Hotels
The best hotels in Jordan: nine places to stay in Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum
You float in the Dead Sea in the morning, walk through the Siq to the Treasury at Petra the next day, and sleep in a glass dome under the stars in Wadi Rum the evening after. Jordan is small, and in a week you can see most of it. These are nine hotels for each stage of the trip.
This page contains affiliate links to Expedia. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
Jordan is a small country between Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and most visitors make a round trip in a week. You land in the capital, Amman, drive an hour down to the Dead Sea, three hours south to Petra and on to the desert at Wadi Rum. Many finish on the Red Sea at Aqaba, with a day of snorkelling over coral before the flight home.
We have chosen nine hotels in four places and say who each one suits. Every hotel has a guest rating of at least 8.8 out of 10 and more than 50 reviews on Expedia. The links go there, and we always pick the hotel before we look for a link. In Wadi Rum we have chosen the best camps, as there are no ordinary hotels in the desert.
In short: where should you stay in Jordan?
Spend one night in Amman, one or two at the Dead Sea, two in Petra to see the site by day and by night, and one night at a camp in Wadi Rum. Choose a Petra hotel close to the entrance to save your legs.
Best in Amman: The Ritz-Carlton, Amman
Best at the Dead Sea: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar
Best for Petra: Mövenpick Resort Petra
Best desert camp: Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel
Best for stargazing: Wild Oryx Camp
How to choose the right hotel in Jordan
Route: most people drive from north to south. A hire car is easy and the roads are good, or you can hire a driver.
Petra: stay near the entrance. You will want to go in early and come out late, and the site is huge.
Jordan Pass: buy it before you travel. It covers your visa and entry to Petra and many other sites.
Desert camps: nights in Wadi Rum are cold in winter. Check that your dome or tent is heated, and bring warm clothes for the campfire.
The Dead Sea: hotels have their own beaches. Bring water shoes, and keep the water out of your eyes.
The pool at dusk
The pool and hotel at The Ritz-Carlton, Amman at dusk.
Amman
Amman is the capital, built across a series of hills, with a Roman theatre and citadel in the centre and modern districts to the west. The airport is about half an hour south of the city.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amman: the newest luxury hotel
The Ritz-Carlton is one of the newest luxury hotels in Amman, with large rooms, city views and a pool surrounded by terraces. It has several restaurants and a large spa.
This is our Amman pick, if you want to start or end the trip in real comfort. It is in the western districts, so take a taxi to the centre. Have dinner at one of the rooftop restaurants on Jabal Amman.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Ritz-Carlton, Amman
The hotel at dusk
Four Seasons Hotel Amman lit up at dusk.
Four Seasons Hotel Amman: the view from the hill
The Four Seasons stands on one of the city's highest hills, with views over Amman from most rooms. It is known for good service and a lavish breakfast.
It suits you if you want a classic luxury hotel with consistent quality. It is some way from the old town. Take a taxi to the Citadel at sunset for the view over the city.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Hotel Amman
The pool
The pool and palms in front of The St. Regis Amman.
The St. Regis Amman: butlers and a pool
The St. Regis has elegant rooms with butler service, an outdoor pool among palm trees and a large spa. It is in the western districts, home to most of the embassies and newer restaurants.
It suits couples and anyone who wants extra service. It is pricier than most hotels in the city. Head to Rainbow Street in the evening for cafes, street food and views over the old town.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The St. Regis Amman
By the Dead Sea
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar and its pools stepping down to the Dead Sea, seen from the air.
The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea lies more than 400 metres below sea level, and the water is so salty that you float without swimming. The hotels are grouped on the eastern shore, about an hour from Amman, close to Bethany, the traditional site of Jesus's baptism.
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar: terraced pools
Kempinski Ishtar is built in terraces, with pools on several levels stepping down to the Dead Sea, inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It has its own beach, a large spa and several restaurants.
This is our Dead Sea pick, for the setting and the spa. It is a big hotel and busy at weekends. Float in the sea at sunset, and cover yourself in mud on the beach.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
The pools
The pools at the Dead Sea Marriott with the Dead Sea behind.
Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa: room for families
The Marriott on the Dead Sea has plenty of pools, its own beach and a large spa. Rooms have balconies, and many look across the water to the hills on the other side.
It suits families who want space and a choice of pools, where children can swim when the Dead Sea gets too salty. It is less luxurious than the Kempinski, but cheaper. Leave time for the spa, which uses Dead Sea minerals.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa
The courtyard
The Arabic-style courtyard at Mövenpick Resort Petra.
Petra
Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans, carved into red sandstone more than 2,000 years ago. The town of Wadi Musa sits right by the entrance. Allow at least a full day and many kilometres on foot to see the main sights.
Mövenpick Resort Petra: right by the entrance
The Mövenpick is right by the entrance to Petra, with an Arabic-style courtyard and a rooftop terrace with a bar. You can walk from the hotel to the ticket office in a couple of minutes.
This is our Petra pick, as the location saves a lot of walking after a long day in the ruins. Rooms are classic and a little plain, but clean and quiet. Go to Petra by Night, when the Siq and the Treasury are lit by candles.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mövenpick Resort Petra
The rooftop pool
The rooftop pool at Petra Moon Luxury Hotel.
Petra Moon Luxury Hotel: a rooftop pool by the visitor centre
Petra Moon is close to the visitor centre, with modern rooms, a rooftop pool and a spa. It is a smaller hotel with personal service, and staff are happy to help with guides and tickets.
It suits you if you want to stay near Petra in a newer, brighter hotel. The streets around it are busy, with shops and restaurants on the doorstep. Climb to the Monastery, Ad Deir, early in the day, before the heat.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Petra Moon Luxury Hotel
The view from the dome
The view of the desert and mountains from a dome at Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a desert valley of red dunes and sandstone mountains, where films such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian were shot. You stay in camps run by Bedouin, and most collect you by jeep from Rum village.
Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel: a dome with a desert view
UFO Luxotel has round domes with large windows facing the desert, so you can see the mountains from your bed. The camp sits among the cliffs, and breakfast is included.
This is our desert camp pick, if you want comfort and a view. The domes are simple inside, but the bed faces the window. Book a jeep tour with the Bedouin in the afternoon, and watch the sunset from a dune.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel
The domes at night
The lit domes of Wild Oryx Camp beneath the mountains at night.
Wild Oryx Camp: glass domes under the stars
Wild Oryx has transparent domes where you lie looking straight up at the stars at night. The camp offers excursions, archery and meals, and sits quietly among the mountains.
This is our stargazing pick, especially away from the full moon. The domes get hot in the middle of the day in summer. Try zarb, the traditional Bedouin dinner cooked in the sand.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Wild Oryx Camp
When should you book?
March to May: pleasant weather and desert flowers. High season, so book Petra hotels early.
September to November: warm days and fine evenings. Also high season.
December to February: cold nights in Wadi Rum and Petra, but good temperatures at the Dead Sea.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Jordan
How many nights do I need in Jordan?
Seven nights cover the classic route: one in Amman, two at the Dead Sea, two in Petra, one in Wadi Rum and one in Aqaba or back in Amman. With five nights, drop the Dead Sea or Aqaba.
Why is the Anantara Dead Sea not on the list?
It did not come up in our search on Expedia. The Mövenpick and Hilton at the Dead Sea scored 8.4, below our requirement of 8.8. The Kempinski and the Marriott are the ones that meet our standards.
Is Jordan safe to visit?
Jordan is considered one of the safest countries in the region, and tourism is well organised. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
Should I stay in Petra or visit on a day trip?
Stay at least one night, ideally two. Petra is vast, and the best light is early and late. An overnight stay also lets you see Petra by Night.
What are the desert camps like?
Standards vary widely. The best have private bathrooms, heating and good beds, while the simplest have shared bathrooms. Read the description carefully and choose a dome or tent with its own bathroom.