Are you planning to spend a few nights in Aqaba, Jordan? Great choice. In Aqaba, you can relax on pristine beaches, discover diverse marine life and learn more about Jordan’s history. But what about the hotels in Aqaba, Jordan?
In this article, we will introduce you to Aqaba’s hotel scene, show you the best hotels in Aqaba from luxury hotels to budget picks and tell you about our stay in one of Aqaba’s newest and best hotels. This is your Aqaba hotel guide.
Key Takeaways
- Aqaba offers a range of hotels from budget hostels to luxury resorts, suitable for all types of travelers.
- Boutique hotels like Bratus Hotel provide privacy, modern comfort, and excellent service close to the city center.
- Luxury options include international chains with private beaches, spas, and fine dining for a premium experience.
- Aqaba is ideal for a 2-day stay to enjoy beaches, diving, local culture, and historical sites like Aqaba Fort.
Table of Contents
3 Hotels in Aqaba at 3 Different Price Points
Aqaba might be Jordan’s most popular beach destination, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in a resort hotel. These are 3 Aqaba hotels at 3 drastically different price points:
Budget | Hakaia Community | from $ 17 per night | |
Comfort | Bratus Hotel Aqaba | from $ 93 per night | |
Resort | InterContinental Aqaba | from $ 371 per night |
A Quick Introduction to the Hotel Scene in Aqaba, Jordan
As Jordan’s only coastal city, the Red Sea port of Aqaba functions as the country’s resort hubs. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that Aqaba, Jordan, is home to a bustling resort hotel scene that can very well compete with other Red Sea destinations such as Egypt.
Thanks to its growing role in international tourism, however, Aqaba has also grown quite the boutique hotel scene, with new boutique hotels constantly cropping up. Focusing more on comfort and privacy than resort hotels, these boutique hotels also called our attention when visiting Aqaba. More on that later.
Thanks to the boom in eco-tourism in recent years, Aqaba has also gained another growing hotel sector: budgets hostels. Cheap hostels within walking distance of the beach attract more and more backpackers looking for a respite in-between stops at Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area.
The Best Luxury Hotels in Aqaba
Aqaba’s luxury sector is dominated by international hotel chains such as Intercontinental, Hyatt and Mövenpick, offering exclusive resort experiences. These are the best luxury hotels in Aqaba:
InterContinental Aqaba
The InterContinental Aqaba is one of Aqaba’s leading resort hotels offering spacious rooms, breakfast and dinner service, a wagon-style pool, a spa center with hot tubs, a fitness center and its very own private beach.
The Intercontinental Aqaba is the ideal destination for anyone wishing to stay in their Aqaba hotels without having to leave it once. Not only does it serve around-the-clock meals in its several restaurants, but it offers all sorts of activities on top of its already-extensive facilities.
Name | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
InterContinental Aqaba | Solo Travellers, Couples, Families | from $ 371 per night |
Al-Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Just meters from the Intercontinental Aqaba, the Al-Manara Hotel offers a starkly different experience. While the former offers a visual experience that you can find at many beach destinations around the world, the latter offers an exclusive experience coated in the splendour of classic Jordanian architecture.
To many, Al-Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is by far the best of Aqaba’s luxury hotels. It rejects the classic resort hotel experience and focusses on connecting with Jordanian heritage instead. The result? Beautifully decorated rooms, splendorous dining halls, expansive gardens and a serene private beach.
Another plus: Al-Manara is one of Aqaba’s leading pet-friendly hotels.
Name | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Al-Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel | Couples, Families, Pet Owners | from $ 388 per night |
The Best Boutique Hotels in Aqaba (& Where We Stayed)
Are you craving more privacy on your stay in Aqaba? Ditch the busy all-inclusive resorts and opt for a boutique hotel in Aqaba instead.
Bratus Hotel Aqaba (We Stayed Here)
Located a few hundred meters from Downtown Aqaba, the Bratus Hotel Aqaba offers a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Don’t shy away from staying outside of the center at the Bratus Hotel. Taxi rides to the center cost around $ 1 per ride and the hotel offers a shuttle service to beach.
The Bratus Hotel was inaugurated in 2023 and has enchanted guests with its design, comfort and service ever since. The hotel’s spacious rooms are an oasis of solitude – exactly what travellers need between tours to Petra and Wadi Rum. The breakfast served in the hotel’s Italian-style restaurant is equally impressive.
Shortly after opening, we stayed here and couldn’t have wished for a better experience. Not only were we upgraded to a room w/ balcony, but also attended with such attention to detail we have rarely experience in other hotels. Plus, the breakfast might have been the best hotel breakfast we have ever had.
| Name | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Bratus Hotel Aqaba | Couples | from $ 93 per night |
Twins Boutique Hotel
As a more affordable alternative to the Bratus Hotel Aqaba, the Twins Boutique Hotel offers a similar level of comfort and privacy, all while being within walking distance of Downtown Aqaba and asking a lower price per night starting from just $ 80.
At Twins Boutique Hotel, you can expect clean rooms, high-end amenities, a buffet-style breakfast and a gym. As for activities, most of Aqaba’s attractions are within walking distance of the hotel. Moreover, the hotel is less than 1 kilometre away from Al-Ghandour Beach, Aqaba’s central public beach.
Name | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Twins Boutique Hotel | Couples, Families | from $ 80 per night |
Where to Stay in Aqaba, Jordan
If you were to ask us where to stay in Aqaba, we would tell you to book your stay at the Bratus Hotel. While this hotel might not be the first pick due to its longer distance to the beach, it simply knocked it out of the park in every other aspect.
For one, the Bratus Hotel in Aqaba was only inaugurated in 2023, making everything feel super-new. The rooms are carefully designed and decorated, the applications and amenities are high-quality and the staff is charming to say the least.
Apart from the rooms, the hotel breakfast makes every other complimentary breakfast poor in comparison. Not only were we served a platter Jordanian staples such as falafel, hummus and cheese, but also a hefty serving of Eggs Royale accompanied by Jordanian black tea and coffee. It is safe to say that we did not leave the hotel hungry.
Taking all of this into account, one would assume that a night in the Bratus Hotel in Aqaba would go for at least $ 120. But the opposite is true. Currently, the nightly rate at the Bratus Hotel floats around just $ 93. If you are booking through the Genius program on Booking.com, you can get it even cheaper.
The Best Hostels in Aqaba
Are you travelling Jordan on a budget? Don’t scrap Aqaba from your itinerary just yet. While Aqaba might be a resort destination, it offers some true bargains for diving enthusiasts and backpackers.
Hakaia Community
Hakaia Community is Aqaba’s most popular hostel for a reason. Not only does it offer nightly rates as low as $ 17, but it also offers everything you could possibly need as a budget traveller: comfortable bunk beds, clean facilities, free Wi-Fi and a complimentary breakfast. Yes, you read that right.
And if that wasn’t enough, Hakaia Community is also conveniently located just 700 meters away from Al-Ghandour Beach and 950 meters from the Aqaba Fort. So, energise with a filling hotel breakfast, explore Aqaba’s captivating history and dip into the Red Sea, all without spending a single cent.
Name | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Hakaia Community | Budget Travelers, Solo Travelers | from $ 17 per night |
Extra Traveller
Another budget option in Aqaba, Extra Traveller offers competitive nightly rates starting from $ 18 and a hostel experience that makes its guests want to return again and again. While the clean rooms, friendly staff and delicious breakfast surely help, we’re sure that Kimo, the hostel cat, played a leading role in that.
While the Extra Traveller Hostel is a little more removed from Downtown Aqaba, the city’s main attractions are still well within walking distance. Getting to Al-Ghandour Beach takes around 20 minutes on foot; Aqaba Fort is around 30 minutes away.
Name | Best for | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Extra Traveller | Budget Travelers, Solo Travelers | from $ 18 per night |
What to Do in Aqaba, Jordan
Secured your hotel stay in Aqaba? Don’t stop here. While most travellers book their stay in Aqaba as a sort-of pit stop in-between Petra and the Wadi Rum Desert, there is actually plenty to do in Aqaba itself. Don’t waste your time here and spend at least 2 days in Aqaba to make your stay worth the while.
On your first day, book your spot at one of Aqaba’s beach clubs such as Berenice Beach Club to unwind under the Jordanian sun for the day or visit one of the free public beaches such as Al-Ghandour Beach or the South Beach.
If you’re into diving, rent some snorkelling equipment and check out the marine life at Japanese Gardens and Seven Sisters. If you’re especially motivated, book a driving trip to the Cedar Pride wreck at one of Aqaba’s dive centers. There a plenty of certified dive schools right on the beach in Aqaba.
As for Aqaba’s history, there are plenty of ancient relics scattered around the city center. Have a stroll through the center and check out the Aqaba Fort, or Aqaba Castle, the ancient ruins of Ayla and the central market, or souk, along the way. If you have the Jordan Pass, you can enter the Fort for free, btw.
First time reading about the Jordan Pass? Don’t miss out on it. Find out why it’s worth it in this detailed cost breakdown for the Jordan Pass we did a while back.
The Bottom Line
Within Jordan, Aqaba offers some oof the best and most exclusive hotel stays from all-inclusive beach resorts to high-end boutique hotels for those who value privacy. Even for backpackers there are plenty of budget options within walking distance of the beach.
Don’t wait around and book your stay in Aqaba today. We can assure you one thing: You will not regret having stopped in Aqaba, Jordan, for a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to stay in Aqaba?
In Aqaba, you can find luxury hotels with all-inclusive packages, boutique hotels with excellent service and affordable hostels within a short distance of the beach. We can personally vouch for the Bratus Hotel Aqaba. Check out our recommendations above to find the best hostels in Aqaba for your taste.
Is Aqaba, Jordan worth visiting?
Yes, Aqaba is absolutely worth visiting. It may not be as famous as Petra, Wadi Rum or the Dead Sea, but definitely warrants a 2-day stay. In Aqaba, you get the unique chance to relax on the beach and dive the coral reefs of the Red Sea at the Aqaba Marine Park.
How many days do you need in Aqaba, Jordan?
Personally, we believe that two days are the perfect length of stay for Aqaba. This way, you will have enough time to enjoy Aqaba’s beaches, go on a diving or snorkelling trip and to explore its history around the city center where you can find sites such as the Aqaba Fort.
What is Aqaba, Jordan famous for?
Without a doubt, Aqaba, Jordan, is most famous for its beaches, coral reefs and marine life. Aqaba is not only Jordan’s only port city, but also a prime diving and snorkelling destination on the Red Sea with popular reef dives such as Japanese Gardens and wreck dives such as the Cedar Pride wreck.
Hey! We are glad you are curious about travelling the Middle East.
We are Nancy & Elias.
Over four years of backpacking and digital nomading made us fall in love with the Middle East. We have lived on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, lived in a Bedouin Camp in Jordan and travelled 6+ Middle Eastern countries overland.
As we continue to travel, we share our battle-tested travels advice on this blog, from travel reports and transfer guides to accommodation recs and saving hacks.
