Yacht Hotel Aqaba is a straightforward budget hotel on Al-Batraa Street, in the middle of the city’s shopping district. It does not try to be a resort. Instead it offers clean, simple rooms in the centre of town at a price that leaves more of your budget for boat trips, diving and a night in Wadi Rum. The Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque is about five minutes on foot, Palm Beach around eight, and Early Islamic Ayla roughly ten, with Aqaba Fort and the Great Arab Revolt Plaza about a quarter of an hour away. Rooms range from doubles and twins to a triple and a two-bedroom suite, so groups and families can stay together.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits among shops, bakeries and cafes, so food and supplies are close by, and the walk to the mosque and Palm Beach is short enough to do without a taxi outside the hottest hours. King Hussein International Airport is about eighteen minutes by car, and an airport shuttle is available on request for a fee per person.
The Coral Garden dive site is within roughly a ten-minute walk, which makes this a handy base for divers and snorkellers who want to travel light. For Wadi Rum and Petra, the front desk can help with tour and ticket arrangements, and most operators will collect you from a central hotel.
Rooms and who it suits
The room list includes a double room, a standard twin room, a standard triple and a basic two-bedroom suite that sleeps four, all with city views and air conditioning. Sizes are modest, so think of it as a place to sleep, shower and store your bags rather than a place to spend the day.
The hotel lists an elevator, daily housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning, luggage storage, free toiletries, free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. Outdoor pool access is described as nearby rather than on site, and no spa or private beach is listed. It suits backpackers, solo travellers, couples on a tight budget and groups who plan to be out all day.
Good to know
Breakfast is not described, so ask at booking or plan to eat at the bakeries and cafes nearby. Parking is free. Check-in starts at two in the afternoon and check-out is at noon. The property is smoke-free and pets are not accepted. Free cancellation is offered on selected rates, so read the cancellation terms before you pay. Aqaba is hot for much of the year, so check that your room’s air conditioning is working well on arrival, and ask for a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper.
Because the hotel is simple, it pairs well with one splurge elsewhere, such as a night in a desert camp or a day on a boat. If you want a pool, a spa or a beach on the doorstep, choose one of the resorts further along the coast.
Why stay here
- ✓Central shopping district location
- ✓Rooms for two to four guests
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free in-room WiFi
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Elevator
- ✓Luggage storage
- ✓Airport shuttle on request for a fee
Good questions
Is breakfast included?+
Breakfast is not described, so check when you book. Bakeries and cafes are close by.
Does the hotel have a pool?+
Outdoor pool access is described as nearby rather than on site, and no spa or private beach is listed.
Can groups or families stay together?+
Yes, there are triple rooms and a two-bedroom suite that sleeps four, so ask which layout suits your party.
