Wadi Musa means “Valley of Moses”. It’s a town that has slowly emerged around Petra and comprises an easygoing bunch of hotels, restaurants, shops and houses stretching about 5km from Moses’ Spring (‘Ain Musa) to the main entrance of Petra near the bottom of the wadi.
Wadi Musa’s fortunes depend almost entirely on tourism and to that end, dozens of hotels were hastily built in the late 1990s, following a peace deal with Israel, often with no aesthetic or social sensitivity. Many locals invested in the new opportunities that mass tourism offered but then got caught out by the slump that followed hostilities among Jordan's neighbours. There’s now a moratorium on hotel building, in an effort to curb rampant expansion and to shift the focus to improving services rather than simply packing in tourists as densely as possible - a strategy that has largely worked in a town that takes its custodianship of Petra seriously.
Places to stay
Rocky Mountain Hotel
This good-value backpacker-friendly hotel has caught just the right vibe to make it Petra's most successful travellers’ stopover. There’s a cosy communal area with free tea and coffee and the majlis-style roof terrace makes the most of the impressive sweeping views. A free shuttle service to the Petra entrance leaves at 7.30am and 8.30am, returning at 4pm and 5pm. Close to the centre of Wadi Musa, the hotel is a small family run establishment, which features free WiFi in the public areas and a rooftop terrace with spectacular views of the Petra Mountains. All rooms at Rocky Mountain are equipped with air conditioning. The small bathrooms are all private and are fitted with a shower. There is a free shuttle to and from the Petra site that is scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon. Coffee is available all day on the rooftop terrace and traditional dinner is offered in the evenings. Soft drinks, mineral water, turkish coffee and lunchboxes are also available upon request. Guests can use the computer in the lobby which features free internet access.
Cleopetra Hotel
Another budget hotel, but one of the friendliest and most efficiently run in town, Cleopetra has bright, fresh rooms. There’s a communal sitting area in the lobby where wi-fi is available for a small outlay. The hotel can arrange overnight 4WD trips to Wadi Rum and the ever-helpful Mosleh can organise other transport. Cleopetra Hotel is located in the centre of Wadi Musa, 250 metres from the main bus station. It offers rooms with private bathrooms, and has a restaurant that serves regional cuisine. Rooms at the Cleopetra include wood furnishings and simple décor. The bathrooms are equipped with both a bath and shower. Some rooms feature city views. There’s a 24-hour front desk service and staff can arrange transportation to the main entrance of Petra and to other attractions in Jordan. Free public parking is possible on site.
Petra Guest House Hotel
Quite a bit more expensive but nevertheless offering excellent facilities, the Petra Guest House Hotel is situated at the entrance of ancient Petra. It offers air-conditioned rooms that overlook Wadi Musa’s mountains. All of the rooms have traditional furnishings. Each offers an en suite bathroom with bathroom amenities, satellite TV and a minibar. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The restaurant serves daily breakfast. The Cave Bar, set in a restored 1st century Nabatean house, features Arabic and European specialities in an al fresco setting. The bar also serves cocktails each evening. Guests receive a discount when dining at the restaurant. Guests can relax on Petra Guest House Hotel’s outdoor terrace or walk in the landscaped gardens. Hotel reception can arrange car rental and is available 24/7. Laundry and ironing services are available at the hotel. Aqaba King Hussein International Airport is 125 km away. Guests can reach Amman Airport with a 3 hours' drive.
The Peace Way Hotel
Although this hotel has undergone a remarkable makeover, it has still managed to keep its good-value pricing. The new look includes blue-lit ceilings, carved wooden doors and a handsome chocolate brown theme to the corridors and rooms, contrasted with cream-coloured marble. Unusually, it's pet-friendly too. The Peace Way is located in the centre of Wadi Musa, a one minute walk from the main market and 900 metres from the main gate to Petra. Guests can enjoy free WiFi throughout the property, which consists of two floors, containing seventeen rooms (Single, Double, Triple). All rooms come equipped with air conditioning, heating, a hairdryer, refrigerator, water heater, satellite TV and private bathroom. Room service is available. The hotel features a restaurant with a seating capacity of 38, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Staff at the tour desk can provide information on local attractions and packed lunches are available for day excursions. The hotel can assist with car rental. Free public parking is available nearby.
Title Image Credit: Dan (Image Cropped)