8 Best hotels in Petra, Jordan (2023 special update)

Visiting the Lost City of Petra, in Jordan, is on many peoples’ bucket lists, and with good reason.  Carved out of rock that changes color as the day progresses, there’s a reason that it’s been named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and a UNESCO Heritage Site.

And whilst it’s possible to make a day trip to Petra, if you really want to get the most out of your trip, you’ll need two or three days there, which means finding a place to rest your weary head.

Luckily, Petra’s got accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets, from five-star luxury to modest hotels and authentic Bedouin lodgings.  Let’s take a look at eight of the places you might want to stay if you find yourself making a trip to the ‘Rose City’ in the Jordanian desert. It's important to know these hotels when you travel independently, and also if you take a professionally arranged 2 day Petra tour; many organized tour operators allow you to pick one of several hotels, and this way you'll know you weren't offered a lemon.

Located directly next to the Visitor Center in Wadi Musa, the Movenpick Resort is a five-star hotel in Petra that offers unrivaled luxury for the discerning traveler

All rooms have comfortable beds, fitted out with crisp, white linen sheets. flatscreen tvs, free wifi and desks. The adjoining walls are soundproofed (a nice touch) and bathrooms have bidets, hairdryers, and top-notch amenities.

The Movenpick has a lovely swimming pool (perfect for cooling off after exploring the archaeological site) and a rooftop garden terrace, with beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

Breakfast is good and plentiful, they have a ‘chocolate hour’ (a perk of the stay, included in a stay and hosted daily at 4pm) and their cocktail bar even offers fantastic concoctions!  With attentive staff and very professional service, if you want to splurge, this is a good place to do it.  

Family-run and family-owned, the Petra Moon Hotel is very close to the entrance to the Petra Archaeological Park and offers the visitors good bang for their buck, along with all kinds of lovely little touches (like bringing you mint tea and a cookie, on arrival).

The rooms are of a reasonable size, breakfast is good with plenty of choice and the staff really go out of their way to make you feel at home - nothing is too much trouble.

They also have a well-priced and tasty all-you-can-eat dinner buffet which is served on the rooftop (the lamb chops are highly recommended) and there’s a small pool there too. 

The only ‘downside’ is that they don’t serve alcohol in this hotel but other than that it’s a great choice for a stay in Petra.

This boutique resort is family-run and well-maintained and - like all properties that aren’t chains - has a style all of its own, with attention to detail that affords it a five-star rating.

All across the resort are areas where you can sit and relax with a cup of Arabic coffee or mint tea, enjoying the stupendous views by day and spectacular sunsets as night arrives. 

All of the rooms are tastefully decorated (with local history and culture in mind) and there’s also an indoor swimming pool and sauna, for relaxation after a long day’s exploration.

In terms of dining, the restaurant is excellent and services both local and international cuisine.  Breakfast is good and the hotel goes out of its way not just to source local produce, but also to cater to special dietary requirements.

Whilst it’s not right by the site (it’s 2km away from the Visitor Center) there’s a free shuttle at The Old Village, which will get you there in just 10 minutes.

Whilst not the newest and most luxurious accommodation in town, the Petra Guest House Hotel is literally steps from the Visitor Center, making it by far and away the closest option to the site. 

Guests can choose between rooms or private chalets in this four-star accommodation, where you’re guaranteed a warm welcome - the staff at this hotel are reputed to be some of the most friendly and welcoming in Wadi Musa.

The other thing that’s really cool about this hotel is the ‘Cave Bar’ (its claim to fame is that it's the oldest bar in the world). 

Carved into the rocks, it’s a great place to chill out after a day of exploration, and as well as drinks they also serve a dinner and menu and even have bbq evenings.

There’s also a piazza outside and an area where you can eat dinner but it’s popular so book ahead!  

La Maison is a very decent - and newly-renovated - three-star hotel, which is well-located (just a minute's walk from the Visitor Center) and offers the traveler good value for money.  

The rooms are compact but have all the amenities you need (kettle, tea, heaters in the winter) and, likewise, although the bathrooms are small the water pressure is still good. 

You can enjoy a drink or a bite in the lobby bar, which is open all day, and the restaurant - Sahtain  - serves dinner every night, buffet style.  

The cafe bar on its roof is perfect for summer evenings - it offers views of the desert, along with live Arabic music and the chance to try a famous ‘Shisha’ water pipe. In conclusion, La Maison is a good hotel to stay in if you're looking for clean, comfortable accommodation at a fair price. 

Looking for luxury combined with magnificent desert views and complete quiet?  Then look no further than the Petra Bubble Luxotel, which - like the Old Village Resort - is set back a couple of kilometers from the Visitor Center.  

That being said, the desert views from your sleep bubble are astonishing and you can gaze up at the stars at night because there’s a transparent roof!  Even better, you’ll have access to a jacuzzi, which is a great place to soak your weary body after a day walking around Petra.

The food is buffet style, there is live entertainment each evening and in the winter, you will have heaters brought to your bubble (though remember it’s the desert, so bring some thermals if you’re a cold morsel).  Finally, they don’t serve alcohol so if you’re partial to a tipple, bring some in your suitcase.

This small family-run hotel in Wadi Musa is an excellent option for those who are looking for competitively priced accommodation.  It’s not super close to the site. But the bedrooms - whilst small and basic - are clean and comfy, and they all have private bathrooms.

The other thing that’s nice about this hotel is that they offer a very early breakfast, so you leave the hotel in good time for the gate opening.  They also have very good value lunch boxes that you can order the previous night.  On the rooftop terrace, coffee is served all day and you can eat dinner at night.  

If you’re looking for budget accommodation that doesn’t make you feel like you’re on a budget, then there’s no better place than to head to the Little Petra Bedouin Camp.  Now compared to the other hotels here, this is a little further away from the main site - it’s actually closer to Little Petra (which anyone visiting Petra with children will appreciate).

Something else that guests rave about is the atmosphere here - it’s a great way to immerse yourself in traditional Bedouin culture, since there are meals around the fireplace at night, complete with entertainment, hookahs, mint tea, etc.  

You’ll need a car to get to Petra itself (it’s about a 15-minute drive) otherwise you can order a cab.  Alternatively, hike to the back entrance of Petra (which most people don’t know exists!) and start exploring from there.

If you’re interested in seeing Jordan for yourself, then why not take one of our organized Petra Tours from Israel - with everything - from visas, transport, and accommodation - arranged for you and expert local guides to accompany you as you explore, it’s a trip you’re unlikely to forget.