King David Hotel Jerusalem: History, Cost, and Ownership

This guide answers the core questions travellers and history researchers ask about the King David Hotel Jerusalem: whether it still operates, what happened at the 1946 bombing, who owns it, and how much a stay costs. We base our reporting on verified facts from the hotel’s official operator, leading review platforms, historical archives, and luxury-hotel listings — not on speculation or marketing copy.

Last checked: 2026-06-28

Location: 23 King David Street, Jerusalem, Israel · Rooms and suites: 206 rooms, 27 suites · Owner: Dan Hotels · Year opened: 1931 · Historical event: Bombing on 22 July 1946 – 91 killed, 46 injured · Price range (per night): €587–€895 (TripAdvisor)

Does the King David Hotel Still Exist?

Yes, the King David Hotel Jerusalem is open for guests and operates as a flagship property of the Dan Hotels chain. The official name is King David Jerusalem, and it continues to book rooms and suites year-round. Travel Weekly’s hotel directory lists 233 guest rooms and describes the property as a six-story pink-sandstone landmark, last renovated in 2011 (Travel Weekly).

Is the hotel open for guests today?

Bookings are accepted directly through the Dan Hotels website, which offers rate calendars, suite configurations, and loyalty discounts via the E‑Dan club (Dan Hotels official site). Third-party platforms such as TripAdvisor and travel-agent portals also list live availability. As of mid-2025, Dan Hotels appointed Matan Lerner as general manager of the property, confirming it is staffed and actively managed (Travel Agent Central).

The hotel sits on King David Street, overlooking the Old City and Mount Zion. Contemporary descriptions highlight its rose-coloured limestone façade and elevated position (The Times of Israel).

What Happened at the King David Hotel?

On 22 July 1946, a bomb placed by the Irgun underground organisation detonated in the southern wing of the King David Hotel. The explosion killed 91 people and injured 46 others. At the time, that wing housed the British administrative and military headquarters for Mandatory Palestine (Wikipedia).

The attack was ordered by Menachem Begin, then head of the Irgun, who targeted the British authorities (PalQuest). Victims included British officials, Jewish and Arab hotel staff, and other civilians — a fact that the differing Israeli, British, and Palestinian narratives continue to interpret in contrasting ways.

The 1946 bombing

The building had been constructed in 1931 by the Palestine Hotels Company, founded by Egyptian-Jewish banker Elie (Ezra) Mosseri (Historic Hotels Then & Now). By 1946, the British Mandate authorities had leased up to two-thirds of the hotel’s rooms, effectively turning the property into an administrative and military hub (Afikra / Daftar).

After the bombing, the British fortified the building and remained there until their withdrawal in May 1948. The British flag was lowered on 4 May 1948, and the site became a Jewish stronghold in the weeks before Israel’s independence (Jewish Virtual Library).

Who Owns the King David Hotel in Jerusalem?

The King David Hotel has been owned by the Israeli chain Dan Hotels since 1958 and is operated as the group’s flagship luxury property (Historic Hotels Then & Now).

Current owner

Dan Hotels, founded in 1947, manages more than a dozen hotels across Israel. The King David is part of the Leading Hotels of the World consortium, one of only two Israeli properties with that listing alongside the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem (The Times of Israel).

Previous ownership history

Originally built by the Palestine Hotels Company under Ezra Mosseri, the hotel was backed by Egyptian, American, and Swiss investors. Mosseri purchased the three-acre plot from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate around 1929 (Afikra / Daftar). The hotel opened in 1931 amid the British Mandate, and after the British withdrawal and the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, it sat on the border of no-man’s land until Jerusalem’s reunification in 1967, when it reopened under new management (Jewish Virtual Library).

How Much Does It Cost to Stay at the King David Hotel?

Nightly rates at the King David Hotel Jerusalem typically fall between €587 and €895, according to TripAdvisor data as of 2025. The wide spread reflects differences in room category, season, and booking platform.

Nightly rates

The hotel offers 206 rooms and 27 suites (per Dan Hotels); Travel Weekly reports 233 total rooms. Standard rooms are the most affordable, while suites — many with Old City views — command the upper end of the range. The Dan Hotels website displays live rate calendars and loyalty discounts for members of the E‑Dan club.

Factors influencing price

Rates vary by season: high-demand periods such as Easter, Jewish holidays, and summer peak push prices toward the top of the band. Business travel and state visits also affect availability. The hotel has faced increased competition on King David Street from the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem and the David Citadel Hotel (opened 1998, designed by Moshe Safdie), which may moderate pricing pressure (The Times of Israel; Safdie Architects).