"We knew going in that the Movenpick Petra was the de facto choice if we wanted to stay at a high-end property within easy walking distance of the main gate to the Petra archaeological site. Given the lack of competition in Petra’s town center, what we didn’t know was whether the property had become complacent - run down, with little incentive to improve either its hard or soft product - or whether the Movenpick still took pride in its upkeep, amenities and service level despite having virtually no alternatives nearby. Much to our relief, it was very much the latter.
I wouldn’t consider the Movenpick Petra a destination resort in and of itself; however, I strongly urge travelers to spend at least one night in the area, as a day trip simply does not do Petra justice. We stayed for two nights and are very glad we did. Not only were we able to take things slowly and explore every corner of the site, but for large stretches of time we had much of Petra nearly to ourselves - priceless. And with the Movenpick located just 50 meters from the visitor center, museum, and Petra’s entrance, we were able to return to the hotel several times throughout the day to recharge without losing much time in the process.
Service was excellent throughout our stay. The entire staff was warm, welcoming, and eager to explain local customs, cuisine, history, and culture, all of which made the experience even more enriching for us. The Movenpick is equipped with a pool (though we visited in January, so it was closed due to the near-freezing temperatures), a very nice gym, several restaurants, and a spa. The latter came in especially handy for my wife, who treated herself to several therapies that helped her relax and recover after long days of walking through Petra.
We chose the property’s top accommodation, the Royal Suite King. While its size (55m²) is not especially expansive by luxury hotel standards, the suite punched above its weight and felt noticeably more spacious than the measurements would suggest. It also featured a direct view of the main courtyard leading toward Petra’s entrance, a good-sized balcony, and two bathrooms - something that always pleases the missus.
We were also welcomed in our room to a complimentary spread of local and international sweets (pastries, cookies, and similar treats), along with a bottle of Pinot Noir, both of which were much appreciated. The one issue we encountered involved the shower, which resembled the style we’ve come to dislike at many European properties: the glass partition only extends halfway out, meaning water inevitably sprays onto the bathroom floor. In addition, the drain was clogged upon first use, requiring a call to the front desk to have it unclogged.
As there is only one Royal Suite on the property, I would strongly encourage anyone interested in this room category to book well in advance of their arrival date.
There are two primary dining options at the hotel. Al Saraya serves international cuisine, offering both buffet and à la carte options, while Al Iwan is a more elegant dining room specializing in higher-end Mediterranean and Jordanian fare. The Al Ghadeer Roof Garden operates seasonally and serves barbecue dishes, though it was closed during our visit.
In any case, having the choice between a quick buffet meal and a more refined à la carte dining experience proved useful depending on whether we were in a hurry or in the mood for a leisurely, romantic dinner. We are relative novices when it comes to Jordanian food - and Middle Eastern cuisine in general - so we greatly appreciated the wait staff, who went to great lengths to explain many of the dishes in detail.
We were particularly impressed by several offerings, including shrak (markook), a type of thin flatbread, as well as Umm Ali, an Egyptian-style bread pudding soaked in sweetened milk and cream with layers of puff pastry, nuts, and raisins.
Overall, we were very happy to have spent three days and two nights at the Movenpick Petra, and equally satisfied with our room choice. Although the hotel has a total of 183 rooms, it never feels especially large, either from the outside or in terms of the number of guests moving through the common areas. We also visited during the low season, which may have contributed to the peace and tranquility we experienced throughout our stay."
A Tripadvisor traveler review
May 23, 2026
