A superb hotel in which to unwind on the doorstep to Petra. (Hotel Movenpick Resort (Petra, Jordan))

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	Hotel Movenpick Resort (Petra, Jordan)
Date:	03/11/09 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nearest to the entrance to Petra.

Disadvantages: None I can think of apart from it being a flying visit.

The Mövenpick hotel Petra.


Part of our itinerary included a visit to Petra but we were supposed to return to Aqaba the same day but we knew that one day would not be enough and thought about spending the night in Petra so that we could visit little Petra the following day.
When we spoke of our intentions to others they have never heard of Little Petra. The hotel in Aqaba arranged a special rate for us to stay there overnight.

After our visit to Petra we collected our overnight bags from the coach and watched the bus go. The Mövenpick is right near the entrance to Petra so we walked over to it. The receptionist was expecting us and welcomed us warmly and they were efficient and friendly checking us in. They told us a bit about the hotel and what facilities they had including the Al Maq'aad bar and the restaurants available. One restaurant was Al Saraya buffet restaurant and the other was the beautiful Mediterranean styled restaurant called Al lwan. The reception area was bright, open and airy.

There is a spa and gym in the hotel with up to date equipment in it. There is also a swimming pool and roof top terrace. We didn't make use of any of these facilities as we were not there long enough so can not really comment on them.

The hotel is in the style of an Arabian hotel with delicate engraved art work and wooden carvings around the building. There appears to be a lot of polished granite and marble everywhere. There are cut out arches that appear quite exotic. In the atrium there is a café type sitting lounge where you can have afternoon tea and snacks. In the reception area there was a shop and a small corridor with other little shops in it. We went up to our room via the lift as we were shattered and felt quite dusty after our visit to the site.

Opening the door revealed a standard room with the usual facilities of inbuilt wardrobe mini bar and safe on the left and the bathroom on the right. We then came into the room and the beds on the right a built in side unit with a kettle and tea and coffee tray, flat screened television arm chairs and a coffee table. On the table was a hand written card with our names on it welcoming us to the hotel and asking us not to hesitate asking for assistance should we need anything. There was also a plate with a large melted chocolate in the shape of Petra with chocolate and jelly suites representing the major buildings in Petra. I thought this was an excellent welcome to the hotel and put it above the others we had stayed in by this small welcoming touch.

There was a balcony looking out towards the surrounding mountains and down towards the entrance to Petra and you could see all the weary visitors walking back up to their coaches or hotels. Just near the front of the entrance to Petra you can see the Donkey sanctuary and the workers there feeding the donkeys. There was also view of the dry river bed and a nice parade and promenade.

After our rest and coffee we showered and wandered downstairs to the Al Maq'aad bar for a pre dinner drink. The bar is quite large and nicely furnished with table's chairs and more comfortable sofa like chairs. The walls were covered in engraved copper and also the carved wooden ceiling was very tasteful indeed. We had ordered our cocktails watching the barman mix them he then brought them swiftly to us with some appetisers which was a nice touch they were very nice and it seemed rude not to have a couple more. The bar bill was just as expected quite expensive as in most of the hotels.

We crossed the hall and looked into the buffet restaurant which looked very nice but a bit canteenish and decided that as it was nearly our last night to have a nice dinner in the Al lwan restaurant. We were sat at the table on a raised dais the table having crisp white linen. In the centre of the restaurant there was a small water feature which was very nice. We ordered a couple of drinks while we perused the menu which was quickly brought to us so fast in fact that they had not put any alcohol in mine. I took a sip and knew immediately there was no alcohol in it. I called the wine waiter over and he apologised profusely and swiftly brought another drink and this time there was a good helping of alcohol in it.

We ordered our meal and wine to accompany it. There were not many people dining in the restaurant I think due to how expensive it was but it was worth every penny for the quality and the ambiance. We started off with a lovely bowl of onion soup which was tasty and accompanied by a variety of breads which were replenished throughout the meal. We had a couple of steaks which were cooked to perfection I wanted mine medium rare and it was absolutely delicious and nicely seasoned. The dressed salad was freshly made and the vegetables were nice and crisp. We did not bother with a dessert as we were full so just finished the meal with a nice cup of coffee and a night cap.

In the morning we got up fairly early and I went out onto the balcony at 6AM and there were already people making their way to Petra. It was a very foggy and the mists from the mountain were right down into the valley and it felt really quite fresh.
After getting up showered and dressed we went down for breakfast at the Al Saraya restaurant. There was a wide selection of foods available but I just stuck to coffee and a couple of Danish pastries and a yoghurt and fresh orange juice. It was very nice indeed and the coffee was free flowing.


There is a spa and gym in the hotel with up to date equipment in it. There is also a swimming pool. We didn't make use of any of these facilities as we were not there long enough so can not really comment on them.

After breakfast and packing our stuff we came to check out. Again the reception staff couldn't do enough for us. We asked them to arrange a car to take us to Little Petra and then back to Aqaba. After a couple of telephone calls the receptionist came to us and said that a car would be with us within half an hour and would cost the equivalent of £45 which was a bargain considering the distance involved plus the wait at Little Petra while we explored it.40 minutes later the car arrived also with the manager of the car business apologising profusely for the wait as he had promised the car within half an hour but he had to wait for the car to come back from Amman and it was dirty. It had a little bit of dust on it but it was hardly dirty bearing in mind we are in the middle of the mountains and desserts it was hardly surprising. Because of this he knocked a fiver off the fare which was very generous of him and quite unnecessary.


Overall I would rate this hotel very highly as the service was over and above what we were expecting and I would definitely recommend a stay here if you were visiting Petra as the staff could not do enough for you to make you feel relaxed and at home.

Summary: A nice good quality hotel right by the entrance to Petra with excellent staff and facilities.