Where should one stay in Jordan?

Holidays are special. Roaming hand in hand with your loved one or with your little kids on shoulder, shopping in the famous markets or sipping hot coffee in the quirkiest café of the city. Holidays are meant to enjoy every bit while you are there and create beautiful memories which urge one to go on many more holidays. But the intricate part of a happy, memorable holiday is where you stay.

Whether you stay at a hotel or with a family in their home, a hostel or go for home exchange, it does have a special place in your whole trip.

Jordan, a country of culture, heritage and history offers a great deal when it comes to vacationing with friends and family or if it’s a romantic getaway. Jordan is a whole package with deep blue Red Sea to amazing Dead Sea, natural hot spring, desert, hills, monasteries, beautiful souk and lively cafes. I think apart from snow, I found literally everything in Jordan which can make for a beautiful package.

Crown Plaza, Amman

Pictures taken from hotel website
My journey started from Amman and we stayed at the Crown Plaza. It was a dimly lit, white fabric and wooden furniture based room. A huge glass window with a view to the beautiful lights of the hotel property. A place where you can have a peaceful stay with your family. The room amenities has an addition of an oil based forehead roller for a tired you. It really was a boon after a long flight followed by a whole day out for a good night’s sleep.

Places of interest: Citadel, Jerash, Rainbow Street, Royal Automobile Museum. Eat at Sufra Restaurant & Café. You can read more about what and how I explored Amman here.

Petra Guest house, Petra


My second pit stop was Petra and here we checked in to the Petra Guest House, a property literally next to the gates to Petra, the Treasury. It also had a dark, disco lights based, very Arabic themed bar “The Cave” which I feel is the guest house’s USP. The room was little small in comparison to my stay at Amman but very comfortable and I had a room with a view of “The Siq”. It was all brown; rocks and sand as well as the buildings carved in those rocks and walls.

Places of interest: Little Petra, Petra Kitchen, The Treasury, Monastery. Eat at Al Qantarah Restaurant. Also, did you know “The Treasury” is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Read here to know more about it.

Captains Desert Camp, Wadi Rum


Staying in a desert camp had always been on my wish list. I checked in the Captain’s desert camp in style and tents were a stylish ensemble in the middle of nowhere. Light coloured sand with huge rocks in sight from where we also witnessed a beautiful sunset make one Wadi Rum, the Earth’s own Mars. The stay was perfect, cold breezy night, sky full of stars, the noise of screeching desert foxes and the tent with everything so perfect. The dinner and musical night where Mohammed Ali played Oud made a perfect stay at this beautiful Bedouin Camp.

Places of Interest: Wadi Rum desert where you can go for sand dunes, camel ride and watch sunset at Al Ghuroub; seven pillars of wisdom (Jabal al-Mazmar). Have Jordanian tea at one of the Bedouin camp like restaurants. Read more about it here.

Movenpick Hotels & Resort, Aqaba


A true example of incredible hospitality & luxury. We were welcomed with a bottle of lemon and mint based juice and beautiful smiles on the faces of staff. I was in awe as I entered my room. The beautiful light coloured English interior and was full of light, the room indeed awaited us with a box full of cookies and a lovely gift. The view from my balcony was beautiful, I could also get a glimpse of Red Sea from it. The amenities were perfect. I had a great time in Jacuzzi and spent the next day early morning at their private beach of Red sea. Their staff was the best I have seen so far, and they were mostly from Philippines. When I asked them about how they find living in Jordan and working with Movenpick, they all went gaga over their Employer. When we were leaving they bid adieu with a huge smile and a very special icecream. Who says no to dessert?

Places of Interest: Go cruising in Red Sea, Al Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque, Shopping at famous Aqaba market. Dinner at Royal Yacht Club. Read more about the Oasis of Jordan here.

Dead Sea Marriott Resort and Spa, Dead Sea


A name which is very famous. The chain of Marriott hotels, who doesn’t know about them. As we reached the hotel, the very first sign board was of Dead Sea and that we were 373 m below sea level. The room was beautiful and huge. Again a balcony with amazing view and private beach to Dead Sea. The way to Dead Sea was beautifully maintained, a boulevard with shrubs and bougainvillea running along. The property is amazing and a small restaurant where we had our lunch had a beautiful interior, do try Il Terrazzo if you happen to stay in Marriott.

Places of Interest: Dead Sea. Read about my experience of a lifetime here.

Ma’in Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Ma’in Hot Springs (somewhere between Dead Sea & Madaba)


Well this resort was literally in the middle of nowhere. Surrounded by huge hills and rocks and water gushing nearby. It felt that I have entered the woods. The furniture was only in wood and natural brown with hues of red and yellow color when it came to fabric and yellow lights in the room gave an impression as if I was staying in a tree house. The view from my balcony was so amazing, I could see waterfall / hot spring. The swimming pool in the resort also had hot water which was coming from the natural hot spring. At night, when we sat for our meal, to our surprise, buffet this time included a few Indian dishes as well and gajar halwa in dessert. We soon came to know that there was one Indian chef as well who had included some Indian recipes for us. I had a long chat with him and during the conversation he revealed that he hailed from Bihar and had been living in Jordan for quite some time with his family in India whom he visit only twice a year. It was our last night in Jordan and so many things Indian definitely made me feel more home sick. The stay was again perfect.

Places of Interest: On the way from Dead Sea you can see Baptism site, Bethany beyond the Jordan, Jordan River, Mt Nebo. At the resort you can enjoy Ma’in Hot Spring. Dine at the resort itself.

I am sure you will enjoy your vacation in Jordan, what are you waiting for? Go for a holiday like never before.

P.S. 
- This travelogue was originally posted on The Brown Scooter.
- All pictures are taken by me accept otherwise mentioned.

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