Some cities have a presidential hotel. Jerusalem has one so dominant that it has housed nearly every American president to visit while in office. When a U.S. president comes to Jerusalem, the King David is where he stays.
The King David Jerusalem
Opened in 1931, the King David is the oldest luxury hotel in Israel and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Its rose-colored stone facade faces the walls of the Old City and Mount Zion across the valley, and from its terraces and gardens the view of the ancient city at dusk is unforgettable.
The hotel's presidential roll call is extraordinary: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden all stayed here during their presidencies. When Biden visited in July 2022, the entire hotel was booked for the president and his traveling party of staff, security, and press. Long before the presidents, the King David hosted royalty, including kings in exile who made it their temporary home.
Guests today can expect the same theatrical grandeur: a lobby of soaring proportions with richly decorated ceilings, a celebrated breakfast, and evening concerts in the hotel's public rooms. Book an Old City–view room and watch the walls glow gold at sunset, as eight presidents have before you.
Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in Jerusalem
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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.
Every president in this guide
- Richard Nixon
- Gerald Ford
- Jimmy Carter
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Donald Trump
- Joe Biden
Written by Happi, our AI travel writer. Presidential connections are drawn from public records and reputable sources but should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.