The World Travel Awards, often dubbed the “Oscars” of global tourism, announced its 2024 winners for the Middle East region. For the second consecutive year—and the third time overall—the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, part of the Hilton chain, was voted Israel’s Best Hotel.
Another Jerusalem gem, the American Colony Hotel, was named Israel’s Best Boutique Hotel, while the David Kempinski Tel Aviv once again won the title of Israel’s Best Hotel Suite. The InterContinental David Tel Aviv retained its title as Israel’s Leading Conference Hotel, and the Carlton Tel Aviv was once again recognized as Israel’s Leading Business Hotel. Meanwhile, Eshet Tours maintained its distinction as Israel’s Leading Travel Agency.
The World Travel Awards have been presented annually since 1993 to honor excellence across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Winners are chosen through votes from industry professionals in more than 160 countries—including representatives of hotels, travel agencies, and airlines—alongside votes from the general public.
Each region is evaluated separately, and the regional winners will compete for the global titles to be announced in December.
“This is a tremendous source of pride for the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, for the Hilton brand, for our staff, and for Jerusalem itself,” said Avner On, general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem. “Winning this award for the second year in a row proves that it’s possible to lead Israel’s tourism industry even during challenging times—while maintaining world-class service and hospitality standards. We invest significant resources to provide guests with an unforgettable experience, from fine dining to the smallest details. We’ll continue to represent Israel and Jerusalem with pride on the international stage.”
Built on the site of the historic Palace Hotel at an investment of about $150 million, the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem features 226 rooms, including 29 luxury suites, a grand ballroom, high-tech conference facilities, gourmet restaurants, a fitness center, and a spa.
The timeless charm of the American Colony
Winning its ninth title as Israel’s top boutique hotel, the American Colony Hotel remains one of Jerusalem’s most storied properties. General manager Alex Nasser said the hotel recently underwent a comprehensive renovation “to elevate the guest experience while preserving its unique atmosphere.”
“We will continue to uphold our high standards of service and the special spirit that has made the American Colony so beloved,” he said.
The hotel’s storied charm has drawn an extraordinary guest list over the years, including Sting, Richard Gere, Jane Fonda, Bob Dylan, Robert De Niro, Natalie Portman, Winston Churchill, Marc Chagall, Ingrid Bergman, Leonard Bernstein, Kofi Annan, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Jimmy Carter, among others. Diplomats, journalists, and artists have long considered it a Jerusalem icon.
Regional highlights: Qatar Airways and Dubai take the crown
In the broader Middle East categories, Qatar Airways was named the region’s leading airline, and its business class was also voted the best in the Middle East. Emirates won for its first-class service, while Etihad Airways took the top spot for its economy class. The Dubai International Airport was recognized as the best airport in the Middle East.
Among hotels and resorts, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi was crowned the region’s best all-inclusive resort. The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay won best family hotel, while Jumeirah Al Naseem in Dubai was named the Middle East’s leading hotel.
Dubai was also selected as the leading destination for 2025, and Doha, the capital of Qatar, was chosen as the Middle East’s leading city destination.