Jordan Locations & Hotels

Petra

Much has been written about Petra but on actually seeing it for the first time, it really does take your breath away & is much larger than you may expect. You enter the site by walking through a huge crack in the rock - called a Siq, and for over 1km you'll pass by carvings in the walls, see how the ancient Arab settlers got water to their city via a series of jars connected together and marvel at the different colours and rock formations along the way. When you turn the last corner and see The Treasury through the gap in the rock, it really is breathtaking & a stunning scene! The cities temples & tomb facades were carved into the sheer rock face, by the Nabataeans over 2000 years ago. The long walk (or donkey ride) up the 900 steps to the Monastry is definitely worth the effort & Little Petra is also worth a visit. You can easily spend 3 or 4 days in this area alone.

Taybet Zaman, Petra 4*

This charming hotel was actually once a Bedouin village and is situated about 20 minutes from the main entrance to the Petra Site. A charming hotel, bursting with character where the bedrooms are original Bedouin houses with their own courtyard. All built in authentic sandstone and furnished in keeping with the Jordanian style of rustic wood and carpets, the Taybet has wonderful views across Wadi Musa (Moses Valley).

Movenpick Hotel, Petra 5*

This is the only 5* hotel in Petra, & has standard rooms, superior rooms with balcony, interconnecting rooms and a Royal and Presidential Suite. The hotel boasts a roof garden, swimming pool, gym and steam room. This hotel is only two minutes walk to the entrance of the ancient city of Petra.

Crowne Plaza, Petra 4*

With excellent views across the entrance and some of the Nabatatean built tombs of Petra, this hotel has a lovely outdoor pool and terrace. The rooms are either in the main building (standard rooms) with views or in single story chalet style blocks (grand floor rooms) facing the hills of Petra.

Nabataean Castle, Petra, 4* (Movenpick)

The view from this hotel is stunning - directly across Wadi Musa (Moses Valley). Approximately a ten minute drive from the entrance to Petra, the hotel has a large indoor pool with a gym and superb views from the dining room.

Beit Zaman, Petra 4*

In a similar style to the Taybet Zaman, this hotel was formerly houses of the Bedouin people and has been sympathetically restored. In fact whilst renovating this hotel, archaeological remains of the Nabataeans were found and these have been left as a feature in the foyer. The hotel has a large indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and bar area. Beit Zaman is approximately ten minutes drive from the entrance to Petra.

Dead Sea

At the lowest point on earth & only 1 hour from Amman you will find the Dead Sea. At over 400m below sea level the Dead Sea has a salt content so high, it is impossible for any creature or plant to live in its waters. Visitors either pass by on a day trip to have a float in the mineral rich waters or there are some fantastic Spa hotels where you can stay & enjoy a huge range of spa treatments, their private sandy beaches, restaurants etc. From the Dead Sea area you can also visit the Mujib Nature Reserve - the lowest altitude nature reserve in the world.

Movenpick, Dead Sea, 5*

Situated right on the banks of the Dead Sea, this hotel offers excellent views across the Dead Sea, wonderful facilities and supreme comfort. The rooms are built in the style of a Bedouin Village and the gardens are full of fragrant plants and flowers. With a choice of 9 café bars and restaurants there is something on offer to suit everyone. The hotel has an excellent Spa, that offers many different treatments. The Spa even has its own 'Dead Sea Pool' with the same water/salt ratio as the actual sea.

Kempinski Ishtar Hotel, Dead Sea, 5*

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea offers was designed as a tribute to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Built with local stone there are 318 rooms and suites within a stylish Arabesque monument building. For a more luxurious and exclusive stay, the hotel also offers Ishtar Villas. All Rooms and suites benefit from stunning views of the Dead Sea with spacious patios or balconies. Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea has a total of 9 fresh water swimming pools and an excellent spa using many of the minerals and mud gleaned from the Dead Sea.

Amman

The capital city of Jordan is Amman and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the World. Built over 7 hills, Amman has several ancient ruins and museums that are worth a visit but can generally be seen in one day. The City is divided into two halves - downtown and up town. About 40 minutes from the airport, Amman is worth visiting for the atmosphere of its souks, bazaars and traditional coffee houses and for the superb modern shopping malls and traditional stores.

Much of Amman is currently under construction but still has a combination of modern & old with the city having Roman ruins and a stunning amphitheatre.

Hyatt Hotel, Amman, 5*

A modern city centre hotel, The Hyatt has excellent facilities and a choice of restaurants and bars. The rooms are all comfortably furnished with en-suite facilities and air conditioning. The hotel has a fully equipped gym, a sauna, steam-room and Jacuzzi. The large swimming pool is wonderful in the evening when the ceiling is lit up with small lights, looking like stars.

Kempinski Hotel, Amman 5*

A new addition in 2006, this modern city centre hotel has superb facilities. Excellently situated in the city for visiting restaurants and bars, the hotel has both indoor and outdoor swimming pool, full leisure centre with bowling, cinema and shopping. Also available is a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

Four Seasons Hotel, Amman 5*

The smallest of the international hotels in Amman, The Four Seasons is, as you would expect, stylish, calm and polished. The rooms are well furnished and comfortable and the hotel has a beautiful spa with massage and treatment rooms. The large outdoor pool has great views across the city.

Jerash and Umm Quais

Situated in the North of Jordan - about 45 minutes from the Capital, lies Jerash. An ancient Roman city that is believed to be the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. Jerash can boast an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. Jerash came under Roman rule after being conquered in 63BC and was widely regarded as one of the great ten Roman cities.

Umm Quais is further north & is a dramatic black-basalt Roma city with panoramic views over the Sea of Galilee & Golan Heights. Jerash & Umm Quai can easily be visited as a day trip from Amman, the Dead Sea or Madaba.

A visit to Pella is also a great recommendation. Here you can see excavated ruins from the Roman period, remains from 4th century BC, the remains of Bronze & Iron age walled cities, Byzantine churches & a small medieval mosque.

Wadi Rum

Known as 'The Valley of the Moon', this desert Bedouin landscape is like no other & is one of the great natural landscapes of the world. Huge monolithic rocks rise up from the valley floor and create a bizarre landscape, the stunning setting for the film Lawrence of Arabia. Used for thousands of years as part of the 'caravan route', you'll see drawings etched into the rocks that gave directions for travellers of old.

Wadi Rum inspired T.E Lawrence in Seven Pillars of Wisdom to pen perhaps the best description of Rum: "vast, echoing and godlike" This is the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War 1, and their exploits are intrinsically woven into the history of this amazing area.

During the daytime you can enjoy walks through the desert, explore canyons and water holes, travel by camel and climb the endless number of sand dunes.

Camping overnight in the desert is an amazing experience, but be prepared to feel the chill in the evenings. There as camping options from standard camps to Deluxe camps or you can have a private camp set up just for you.

Aqaba

Jordan's splendid Red Sea resort is its only beach and sea port. A stay in Aqaba is the ideal area to spend a few days relaxation on the beach either mid tour or at the end of your stay in Jordan. As the countries only outlet to the sea it is extremely popular with Jordanians despites its holiday image is actually a very important commercial port. The Israeli city of Eilat is amazingly close & at night you can see the cities lights as clearly as those of Aqaba. There are several dive centres in Aqaba & for those who prefer to keep their feet dry, there are glass bottomed boats and submarines to view the underwater world.

Movenpick, Aqaba 5*

A beautiful hotel, very tastefully designed. Throughout the hotel artwork adorns the walls. The hotel has excellent facilities including 7 restaurants and bars a private beach and beautiful & fragrant gardens. There are a number of different swimming pools including one for adults only and a children's pool.

Intercontinental Hotel, Aqaba, 5*

A large hotel with its own beach and large swimming pool. The hotel has a choice of restaurants and bars offering both local and international cuisine. The rooms are very well furnished with all the facilities you would expect from a 5* international hotel.

Madaba

Madaba is know as the "City of Mosaics" & an ideal place to spend your 1st or last night(s) in Jordan, as it is closer to Amman airport that Amman city itself. Whilst staying here you will have the opportunity to see the 6th century mosaic Madaba map of Palestine & Egypt. Mount Nebo is also nearby & is Jordan's single most important biblical site as is where it is believed that Moses looked over the Promised Land.

Madaba Inn

Is located in the centre of the city & within walking distance of the excellent restaurants & shops the city has to offer.

Dana Nature Reserve

Is a protected Nations reserve overseen by Jordan's RSCN (Royal Society for the Protection of Nature) & combines scientific research, social reconstruction & sustainable tourism. Dana offers a vast diversity of landscapes from wooded highlands to rocky slopes, sand dunes & stony deserts. It is home to 703 species of plants, 215 species of birds & 38 species of mammals. Dana is a real joy for nature lovers (especially ornithologists), hikers, trekkers & amateur photographers.

Accommodation: there is a hand full of Eco-friendly guest houses in the area.

Dana Guest House.

Is located at the edge of a traditional stone village, high on the cliffs overlooking the Dana nature reserve in the southern Rift Valley. The guesthouse is run by Bedouin under the direction of RSCN.

Azraq wetlands reserve

Azraq is a unique wetland oasis in the heart of the semi-arid Jordanian desert. It is managed by the RSCN & is a perfect location to bird watch.

Azraq Eco Lodge

A short distance form the wetlands the RSCN has opened a eco-lodge in a former British field hospital.

Desert Castles

The desert castles are in East of the country & an ideal stop-off en route to Azraq. Or they can be visited on a day trip from Amman. Examples of the Desert castles include.. Hammam as-Sarh, Qasr al-Hallabat, Qasr-al-Hallabat, Qasr al-Azraq, Qusayr Amra.

Crusader Castles

2 stunning Crusader castles are Karak & Shawbak.. Karak can be included either from the Dead Sea as a day trip or en route traveling up or down the Kings Highway. Shawbak is only 1 hours from Petra. Both castles were built in the Crusader times over 800 years ago & definitely worth including at least one of them on your itinerary.