The cheapest room in Jordan is rarely the best value. A bargain that's a long taxi ride from the Petra gate, or a five-star that's mostly a pool you'll use for one afternoon, can cost you more in time and money than a mid-range room in the right place. This guide is about where to sleep in each region, what the published price ranges say, and what to check before you pay.
Short version.
Spend where the place itself is the point (a beachfront or Dead Sea resort), save where you'll be out all day (Amman, Wadi Musa), and pick the location before the star rating. Book early for spring and autumn, ask what's included, and check whether the quoted price includes tax and service. Prices below are the ranges published by guides dated 2025, not a rate card (October 2026).
What the sources say hotels cost
Nobody publishes one official rate card, so these are ranges from guides, with their dates. They don't match exactly, which is itself useful.
- Rough Guides (page updated May 2025):
hostels from $20 a night, budget hotels from $40, mid-range $60 to 120, desert camps from $60, upgraded eco-lodges $130 to 180, luxury hotels and resorts from $150.
- Petra and Wadi Musa (GoTripzi, undated):
budget from about $28 (typical $22 to 32), mid-range from about $68 (typical $59 to 76), luxury from about $143 (typical $119 to 162).
- JI Tours (2025 planning figures, per person per day):
accommodation about $25 to 60 for a budget trip, $70 to 150 mid-range, $180 and up luxury.
- Where they disagree:
a budget room is "from $40" in one and "from $28" in another, and luxury starts at $143 to 180 depending on who you read. Use them as a range and check live prices for your dates.
Before you pay: tax, heating and what's included
- Service tax.
Jordan's Cabinet raised the service tax on hotel establishments from 5% to 7%, according to the Jordan Hotels Association in a statement published on 29 May 2025. We haven't confirmed the sales tax rate this month, so ask whether your quoted rate is before or after tax and service.
- Heating and air conditioning.
Rough Guides warns that winter heating and summer cooling may not be in the base rate at some places.
- Breakfast and transfers.
Confirm breakfast, and whether remote pick-ups cost extra.
- Direct contact.
Smaller family-run stays often aren't on big booking sites, and Rough Guides says contacting hosts directly, often by WhatsApp, can help with prices.
Amman
Amman has the biggest choice of three-, four- and five-star hotels, and most visitors only sleep here before or after the sites. That's why we usually say a good four-star is enough. Rough Guides sorts the city by neighbourhood: Downtown (Al-Balad) for budget and history but noisy, Jabal Al-Weibdeh for arts and boutiques, Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street for first-timers at higher prices, and Abdoun for upscale stays that need a car or taxi. JI Tours suggests looking near Jordan Gate Towers, Shmeisani or the diplomatic area. If your day starts with a sunrise drive to Petra, stay somewhere with easy road access rather than the most atmospheric street.
Petra and Wadi Musa
This is the place where location matters most. GoTripzi's breakdown by area gives a clear picture:
- Near the Petra gate:
about a two-minute walk, best for early entry, and the luxury end (from about $65 in its per-area table).
- Wadi Musa town centre:
a 5 to 15 minute walk, budget-friendly, with restaurants and shops (from about $32).
- Taybeh (upper town):
a steep 15 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi, budget guesthouses and valley views (from about $16).
- Hillside and valley-view hotels:
a 10 to 15 minute taxi or shuttle, quieter and mid-range (from about $43).
- Little Petra area:
about 15 minutes' drive from the gate, desert camps, private transport needed.
The site opens at 6 am, so staying near the gate or in the town centre makes an early start easy, while Taybeh and the hillside need a taxi. GoTripzi adds two cautions: some budget places have unreliable hot water, and touts at bus stations may steer you to commission hotels. JI Tours recommends at least two nights in Petra if you have a week. For how to spend the days, see our Visiting Petra guide, and for the ticket maths see Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Wadi Rum
Camps range from simple Bedouin camps to luxury tents. Rough Guides lists desert camps from about $60 and upgraded eco-lodges at $130 to 180, and mentions reserve-edge eco-lodges as a quieter option. We've put the detail, including camp sizes and what to ask, in our Bedouin vs luxury camps guide.
The Dead Sea
Rough Guides describes the Sweimeh resort zone as the place for big hotels and spas, with quieter boutique options north of the main strip, and says there is little local culture, so it's best for relaxing. Resorts here are often the best value because you're paying for the facilities and beach access, not just a bed. JI Tours notes that the Ma'in Hot Springs are about 30 minutes' drive from the Dead Sea. Many guests make this a one-night rest at the end of a trip.
Aqaba
Rough Guides gives three options: the city centre for lively mid-range stays, South Beach for dive access and quieter beaches (a taxi is needed), and Tala Bay for gated, upscale resorts. JI Tours says Aqaba has strong four- and five-star beachfront choices, with cheaper hotels near downtown. If you're arriving by ship, our Aqaba port cruise excursions guide
shows how the day works.
Madaba, Dana and elsewhere
JI Tours lists small hotels near downtown Madaba and the mosaic map, and guesthouses and eco-camps in Dana, including Feynan Ecolodge and Al-Nawatef Camp. We haven't checked their current rates or opening dates, so confirm before planning around them, especially in winter when Rough Guides says to check whether desert camps or highland guesthouses are closed.
When to book
- Spring and autumn
are the peaks, especially at Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Rough Guides says not to count on walk-ins in high season.
- Summer
brings lower prices and fewer crowds but extreme heat.
- Winter
offers deals, but check closures.
- How early?
GoTripzi says 2 to 3 months ahead in one place and 2 to 3 weeks for spring and autumn in another, so we'd say as soon as your dates are fixed.
FAQ
How much does a hotel in Jordan cost?
Published guides give about $20 to 60 for hostels and budget hotels, $60 to 150 for mid-range, and $143 to 180 and up for luxury, dated 2025. Prices move with season, so check live rates.
Where should I stay in Petra?
Near the gate for the easiest early start, or in Wadi Musa town centre for a lower price and a short walk. Taybeh and the hillside are cheaper or quieter but need a taxi.
Is a five-star hotel worth it in Jordan?
At the Dead Sea and in Aqaba, often yes, because the facilities and beach are the point. In Amman and Wadi Musa, where you're out all day, a good four- or three-star is usually enough.
Is breakfast included?
Often but not always. Ask, and also ask about heating, air conditioning, tax and service, because Rough Guides says heating and cooling may not be in the base rate.
How many nights do I need in Petra?
JI Tours suggests at least two nights if you have a week. That gives you a full day on the main trail and a second for the Monastery or a quieter route.
Should I book a Wadi Rum camp in advance?
Yes, especially in spring and autumn. See our camp guide for what to check.
Planning your stays
If you'd like us to line up hotels, camps and transfers around your route, tell us your dates on our contact page, or look at our multi-day tours.
Last updated: 1 November 2026. Hotel prices and taxes change, so confirm them at booking.
Sources checked
- Rough Guides, "Where to stay in Jordan" (updated 12 May 2025).
- GoTripzi, "Where to stay in Petra" (undated).
- JI Tours, "Where to stay in Jordan" (2025 planning figures).
- Jordan Hotels Association, service tax amendment (29 May 2025).
