Accommodation Guide for Jordan
Accommodation Options in Jordan
Jordan offers a diverse range of accommodation options to suit every budget and travel style. From luxury resorts overlooking the Dead Sea to authentic Bedouin camps under the stars in Wadi Rum, your choice of where to stay can greatly enhance your Jordan experience.
Quick Summary
- Luxury experience: 5-star hotels in Amman, Dead Sea resorts
- Mid-range comfort: 3-4 star hotels, boutique properties
- Budget options: Hostels, guesthouses, budget hotels
- Unique stays: Bedouin camps, ecolodges, homestays
- Booking ahead: Essential in high season (Mar-May, Sep-Nov)
Accommodation by Destination
Amman
As Jordan's capital and largest city, Amman offers the widest range of accommodation options in the country, from international luxury chains to budget hostels.
Luxury Options
- Four Seasons Hotel Amman: Located in the prestigious 5th Circle area with panoramic city views
- The St. Regis Amman: Elegant luxury in the diplomatic area
- W Amman: Contemporary luxury with vibrant design
- Fairmont Amman: Sophisticated rooms and excellent dining options
Price range: JD150-400 ($210-560) per night
Mid-Range Options
- Amman Rotana: Modern tower hotel with excellent facilities
- The House Boutique Suites: Elegant apartment-style accommodation
- Kempinski Hotel Amman: Reliable international standard
- Corp Amman Hotel: Comfortable rooms in a central location
Price range: JD70-150 ($100-210) per night
Budget Options
- The Sydney Hotel: Simple rooms in downtown Amman
- Jordan Tower Hotel: Basic but clean with a great location
- Cliff Hostel: Affordable dormitory and private rooms
- Nomads Hotel & Hostel: Social atmosphere with rooftop terrace
Price range: JD15-70 ($20-100) per night
Neighborhood Guide
- Jabal Amman & Rainbow Street: Trendy area with cafes, restaurants, and boutique hotels
- Downtown (Balad): Historic center with budget options and local atmosphere
- Abdoun & Sweifieh: Upscale residential areas with luxury hotels
- Shmeisani: Business district with mid-range and upscale options
Pro Tip
For a local experience in Amman, consider staying in the Jabal Amman or Jabal al-Weibdeh neighborhoods. These historic districts offer charming boutique hotels, local cafes, and art galleries within walking distance.
Petra (Wadi Musa)
Accommodation in Petra is concentrated in the adjacent town of Wadi Musa. Options range from luxury hotels with views of the mountains to simple guesthouses within walking distance of the Petra entrance.
Luxury Options
- Mövenpick Resort Petra: Located directly at the entrance to Petra
- Petra Marriott Hotel: Panoramic views from a hillside location
- The Old Village Hotel & Resort: Atmospheric property in converted traditional houses
Price range: JD120-250 ($170-350) per night
Mid-Range Options
- Petra Guest House Hotel: Just steps from the entrance with a cave bar
- Petra Moon Hotel: Comfortable rooms and a rooftop pool
- P Quattro Relax Hotel: Modern hotel with good amenities
Price range: JD60-120 ($85-170) per night
Budget Options
- Rocky Mountain Hotel: Simple rooms with mountain views
- Valentine Inn: Budget-friendly with free shuttle to Petra
- Petra Capsule Hostel: Modern pod-style beds for backpackers
Price range: JD15-60 ($20-85) per night
Location Considerations
- Near the entrance: Most convenient but often more expensive
- Wadi Musa town center: More dining options and local atmosphere
- Hillside locations: Better views but may require transportation to the site
Pro Tip
If you're planning to do the "Petra by Night" experience (which runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings), staying close to the entrance is particularly convenient as the event ends late.
Wadi Rum
Staying in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum is one of Jordan's most unique accommodation experiences. Options range from basic traditional camps to luxury "glamping" experiences.
Luxury Desert Camps
- Memories Aicha Luxury Camp: Transparent bubble tents for stargazing
- Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp: Full-service luxury tents with private bathrooms
- Sun City Camp: Famous for its Martian domes
Price range: JD100-300 ($140-420) per night, often including dinner and breakfast
Mid-Range Camps
- Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp: Comfortable tents with shared facilities
- Rahayeb Desert Camp: Traditional experience with modern amenities
- Hasan Zawaideh Camp: Family-run camp with good food
Price range: JD50-100 ($70-140) per night, usually including meals
Basic Camps
- Bedouin Directions Camp: Authentic experience with basic facilities
- Wadi Rum Beduland Camp: Simple tents with traditional hospitality
- Bedouin Life Style Camp: No-frills desert experience
Price range: JD25-50 ($35-70) per night, including meals
What to Expect
- Most camps include dinner and breakfast in their rates
- Many offer jeep tours and other activities as packages
- Electricity may be limited to certain hours (except in luxury camps)
- Wi-Fi is rare, and cell service is limited
- Shared bathrooms are common in basic and mid-range camps
Pro Tip
Book a camp that's located deep within the protected area rather than near the visitor center for a more immersive desert experience. The best camps are reached by 4x4 transfer and offer spectacular sunset views from their location.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea shoreline is home to several luxury resorts that take advantage of the area's unique natural features. Most properties offer private beach access and spa facilities using Dead Sea minerals.
Luxury Resorts
- Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea: Expansive property with multiple pools
- Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa: Modern luxury with excellent facilities
- Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea: Village-style resort with extensive gardens
Price range: JD120-300 ($170-420) per night
Mid-Range Options
- Dead Sea Spa Hotel: One of the original Dead Sea hotels with medical spa
- Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea: Family-friendly with good amenities
- Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dead Sea: Comfortable option with private beach
Price range: JD70-120 ($100-170) per night
Budget Options
True budget accommodation is limited at the Dead Sea. For more affordable options:
- Consider day trips from Amman or Madaba
- Look for deals at the mid-range hotels during off-season
- Use public beaches like Amman Beach (entrance fee applies) and stay elsewhere
Pro Tip
Dead Sea resort prices can drop significantly in summer (June-August) when temperatures are extremely high. If you can tolerate the heat and plan your Dead Sea activities for early morning or late afternoon, you can find excellent deals.
Aqaba
Jordan's only coastal city offers a range of accommodation options from international resorts to local hotels, all providing access to the Red Sea.
Luxury Options
- Kempinski Hotel Aqaba: Sleek design with private beach
- Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort: Modern resort in the Ayla development
- Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel: Elegant property with Saraya Aqaba lagoon views
Price range: JD120-250 ($170-350) per night
Mid-Range Options
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba: City hotel with rooftop pool
- Oryx Hotel Aqaba: Comfortable rooms in the city center
- Marina Plaza Hotel: Near the marina with sea views
Price range: JD60-120 ($85-170) per night
Budget Options
- Darna Village Beach Hostel: Beachfront hostel with private and dorm rooms
- My Hotel: Simple but clean rooms in the city center
- Lacosta Hotel: Budget option with a pool
Price range: JD20-60 ($28-85) per night
Location Considerations
- North Beach: Quieter area with better snorkeling and diving access
- City Center: More dining options and local atmosphere
- Tala Bay: Resort complex south of the city
- Ayla: New development with marina and lagoons
Other Destinations
Madaba
- Luxury: Grand Hotel Madaba
- Mid-range: Mosaic City Hotel, Mariam Hotel
- Budget: Moab Land Hotel, Salome Hotel
Dana Biosphere Reserve
- Unique: Dana Guesthouse (ecolodge with spectacular views)
- Luxury: Feynan Ecolodge (solar-powered desert lodge)
- Basic: Rummana Campsite (tent accommodation in nature)
Jerash
Limited accommodation options; most visitors stay in Amman and visit as a day trip.
- Mid-range: Olive Branch Hotel
- Budget: Hadrian's Gate Hotel
Unique Accommodation Experiences
Homestays
For an authentic cultural experience, consider a homestay with a local family. Organizations like the Jordan Tourism Board's "Meaningful Travel Map" can help arrange these experiences in villages like:
- Umm Qais: Stay with local families in this northern village with Roman ruins
- Ajloun: Forest reserve area with family homestay options
- Feynan: Bedouin homestays in this remote desert area
Price range: JD30-60 ($40-85) per night, often including meals
Ecolodges
Jordan has several ecolodges that offer sustainable accommodation in natural settings:
- Feynan Ecolodge: Solar-powered lodge in the Dana Biosphere Reserve
- Ajloun Forest Reserve Cabins: Wooden cabins in a highland forest
- Azraq Lodge: Converted 1940s British military hospital near the wetland reserve
Price range: JD70-150 ($100-210) per night
Historic Properties
Several historic buildings have been converted into atmospheric hotels:
- Taybet Zaman Hotel & Resort: Former Ottoman village near Petra
- Old Village Resort: Traditional stone houses in Wadi Musa
- Beit Zaman: Historic property in Madaba
Booking Tips
When to Book
- High season (March-May, September-November): Book 2-3 months in advance, especially for Petra and Wadi Rum
- Shoulder season (February, June, December): Book 1-2 months ahead for best options
- Low season (July-August, January): Last-minute bookings often possible
- Holidays: Book well in advance for Eid periods, Christmas/New Year, and Easter
Saving Money
- Visit during shoulder or low season for significant discounts
- Many hotels offer better rates for direct bookings
- Package deals including tours can offer good value, especially in Wadi Rum
- Breakfast is often included; half-board options can be economical
- Some credit cards offer hotel benefits or points for stays
Important Considerations
- Tourist tax: Hotels charge a government tax (typically 7%) plus service charge (5-10%)
- Ramadan: Some facilities may have limited hours during the holy month
- Family rooms: Many hotels offer family rooms or connecting options
- Accessibility: Newer hotels generally have better accessibility features
- Wi-Fi: Available in most accommodations but quality varies
Pro Tip
For longer stays (3+ nights), don't hesitate to ask for discounts, especially in the off-season. Many hotels are willing to negotiate rates for extended stays or may offer complimentary upgrades.
Recommended Itinerary-Based Accommodation
Classic 7-Day Jordan Tour
- Days 1-2: Amman - The House Boutique Suites or Canary Hotel
- Days 3-4: Petra - Petra Guest House or Petra Moon Hotel
- Day 5: Wadi Rum - Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp or Sun City Camp
- Days 6-7: Dead Sea - Dead Sea Spa Hotel or Mövenpick Resort
Budget 5-Day Itinerary
- Days 1-2: Amman - Jordan Tower Hotel or Sydney Hotel
- Days 3-4: Petra - Valentine Inn or Rocky Mountain Hotel
- Day 5: Wadi Rum - Bedouin Directions Camp
Luxury 10-Day Experience
- Days 1-3: Amman - Four Seasons or St. Regis
- Day 4: Dana - Feynan Ecolodge
- Days 5-6: Petra - Mövenpick Resort Petra
- Days 7-8: Wadi Rum - Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
- Days 9-10: Dead Sea - Kempinski Ishtar