The Petra Marriott sits in the historic district of Wadi Musa, on Queen Rania Al Abdallah Street, a short drive from the visitor centre and the entrance to Petra. It is a modern, international-standard hotel of around a hundred rooms spread over four floors, which keeps it feeling calm rather than sprawling. The rooms are the sort you want after a day of walking in the sun: air-conditioned, quiet and comfortable, with good beds and free Wi-Fi. Downstairs, the hotel has several places to eat and drink, including Hala Hala for Middle Eastern cooking, the Al Matal Tent, the Dushara Restaurant and the Aretas Bar and Lounge, so you can eat in without having to go into town every night. Outdoors there is a terrace and garden, and a seasonal outdoor pool that is open from roughly May to October, which is a real pleasure in the heat of summer. The spa is a highlight of any stay here. It offers massages, a hot tub, a mud bath, a sauna and a steam room, and it is open daily, though guests under sixteen are not admitted, so families should plan around that.
Living in it
The hotel is not at the gate itself, so you will want to plan your mornings. A free area shuttle runs within a set distance and the hotel can help arrange taxis, and the drive to the visitor centre takes only a few minutes. That is a good trade for the extra space and facilities, and the walk back is a lot easier than the uphill road from town when your legs are tired.
Staff are usually praised for their friendliness, and the front desk can help with Petra by Night tickets, guides and onward transport. Free parking is available if you are driving, and there is an electric vehicle charging point for those who need it. The hotel also has a gift shop, a business centre and meeting rooms, which makes it a practical choice for small groups and for anyone who needs to get some work done.
Trade-offs
Breakfast may be charged separately depending on your rate, so check what is included when you book, and a pool that closes in the cooler months means that winter visitors will enjoy the spa more than the water. If you want to be first through the gate at opening, or to walk back to your room for a midday rest, a property right at the entrance will be more convenient. Alcohol is available in the hotel bar, which is unusual in this part of Jordan, so it suits those who like an evening drink.
Who it suits
Couples and groups who want a polished, comfortable stay with a spa, and families with older children who will use the pool in summer. It is also a good choice if you plan a long stay in Wadi Musa and want the reassurance of a well-known international brand, with consistent standards and responsive service. Pair a stay here with two days at Petra, an evening at Petra by Night and a day trip to Little Petra and Wadi Rum.
In winter, ask about heating and request a quiet room, since nights in Wadi Musa can be cold. If you are arriving late from Amman or Aqaba, the hotel can usually arrange transfers, so mention your arrival time when you book. The restaurants offer a useful alternative on nights when you are too tired to go out, and the spa is ideal for the evening after a long day on the Monastery steps.
Why stay here
- ✓Short drive from the Petra visitor centre
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool (roughly May to October)
- ✓Spa with sauna, steam room, hot tub and mud bath
- ✓Hala Hala Middle Eastern restaurant
- ✓Aretas Bar and Lounge
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓Free parking and area shuttle
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Good questions
How far is the Petra Marriott from the Petra entrance?+
A short drive of a few minutes from the visitor centre, rather than a walk, so plan on the hotel shuttle or a taxi.
Does the hotel have a pool and spa?+
Yes. The outdoor pool is seasonal, open roughly May to October, and the spa has a sauna, steam room, hot tub and mud bath. Guests under sixteen cannot use the spa.
Is breakfast included?+
It depends on your rate, so check the details when you book.
