Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem, Israel

The Mamilla Hotel is a quintessentially urban structure - contemporary to the core. It is one of the radically traditional city’s first experiences in contemporary design. Moshe Safdie, the architect who fashioned the hotel’s exteriors, is also behind the rest of the Alrov Mamilla project. His application of Jerusalem Stone emphasises the material’s characteristic shine. Municipal law enforces its use in order to maintain the city’s aesthetic traditions – Safdie revitalises these traditions, allowing the material to breathe naturally while gliding into its contemporary manifestation.

Once inside, Piero Lissoni takes over. “Jerusalem has a special energy, the feeling is so particular,” says Lissoni. “The light is very different to other parts of the world, and with the white stones, everything around is like a huge reflection.” The celebrated Italian designer was so deeply inspired by the city’s light, that he took it as the starting point of the interior design and plays with it throughout. It fills each space – from the lobby to each of the 194 guestrooms, and on to the Holistic Wellbeing Retreat, restaurants and bars – while at the same time defining its parameters. Floating metal staircases arch away from Safdie’s stone façades under sloping glass and steel ceilings as though they themselves are white beams of morning light. Lissoni’s signature minimalist aesthetic, which is welcomed into Jerusalem for the first time here, is contextualized by the heavily rusticated traditional stone.

Each room has hardwood floors, custom made Lissoni furniture paired with gorgeous local finds, and bathrooms featuring rectangular bathtubs selectively shielded by liquid crystal walls that frost over with the touch of a button for privacy.

At the Mamilla Rooftop outdoor lounge & restaurant, guests are invited to gaze out over the awe inspiring Old City, while enjoying Lissoni’s elegant, comfortable seating and welcoming, wood-panelled bar area. This comfort as well extends into the Mamilla Café, where guests can take pleasure in a more informal dining atmosphere. Its long Carrera marble table intended for communal dining, is balanced by the option of hiding away in the charming sofa terrace lounge. One of the hotel’s highlights is the Mirror Bar, in which guests can enjoy cocktails and traditional drinks in a softly lit, mirror lined room. The Espresso Bar at The Mamilla Hotel’s lobby welcomes locals for their pre-work coffee and chat, giving them a minute taste of the simple and refreshing style that seamlessly stirs traditional flavours in with unparalleled contemporary, international elegance. 

by Moshe Safdie
Piero Lissoni