The David Citadel hotel - Jerusalem, Israel

From its perch on King David Street, a short stride from the Old City’s western Jaffa Gate, the David Citadel has kept tabs on Jerusalem’s visiting elite since it first opened its doors nearly two decades ago.

Now in a bid to maintain its iconic status, the property has been coaxed back to life by Italian designer Piero Lissoni, whose mood board takes its cues from the city’s honeyed tones; timber wall panels and oak parquet flooring sets the scene for a masculine aesthetic that is pulled together with custom Lissoni-designed furnishings, lighting by Flos and a rich colour palette accented with royal blue, bottle green and threads of gold.

Meanwhile, graphic serigraphed glass panels in each of the guest rooms have been inspired by Scottish artist David Roberts’ 1834 tour of what is now modern-day Israel.

The Seasons restaurant is due to re-open soon, but no matter: a taste of that famous Israeli breakfast can be sampled at the nearby Mahane Yehuda Market, a quick 20-minute walk away.