)food pretty late at night (which is unusual for Jerusalem). There is free coffee and tea all day. And the staff will be respectful and friendly if you believe decently and politely (best regards to my friend from the graveyard shift). I see some complaints about cleanliness. In my experience (and I have stayed here for 19 nights) it has more to do with guests than service. They clean the bathrooms every morning but if people who are using those bathrooms don't clean after themselves it's bound to be dirty pretty fast. Can not expect the staff to clean the bathrooms after every use. If I ever come back to Jerusalem, I would gladly stay here. The atmosphere was great and I have met some pretty interesting people in this hostel.

Only hostel in the east of Jerusalem. While it is not as modern as the hostels on the west side, we felt it was important to also experience the east (Arabic) side and sleep there as well. You’re very close to all the major attractions in the old city and in the street of the hostel are some very nice and affordable places to eat (bakery, falafel place etc). The entrance to the hostel is lovely, goes through a vegetable/fruit stall. The owner of this stall is a very nice and friendly man and we chatted with him a lot. He also has very good quality fruit and vegetables :)

Don't ruin your trip to Israel by staying here. Don't book this hostel, I've stayed at over 100 hostels and this was by far the worst. Before you book please note they don't have most of the amenities listed and have a no refund policy when you decide to leave. The worst part is the people working here. When we first showed up we were hoping we could just avoid the obnoxiously rude night shift worker. He overcharged us, and was miserable to speak with, any questions were a chore for him to answer and he obviously didn't want to help. It didn't get better though. The fridge didn't work and smelled of mold, the stove was unclean and has grease dripping on it from the ceiling, on of the showers has a missing too and the other has ACTUAL SEWAGE LEAKING INTO IT FROM THE TIOLET. The bunk beds are breaking in many spots. There was also never any free tea. Then it got worse when we talked to the day worker. All we asked for was the money back we overpaid when they didn't account for our deposit paid through Hostelworld (about $20). He only gave us some of the money then told us that now we have to move to a cheaper room without AC. We showed him that we booked a room with AC on the website and he said he'd try to keep us in that room but 6 people were coming in today and would need the room, and to take up the AC booking with Hostelworld as it's not their problem. After leaving and coming back after the day shift guy had left we had the same room, and noone had come. They were just trying to make us feel bad for asking for our money back. Actually, we only saw 3 other people the entire time we were here, each for only one night. Not a hostel to socialize in. Later that day the night guy burst into our room without knocking (they don't give you keys to lock your room and is no security) waking me up from a nap and asked why we had the remote to our AC unit. We told him the day guy gave it to us and he told us out room was way too cold (set to 19C on a weak AC unit) and he turned the unit up to 22C and took the remote.

Overbooked the first night, was offered a cheap and dirty hostel in the old city. Not clean and no AC in the dorms. Just a small window for fresh air. Don't always change sheets on the beds before the next person. Guests without beds are sleeping in the kichen and on sofas in the common area. The staff gave away my friends bed to a new guest. Promised discount considering the circumstances, but tried to take a even higher price.

This guesthouse is managed with elder gentleman and (maybe) son. Elder guy is very kind, the other one is not good, he sometimes uses strong language and Unfriendly. I stayed a dormitory room, 3 Bunk beds in one room, a little old facilities especially bathroom. This guesthouse provide us low price, but I don’t feel comfortable. There is nothing around here at new city. I recommend you that you may look for any other guesthouse if you have enough time. [in Jan 2017]

Very dirty, unfriendly and disorganized staff. No clear instructions on how to behave and then complaining. Women in mixed rooms even though they have booked a female dorm. beds uncomfortable. Rooms also bright at night. The whole hostel is a huge construction site.

Genuinely the worst hostel I've ever stayed in. Dorms had no locks, there were no lockers for valuables, the front door of the hostel had no security. I booked a female dorm and felt unsafe the whole stay because anyone could walk in, it was so bad. I spent the whole time worried my stuff was going to get stolen. The showers were in the middle of the toilet cubicles with no divider or curtain so the floor was always dirty and wet. No sheets, no towel provided. The beds were really unstable and rickety, the bottoms of the top bunks were actually falling apart and breaking.

We stayed for one night during the Sukkot festivities this October and moved to another hostel because we had almost no sleep at all. The rooms are small and crowded with 12 old metal stockbeds so whenever someone turns position when sleeping we woke up. Also our room and bathroom were very dirty, the beds didn’t have clean sheets on them when we arrived as new guests. In view of the price I would recommend to choose a different location as there are ones with rather more comfort and nicer staff.

Dirty and no service. Like a shelter but you have to pay. The toilets are stinky. Almost nothing inside the property even something essential to a hostel. Cheap yet not worthy the price even. Never go this place if you have any other choice.

We like it. Staff are very good heart people, sometimes hard to make deals but this is life. There heart are really good.

A terribly dirty and dingy place where it looks like the floors of the room were never cleaned. In winter (+12 degrees in Jerusalem) we were given one thin summer blanket per person. The bathroom was a nightmare, the shower just a hole in the floor, no towels, toilet the dirtiest I have seen in my life. The staff entered our room without knocking even though we booked a private room. There was also construction all over the hostel, drilling, cables hanging out of the ceiling, etc, and the receptionist himself said they were not supposed to be open because of construction but opened anyway. The price was low but not so low as to justify the terrible conditions of this place. Stay away!!!

Because friendly staff , and I feel at home …. In the hotel part idk about the hostel … the tour guide was included for free we saw a lot of holy places in just two days even went on ATVS I’ve been wanting to go for my whole life . This place is great ask for MOHHAMAD TOUR GUIDE …. I broke some stuff on accident and they said it’s all good … great location … right by Jerusalem inner city . Has its own fruit veggie stand , and food all around great hookah spot near bye just ask for whatever you want or need !

Was staying at the hotel, not the hostel. Super friendly and forthcoming hosts! Clean room, free coffee and a nice terrace. Would recommend the hotel for sure.

Great location for a hostel right by Damascus Gate - well lite and packed with food/restaurants to the left and right. Produce by day for a reasonable price downstairs. Coffee is free for night. The bathroom was pretty vacant while I was there and I got around easily and made friends. Vinnie is helpful for recommendations if you want to save some money. Transportation bus and trains are just across the hostel.

I've been traveling the world for years and I've never felt the need to leave a review but this place deserves it all! Dirty, inhospitable a scam in all respects. I booked a month earlier and I found myself sleeping on the ground. The owner is a person of ignorance and infinite rudeness. It is true that it is 20 meters from the Damascus gate but it is worth staying slightly further away and being able to find a more welcoming place. last thing, total absence of honesty in the price of accommodation, to sleep on the floor without blankets or pillow they asked us for 240 schekel (60 euros that we gave him with the woodpecker). I strongly advise against it.

For the price and location it's literally the best hostel in Jerusalem. So sure, don't expect great luxury, but there's everything you need and it's hygienic. What's more, the hostel manager is super friendly! I recommend +++

We had a private room so can not rate the dorm rooms. Our room was clean, plenty of hot water, and cold a/c. Excellent location across the street from the Damascus Gate. No free parking.

Very simple hostel, but not the cleanest. I found it very odd that one of the owners seemed to dislike his own hostel, making negative comments about his own guesthouse to his guests...I guess if he doesn't like it, why should we? I also find it very confusing that the hostel appears with different names on Booking.com and on Google Maps. The location was amazing - 10 minutes away from the Church of Holy Sepulcher, and a few steps away from the Damascus gate.

Thought this place deserved a higher review score than 3.2 stars. We stayed here as a couple for 1 night, and it was actually very nice. We had a private room and everything was clean, bathroom had a shower and shampoo and soap was provided (much appreciated after a long flight)! And for the price all things considered it was amazing. It's not the Hilton or fancy hotel don't get me wrong, but a clean bed and great location more than made up for its shortcomings.

DO NOT GO THERE. It was the worst experience after one year of travel. When I arrived at the hostel, the owner refused to give me WiFi while I wanted to check my reservation. The rooms were inhospitable with no proper mattress (more of a wooden plank), spotted bedsheet, no upper sheet, no AC, no locker, no key for the dormitory either. We went in front of the bathroom and a bad smell came out, with the floor being very dirty. As two females, we felt very vulnerable in this hostel and decided to leave without even staying. Our main concern was safety. The hostel decided to charge us for the 3 nights without listening to our complaints regarding safety and security. The owner does not care about our experience, does not care about reviews either (I of course emailed him before writing this review).

The location is amazing for seeing the old city of Jerusalem, shopping, finding food and even taking buses to other areas like Bethlehem. The staff are friendly and available. The rooms are okay for a short stay. You will need to bring your own handsoap and toilet paper. The shower and bathroom are together so be prepared to clean up the floor after you shower.

Peace and love to verybody there. I'm so sorry for the victims, especially the non-combatants. Twenty-four days after I left, war broke out. This is a good hostel I needed to shave the budget, this was perfect. Everything I needed, and nothing I didn't. Bare bones, but a very beautiful experience. I'm SO GRATEFUL the staff took an interest, I was well cared for. Location can't be beat, especially if you're an early starter. I also stayed here in 1977. Little has changed. Loved it. Vincent from California is a true professional.

I stayed at this hostel for a week and a half. The staff is kind, hospitable, and helpful in a number of ways. The rooms, whether dorms or single rooms are comfortable and make you feel at home abroad. I cannot recommend this hotel/hostel enough.

Price/qualitywise is by far the best you can ever get. Perfect location right by Damascus gate, you can find also cheap places to eat or by groceries. The room was perfectly fine, hot water on the shower, free coffee 24/7 and free drinking water (hot and cold). Internet works perfect. If you are traveling on a budget, this is your place.

Amazing place, and Amazing hostel. With the most friendly of owners/managers who couldn't be more helpful. Love everything about it. Thankyou

Palm hostel is a nice place to stay in old city of Jerusalem. Place is very old and near to Damascus gate, nice location to stay and explore the old city.western wall is not far from this place. You can walk and enjoy old city. Train station and bus station is also near if you want to go other places.

This hostel with its typical character and great location made my stay much better. Especially because of the fruitshop entrance where we could buy holy land fruits like mango and lychee: who expected that?:) I enjoyed the open and friendly interaction and that we could trust 100%. It was lovely that they would support us even before midnight and tried to always be at our service in a positive way. Great hospitality and great spot again. 3 minutes walk from Damascus Gate. A very arabic and lively area but calm in the night:) thank you so much and hope to see you all again!

Great place to use as a base of operations while exploring the holy land. The rooms are no frills, but they are safe, secure, and the staff is very nice.

Great hostel, great location, cheap and with everything you need, great manager, what more could you ask for? Me and my friends had a great time! I can only recommend

I booked a single room with bathroom. All I expected was a clean place to sleep at and take a shower. When we arrived the stuff first gave us a room with MOULD on the walls and ceiling and full of flies and expected us to be okay with it! After I refused to stay there, the guy offered me a dark room without a mould but also without a window 😂 So after I said I didn’t pay for this, he let me choose from "better” rooms. That meant less mould, stinky bed with garbage under it and dirty sheets. It’s probably a standard scenario, we heard people changing their rooms and complaining multiple times during our 3 days stay. I am good with old equipment as long as it’s clean and functional! This stay was a nightmare, we even left one day earlier. (I didn’t even ask for a refund because I just wanted to be gone.) It is not worth the money! DO NOT BOOK. For this price or a little more you can find much better!

Great location!/Close to bus station, train station, Damascus gate and old city, on a shopping street Very good staff! Polite and cordial, responsive and well-intentioned! They help the guests and take care of the comfort during the stay! Personal thanks to Alex, Nino and the hotel office guy and all the staff! I wish you good health !

Highly not recommended. Have had a personal experience where neither the rooms were good nor the receptionist. If you consider staying here be prepared for the worse.

1 minute away from the damascus gates and the buses, place is perfect if you just want to sleep and be next to the old town

Was only here for two night, location great and the room is what we needed for our time there. No complaints.

Friendly staff, nice rooms, the most superb location... literally a 2 minute maximum walk to Damascus gate and the old city with the Holy sites. I enjoyed my stay and will definitely return. The place is divided into two sections a hotel and a hostel. If you want privacy you can stay in either section but the hotel area will cost a little more but you have your own private bathroom. It has a nice living room and a castle like feel to it. Facility also has a kitchen with a stove and sink with large dining area that seats at least 20 people, so convenient since fruits veggies and meat market are all next door in the same shopping plaza. And you can't beat the price !!!

Very nice place and people very easy going enjoyed the company and the location. 100% recommended rooms were simple and enjoyable. The owner is a very nice guy.

very very poor even the towel is very old same like the hostel, don't ever use this hostel u will regret it

THE GOOD: Palm Hostel is exactly what you expect for the price. Average quality of accommodation, typical for hostels. Friendly and genuinely helpful staff. Perfect location near Damascus Gate for Old Town and light rail. Free tea and coffee is an awesome thing. Cheap and tasty falafels, hummus and shawarma next door. THE BAD: On some days there was sewage smell in bathroom. Also, certain things would benefit from deeper cleaning (like ceiling fan in bathroom).

The staff are incredibly rude and unhelpful. Felt like a prison- like I was in trouble for being there. I had two separate reservations and they overcharged me on both. I only got back some of the $ when I confronted them. No free coffee or tea as advertised. Fridge broken. Dirty bathrooms. Sooo stingy with the AC! Literally came into our room several times while we were sleeping, told us it was too cold, turned it off, and took the remote.

The hostel is great. When you go to the cheapest hostel in Jerusalem you can't expect to have the comforts of a 5* hotel. The hostel is not dirty as many people say, it's old, and that can't be fixed. The staff is nice and the location is perfect. Much better thant expected

I had a great stay at the Palm Hostel. It is located north of the old town and its proximity to the old town is very convenient for sightseeing. The rooms are not very modern but they are surely enough for a trip exploring Jerusalem. The staff is very nice and helpful. We were given an upgrade without even asking for it which I really appreciated. I would definitely go again!