BEST PLACES TO STAY IN JORDAN – GREAT AREAS AND HOTELS FOR ALL BUDGETS
Are you planning your Jordan itinerary and wondering about where to stay in Jordan? Then this post is for you. Find out about the best places to stay in Jordan – here are the best areas, and hotels for all budgets.
Jordan is absolutely amazing. It has become a trendy tourist destination, and that is for a good reason. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the Middle East and has so much to offer, from stunning scenery to small cute villages and fun cities.
It is a great place to visit for anyone: whether you are an adventurer or interested in history and culture, a family, or a solo female traveler, Jordan is a great place to see and it is also very safe overall… and let’s not forget Jordan’s generous hospitality. There are many reasons to discover this beautiful country.
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- Check out my post with general travel tips for Jordan.
- If you plan a Jordan road trip, check out this guide.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN JORDAN – GREAT AREAS AND HOTELS FOR ALL BUDGETS
So, here are my tips for areas to stay – including accommodation tips for Jordan.
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan, so of course, you must make a stop here. This traditional Arabic city is full of interesting things to do and fun activities. With about 4 million people living here, it is also very hectic and busy.
This city is the perfect place to either start or end your Jordan trip. It’s also in a convenient location, making it easy to take a day trip to Jerash, which is only 48 km north of the capital.
I would suggest staying for 1 night if you plan to be in Jordan for at least 7 days.
Where to Stay in Amman
$ – I stayed at the Nomads Hostel while I was in Amman. It was very conveniently located near Rainbow Street and made it easy for me to connect with other female travelers. The hostel was fun, modern, and clean, with a great location. Check it out here.
$$ – For a mid-range hotel option, I suggest Albasem Hotel, which is well-rated and centrally located. Check out rates and availabilities here.
$$$ – For a luxury hotel, try The House Boutique Suites, which is also near Rainbow Street and offers lots of amenities. Find out more about the hotel here.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is located along the western part of the country and is a great place to visit in Jordan. This salt lake is situated at the lowest land elevation in the world. If you are visiting this fun locale, one night is enough to experience it.
You should know that there are only luxury hotels here, which are quite expensive. But staying at one is great if you are looking to relax at the hotel’s private beach or lay out by the pool after a few busy days in Jordan – or if you need a place to refuel before the real adventure begins.
Best Places to Stay at the Dead Sea
$$ – I stayed at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa. The staff was really nice and very polite. My room was nice but a little outdated, especially in the bathroom, but the bed was comfortable. The hotel was done in the Arabic style, and breakfast and dinner were included. I would say it was definitely worth the money. Check out rates here.
$$$ – The Ma’in Hot Springs Resort & Spa is also a good place to stay, situated among beautiful mountain landscapes and offering relaxing spa amenities. Find out more about this luxury hotel here.
$$$ – The Kempinski Hotel is another luxury accommodation that sits at the edge of this famous salt lake. Find out about the rates. Find out rates here.
$ – For a more budget-friendly option, try the Dead Sea Spa Hotel, a well-rated 4-star hotel with great amenities and private beach access. Find the rates here.
Petra
The next great place to stay in Jordan is the country’s most famous and most popular area. This is not just because Indiana Jones was filmed here, though that has increased its popularity. No, it is also because Petra has been declared one of the world’s new Seven Wonders.
Petra is just amazing. You must stay there during your time in Jordan. There is so much to do, and it is so huge that you will not be able to see everything in one day. You will need to stay over at least one night. When you buy your Jordan Pass (which also includes the price for the visa) you have to choose whether you want to have a 1, 2, or 3-day access pass for Petra. I suggest visiting Petra for 2 days (if you are in Jordan for about one week).
Best Places to Stay in Petra / Wadi Musa
$$$ – The Mövenpick Resort is a very nice luxury hotel located just next to Petra. But it is very popular and fills up fast, so if you want to stay there, then I suggest you book early. It really is the perfect location. Check out rates here.
$$$ – Another beautiful place to stay near Petra is the Hayat Zaman Hotel And Resort Petra. It actually is a beautiful luxury hotel about a 15-minute drive (10 km) from Petra. It was my favorite place to stay in Jordan. It is a great choice if you don’t have to watch your budget closely, yet it offers great value for money. Check out the hotel here.
$$ – For a cheaper option, you can stay in Wadi Musa at the Cleopatra Hotel. It is only 2 km away from Petra. It is a simple place to stay but was fine for 2 nights as it is close to the main attractions. Read more about the hotel here.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a must-see place. Known as the Valley of the Moon, it is the largest wadi* in Jordan, so it doesn’t surprise that it is one of the best places to stay in Jordan.
* Wadi is Arabic and refers to a valley, ravine, or channel that is dry except in the rainy season.
There are several options to stay in Wadi Rum.
My tip is to stay in a Beduoin camp. Though they are made to appeal to visitors from around the world and have been adapted for this purpose, they still feel authentic. There are quite a few camps ranging from simple to luxurious, and most of them also offer desert tours.
I advise that you stay overnight so that you can watch the sunset over the wadi. Though it can rain, the experience is worth it.
My suggestion is to arrive in the late afternoon/evening, end your day in the camp, have dinner at the fire camp (and watch the sunset), and then do a full-day tour the next morning.
If you do a full-day tour, it ends around 5 or 6 pm, so you can then spend another night in the camp and then depart in the early morning.
The Bedouin camps will normally provide breakfast to guests, and you can also have dinner on request. If you do a full-day safari tour, lunch is normally included with a tour.
While there, I stayed in a simple but nice camp that I booked through Booking.com. However, for some reason, that camp is closed now.
Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
Make sure that you check out the tours offered when you book your accommodation.
$/$$ – This camp- Wadi Rum Desert Adventures – looks pretty similar to the camp I stayed at, and they also offer tours, so once you have your night booked, then email them and ask about tours. Check out rates here.
$$$ – This luxury camp – Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel – offers beautiful rooms with great views. Check out rates and availabilities here.
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city located on the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba in the south of Jordan. It is a top destination for water sports lovers and is the only coastal city in the country.
There are many beach resorts here as well, but this city generally attracts lovers of water sports. It is a popular destination for those who enjoy diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, and other water sports. It also has a rich history, dating back to 4,000 BC when it was first inhabited.
I didn’t go here because I don’t dive or snorkel, and with only a bit more than 7 days in Jordan, I had to set priorities about the places to visit. Still, Aqaba is very popular among visitors and a great place if you like windsurfing, scuba diving, etc.
The Yamanieh coral reef found at the Aqaba Marine Park is a favored dive site, and if you are into this, then Aqaba is a great place to stay in Jordan.
Best Places to Stay in Aqaba
$$$ – You can stay at Al Manara Hotel in Aqaba. It is a luxury resort highly rated for its location, service, and amenities. Check out the rates for this hotel here.
$$ – A more mid-range hotel would be the Lacosta Hotel, close to the beach and other attractions and often includes breakfast. Check out the rates for this hotel here.
$ – A budget option would be the Prestige Hotel which is not directly located on the beach but in quite close proximity. Check out the rates here.
Dana Reservation Camp
On the way from the Dead Sea to Petra, you will find the less popular and famous Dana Nature Reserve. Despite not being as well-known as other places in Jordan, Dana is gorgeous.
Everything here is quite simple, but it is a place for hiking and seeing great sunsets.
Whether you are staying a full day, two days, or even longer, Dana is a great place to visit in Jordan. It is a little different than the other spots you will see in the country, but that is part of its appeal. Normally, all hotels and Bedouin camps offer hiking tours, which you can join for a fee. Once you have booked your accommodations, ask about the hiking tours.
Where to Stay in Dana
$ – I stayed at Al Nawatef Bedouin Camp – a very basic camp. You have shared toilets, and the mattresses were not great. However, I still recommend it because the food and the views are great (and the sunset from here is top! So, I definitely enjoyed my stay at there (plus it is very budget-friendly). Check out their rates here.
$$ – If you are looking for a bit more comfort, you will probably find it at Mount Dana Hotel. You can check out their rates and amenities.
CONCLUSION: WHERE TO STAY IN JORDAN
Jordan is an amazing country with so many places to see. Whether it is a 5-star luxury hotel or a tent in a Bedouin camp, you will get to see and experience the true beauty of Jordan if you pick the right activities and the perfect accommodation for you.
As stunning as Jordan is, staying in one place and only doing day trips is not the best idea. So, traveling around – and changing hotels – is the best way to see the country.
I also hope you have found the answer to your question on where to stay in Jordan and now know which hotels and areas to choose when planning your Jordan trip (whether you do a road trip or do day trips).
Here are more tips on how to create your Jordan itinerary.
- READ MORE: Solo female travel in Jordan
