The newest addition to the list of cool hostels in Jerusalem! Cinema Hostel is beautifully rebuilt in an old cinema in the New City. I came here… well, really, just to see how cool this place is! The price including breakfast is $22-$26. The location is great, the price is great, let’s see if I liked my stay here!
Location
It’s 4 minutes walk from Yafo Center Light Rail Station. It’s in the prime location of Jerusalem with easy access to both the Old City and to Mehane Yehuda Market. Lots of restaurants around. So, it’s ideal!
I took this picture in 2018 when I stayed at Shammai Suites (Read my experience!). I noticed this abandoned theatre, little did I know… it became a hostel in a year!
Isn’t it beautiful after reconstruction?
The entrance is on the left. Now, let’s go to the “Cinema”!
Check-In
The staff at the counter was local. I asked him why this hostel has an age restriction (18-45)? He said… “it’s not a strict rule, just a recommendation.”
Well, such “flexibility” is so common in Israel. But I don’t think age defines a person, someone who is 60 but still young at heart, might still share the value of staying in a hostel!
So I asked him if I could take a picture…. and he gave me this pose, haha!
The check-in went well, but what happened next upset me. The room key failed 3 times!! I had to come down for 2 times, all the way down!! I wasted at least 10 minutes just for “trying” to get into the room. When it failed the third time… I gave up and left. 🙁
What I didn’t like about Cinema Hostel
Unfortunately, I immediately found what I didn’t like about Cinema Hostel. Well, you are supposed to make your own bed. First, pick your pillowcase, bed sheet and quilt cover behind the reception…
Why I don’t like this? Well, I’m lazy and there’s no guarantee that someone else isn’t as lazy as me! While this reduces the workload, it gives doubts to guests. Is this place clean?
I wouldn’t risk this. (If I was a hostel owner…)
And the second thing I didn’t like about cinema hostel …. there’s no elevator.
When I saw there wasn’t an elevator, the first thing that came into my mind was… I miss the Post Hostel!
The Facility
There’s plenty of space to socialize in this hostel. There’s a huge balcony, and it certainly looks cozy!
Cinema hostel has its own pub! It’s on the second floor! I didn’t go of course, but maybe some people will find this pretty convenient!
Don’t worry about the noise factor because all the rooms are on the third floor. I didn’t hear any noise!
There’s a complete and spacious kitchen! It looks great!
And finally… the common room! It’s spacious, comfortable, fun, hippy, just everything you want in a dream hostel!
Okay, let’s be honest, I wanted to stay here because of the design 😉 It’s visually appealing!
So that small area is the kitchen. All rooms are behind the kitchen!
The Rooms
All rooms are located in this area.
I was in a 12-person dorm. When I got there (I came back after dinner and finally I got a new key that worked!), I was too shy to take a picture… I took this picture in the morning….
So let’s see their official pictures!
There’s a basket below every bed. (2 baskets below bunkbeds). Your quilt and pillow are placed inside the basket. I didn’t know this because the staff didn’t tell me (was I supposed to know?)
There’s a personal cupboard for socket and light near where your head lies. I like this design because you don’t have to worry about electronics being stolen. BUT! The previous guest left trash here and it wasn’t removed… This isn’t hard to miss if the dorm room was cleaned… And that is the reason why I doubt everyone would properly make their own bed… (but good thing that while I am observant and opinionated, I don’t have a high standard for cleanliness. I slept well! Haha!)
I like how spacious the room was!
The shower-room looked like this. The sink is in the middle. Shower and toilet are separated. I didn’t have trouble waiting, even though I stayed in a 12-bed dorm!
Maybe I was lucky to have polite roommates? I’m not sure!
Breakfast
This is the “very good breakfast”. Included in the room price. Available from 7am to 9 am.
The breakfast station looks like this. Cereal, eggs, cheese, tuna, milk, vegetables. Well, if you are eating breakfast at home, I guess you don’t eat with this many options. So I guess this is fine for a few days before it gets boring.
Let’s meet them! Your friends at breakfast!
It wasn’t a bad breakfast. But if the price is the same, I’d choose The Post Hostel over Cinema Hostel. Breakfast is more luxurious there with hot shakshuka and freshly squeezed juice… there’s no comparison!
Oh! This reminds me of the super slow coffee machine in Cinema Hostel… I was frowning the whole time :/ And I didn’t like their coffee.
Activities
Cinema Hostel is trying to stand out in the market segmentation with the social aspect, but it feels like they are trying too hard. I didn’t like the 18-45 rule. Anyways, so the night I arrived was movie night…. it was okay.
And the Pub Crawl, I think most hostels have this activity anyways. I asked the staff about activities, he wasn’t ready with information… that was confusing…
“I should have it somewhere, give me one minute.” ….
Information about music and movie activities. But it’s in a cafe called Tmol Shilshom, not in this hostel.
Help Exchange Option
I accidentally found this information online- the hostel is looking for help. For 5 hours work, 6 days a week, you get free board and breakfast in exchange.
Link：https://www.worldpackers.com/locations/cinema-hostel-jerusalem
Requirement：3 weeks minimum
Hey, this is Jerusalem! It’s worth considering!
Final Verdict
For $22, I had a bed and breakfast. There’s nothing to complain! The vibe was good. But I personally prefer the Post Hostel because of the breakfast and elevator. When the price difference is not more than $5, I’ll choose the Post Hostel over this one.
Cinema Hostel — 2019
Comment：Ignore its market positioning, it’s pretty perfect (12-bed dorm $22-26)
