On the King’s Highway, Wadi Musa is a town leading into the legendary UNESCO site of Petra, the Red Rose City. In Maan Governante, three hours from the capital of Amman, Wadi Musa is said to be the resting place of the Aaron, brother of Moses; The Tomb of Aaron is found on Jebel Harun (believed to be the Mount Hor described in the Bible). Indeed this is a place rich in religious and archeological history, with a heritage spanning back to ancient times. But most stay in Wadi Musa as a gateway to visiting the Nabatean settlement of Petra, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, with its treasury, monastery and royal tombs.
Mövenpick Nabatean Castle
A ten minute taxi ride from Petra, this hotel is a super, five-star base from which to explore the region. The building takes the form of a castle, a fortress elevated to provide supreme Rift Valley views. Each of its 90 rooms and suites has a complimentary minibar, a balcony or terrace and an earthy palette that blends seamlessly with the surrounding terrain. A heated indoor swimming pool is flanked by pillars and the restaurant boasts a terrace with a gorgeous outlook.
Old Village Resort Petra
The Old Village Resort makes much of the stunning Shahara Mountains, with terraces and sitting spots best accompanied by a local beverage. The decor at the hotel is reflective of the area’s culture, with traditional furnishings, authentic features and rugs and the low-rise stone architecture is very much in keeping with its surroundings. Guests can swim at the open outdoor pool, or indoors at the spa. The restaurant, with its alfresco seating area is the perfect spot to try Jordanian dishes while admiring the sunset.
Petra Marriott Hotel
A majestic setting on top of a hill, surrounded by dessert, makes this Marriott somewhere very special indeed. The pool area takes full advantage of the setting, with loungers surrounded by a perimeter of greenery, looking onto the breathtaking arid mountainscape. The hotel’s public rooms have been designed to evoke this atmosphere, not least its traditional Bedouin tent where you can eat BBQ food, a lantern-lit inner courtyard and restaurants serving Arabic specialities. Bedrooms have been decorated in a calm and neutral international style – be sure to request one that looks onto the desert. And there’s a spa for a rejuvenating Turkish Bath.