The King David, the Dan Hotels flagship hotel, will re-open its doors on July 2nd, 2020, 90 years after its original unveiling in 1930. Known worldwide as Israel’s “official” residence for visiting presidents, world leaders, royalty, heads of state, celebrities and sophisticated travelers, the King David has long been considered Israel’s most prestigious hotel.
The reopening will coincide with the appointment of its new General Manager, Tamir Kobrin, succeeding Haim Shkedi who oversaw Israel’s most iconic hotel for a quarter century. Tamir Kobrin has over 20 years of experience in luxury hotels worldwide and comes back to Israel after managing the Anantara Hotel in Portugal, the Leila Palace in Udaipur, and Leila Palace in New Delhi. Early in his career, Kobrin was Reception Manager at the King David, so his appointment brings him back to his hotelier roots.
In the wake of Covid-19, the Dan chain has initiated a health charter “Stay Safe & Enjoy,” detailing a mass of requirements to maintain social distancing, hygiene and to safeguard all guests and staff while upholding the high level of service and cuisine associated with Dan Hotels. Prior to re-opening, each Dan Hotels property is undergoing “deep cleaning” of all public, service, kitchen areas and guestrooms,utilizing state-of-the-art disinfectants.
On arrival at the King David or at any Dan Hotel, guests’ temperatures will be remotely checked and if over 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), the guest will be transferred to a private testing area. If a second reading remains high, the visitor may not enter the hotel and medical care will be sought. A sealed package will be provided to every guest containing masks and disinfecting materials. Sanitizing gel dispensers with touchless sensors will be positioned at the hotel entrance and throughout public areas.
The hotel pool and gym will operate according to the guidelines of Israel’s Ministry of Health. Furniture has been rearranged and floor markings installed to maintain social distancing. The King David’s legendary buffet breakfast has been reformatted so that it is protected by glass. Certain items will be offered in individual covered containers, and masked and gloved waiters will fill guests’ plates.
The King David will continue to provide full room service under the strictest sanitary conditions. After reopening, the King David will offer special weekends that include a sunset cocktail reception on the hotel’s newly configured rooftop with its mesmerizing 360-degree view of the entire city of Jerusalem, along with a talk on “The Story of Jerusalem from the Beginning to the New Age.”
Special tours are also being offered to hotel guests during the weekends:
- Tour of the Old City and the Yemin Moshe neighborhood – a journey to the heart of Jerusalem, visiting the Armenian Quarter, Mount Zion’s David’s Tomb, the Room of the Last Supper, the Church of the Dormition and finally a visit to the Western Wall.
- A tour of the ancient walls and the western side of the city beginning in the quaint Nahalat Shiva neighborhood, from there to the National Institutions, the Bezalel School of Arts, the Nahalot neighborhood and ending at Mahane Yehuda market.
In addition to the reopening of the King David, the Dan Accadia Herzliya will reopen on June 25, and the Dan Carmel in Haifa on July 7. These hotels will join the Dan Eilat and Dan Caesarea Resort which reopened at the end of May, the Dan Panorama Eilat and the Ruth Safed Hotel (opening this week), and the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel which remained safely open and operational throughout the pandemic.
The Dan Hotels chain was founded in 1948 and has grown up alongside the State of Israel, earning its place as the longest established luxury hotel chain in the country, with a reputation for excellence in accommodation, service, and cuisine. The King David is a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World.
