From Dead Sea resorts and desert retreats to camping in reserves where Bedouin traditions still hold fast, Jordan’s wild landscapes and ancient sites offer up stays that catch the eye… and imagination
The camp is tucked behind a mountain, sheltered from wind and noise (Wadi Rum Quiet Village Camp)
Wadi Rum’s popularity means that it’s increasingly difficult to find the desert silence that many are seeking. Thankfully, this camp is tucked behind a towering mountain, so it’s sheltered from wind and noise yet still central enough to be within easy reach of the main trekking paths and climbing sites. Like many stays here, it offers basic Bedouin tents with shared facilities, but some of these also have heaters and en-suite bathrooms. However, if you’re keen to sleep out under the stars, that’s also possible during summer. There are certainly plenty of ways to make the most of your setting, with 4WD tours, camel rides (try a nighttime trek across desert dunes) and stories around the campfire.
More information: Tents from around £30 per night, including breakfast and dinner; wadirumquietvillage.camp
The pool at Al Himmah's Peace Resort (Discover Jordan)
This newly opened hot-springs property on Jordan’s northern border is ideal for intrepid travellers seeking an escape from the well-trodden tourist trail. Situated in a rural community on the Yarmouk River in Al Himmah, the only crowds you’re likely to encounter are the occasional herd of goats or a flock of sheep crossing the narrow lanes as you approach. Minimal decor allows the natural beauty of the area to shine, and the indoor and outdoor kitchens on-site make it easy for guests to cook and barbecue whenever they wish, or opt for hearty, homecooked Jordanian fare prepared fresh by a local chef. And as well as birdwatching from the riverside hot springs, the resort can also arrange artisan workshops, tours and hikes with local experts.
More information: Rooms from around £140 per night, including breakfast; rent the entire property for £570 per night; discoverjordan.com
Luxury bedrooms inside Four Seasons Hotel Amman (Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts)
As Amman’s first luxury hotel, the Four Seasons has been setting a high standard since 2003. From elegant flower displays to a cabana-lined pool deck and attentive staff, it’s a genuine star, with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill rooms with widescreen views and natural light. Indeed, a night here often feels more like being in a luxury resort than an inner-city hotel. Start or end your stay with a spa treatment that incorporates local traditions and ingredients (such as oud oil and mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea), then bag dinner at La Capitale and a good night’s sleep on those famously plush beds. For added peace, you can even book a mountaintop meditation session with a shepherd.
More information: Rooms from around £250 per night, including breakfast; fourseasons.com
Bedouin culture is the main focus of this stay (Julie Shipman)
Sleeping in a goat-hair tent among the lunar-like rock formations of the Al Beidha area (15 minutes’ drive from the Petra Visitor Center) makes for a memorable cultural encounter. While accommodation at the camp is rustic, with basic tents and shared facilities (hot water and electricity are available), the focus is on Bedouin culture, community and the beauty of the natural environment. In addition to easy access to the Siq Al Barid (Little Petra) archaeological site, stays here directly support the local Ammarin community; in return, they share their traditions through the on-site museum and Bedouin activities such as traditional breadmaking, storytelling and dancing.
More information: Tents from around £30 per night, including breakfast and dinner; bedouincamp.net
Feynan Ecolodge is in the heart of Dana Biosphere Reserve (Feynan Ecolodge)
The road to Feynan Ecolodge, in the heart of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, requires a bit of patience, a sense of adventure and a 4WD vehicle. Thankfully, the team can arrange a transfer if needed. It’s worth taking them up on it, because not only is this one of few socially and environmentally responsible properties in the country, but you get a chance to meaningfully engage with Jordan’s culture and the environment. Beyond its cosy, candlelit rooms you can experience Arabic coffee ceremonies with a Bedouin family, visit archaeological sites and learn about the local ecology on a guided hike, before ending the day by listening to Bedouin stargazing stories under a desert sky.
More information: Rooms from around £170 per night, including all meals, entrance to the reserve and some activities; ecohotels.me
You'll be treated like family at the Dead Sea Marriott Resort (Nicolas Dumont)
Several indoor and outdoor pools, including a large terrace with views of the Dead Sea, make this resort an especially welcoming spot for those with little inclination to roam. A private beach area even ensures access to the mineral-rich mud and waters without the crowds that festoon the rest of the shores. The pampering includes a sizeable spa, several restaurants and private balconies on which to relax between treatments. Be sure to also reserve a terrace table at Il Terrazzo Restaurant for when the sun sets, so as to savour panoramic views of the coast with your meal. While the location and amenities are indeed divine, the real star here is the service – from check-in to check-out you’ll be treated like family.
More information: Rooms from around £135 per night, excluding breakfast; marriott.com
The Movenpick Resort is right across the street from Petra's entrance (Movenpick Resort Petra)
Travellers eager to get an early start in Petra, before the crowds get too busy, will appreciate the Movenpick’s location – based directly across the street from the site’s main entrance. But there is more to this plush escape than an enviable address. This five-star resort is extravagantly furnished with Arab-inspired carved-stone interiors, textiles and handcrafted wood. It also provides personable service and a variety of ways to help you refresh after a dusty day of trekking ancient trails. Toast your journey with herb-infused cocktails in the Al Maqa’ad Bar (one of few places serving alcohol in the area), sample sweets at chocolate hour in the Al Multaqa Lounge or relax your muscles with a massage and a leisurely swim in the pool. Ending the day on a high note with a sunset barbecue on the rooftop garden is the perfect finale.
More information: Rooms from around £180 per night, including breakfast; movenpick.accor.com
Nightfall over Bei Al Fannan (Baraka Destinations)
True to its name (meaning ‘House of the Artist’), Beit Al Fannan was once the creative retreat of Jordanian artist and architect Ammar Khammash. In 2017, Baraka Destinations collaborated with him to reimagine the space for visitors. They retained the original idea of it as a place that encourages creativity and invites exploration, but also provide opportunities to connect with Pella’s community and history. Everything here, from the breezy daybed on the terrace to the art supplies and smattering of Khammash’s own work, has been thoughtfully chosen to reward curious travellers who relish the chance to tune into their environment. But while you may be tempted to spend all of your time inside, there’s plenty to see outdoors, with the ancient site of Pella on your doorstep and the chance to spend your morning shadowing a shepherd out among the hills.
More information: The private villa costs £170 per night; the studio apartment costs £110 per night, with both including breakfast; barakadestinations.com
Wild Jordan Lodge only has five rooms (Wild Jordan Lodge)
Set on a hillside across from the historic Citadel of Amman, this five-room lodge (on the site of the Wild Jordan Center) is well positioned as a base for exploring the capital. As well as an on-site restaurant, apartment-style amenities include a small stovetop, full-size refrigerator and a balcony overlooking ancient ruins. Best of all, you can easily reach sites such as the Roman Theatre without sitting in Amman traffic for hours. Just steps away are the markets of Al Balad (the old downtown), the vendors of Souk Jara, the rooftop restaurants of pedestrian-friendly Rainbow Street and more. The lodge also has an activity concierge to arrange adventures, as well as a Nature Shop offering locally made handicrafts.
More information: Rooms from around £90 per night, excluding breakfast; wildjordancenter.com
Views from Al Manara (Neil Corder/Marriott Bonvoy)
Jordanian hospitality and Arab design – including intricately patterned lanterns, woven textiles, wooden accents and dramatic arches – meet seaside luxury at Al Manara, where direct access to the Red Sea is just one of the perks on offer. Take full advantage of the coastal setting with a dip in a private lagoon or a snorkelling/diving excursion; there are also plenty of cultural encounters on-site at the artisan workshops in the Amwaj Art Hub. Or if you want to simply take it easy, there’s always the tempting option of a hot-sand massage. At the end of the day, sitting and watching the sun disappear over the sea from the terrace of Kubba Levantin Restaurant feels like a well-earned reward.
More information: Rooms from around £152 per night, excluding breakfast; marriott.com
Kempinski is a great wellness escape (Joe Agdeppa/Kempinski Hotels)
If health, wellness and a bit of pampering are your priority, where better to find them than in a hotel inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon? This Kempinski stay certainly makes for a plush retreat, with its manicured gardens, customisable spa treatments and good service. Visitors can expect the height of hospitality at the lowest point on Earth (431m below sea level). Take your pick from nine outdoor pools – the infinity one is popular at sunset – then hit reset with a traditional hammam treatment or a spell in the largest hydro-pool in the region. And if you can’t get enough of the spa, you can even sleep in it; the Panoramic Rooms are located within the spa area and include a private hammock terrace.
More information: Rooms from around £185 per night, including breakfast; kempinski.com
This six-room bed and breakfast is at the heart of a growing community-based tourism initiative in northern Jordan. Located a five-minute walk from the Greco-Roman ruins in Umm Qais, it’s all about the experience, not extravagance. Rooms are clean and simply furnished, with handcrafted beds and locally made art that is complemented by sweeping views of the surrounding nature reserve (be sure to catch sunset from the rooftop or garden terrace). Breakfast is organic and locally sourced – often featuring honey, olive oil and cheeses made in Umm Qais – and the team can arrange a variety of activities, including beekeeping, hiking, olive harvesting and basket-weaving lessons that connect you with the local community.
More information: Rooms from around £80 per night, including breakfast; barakadestinations.com
Get the very best of Wanderlust by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.