Review: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan

I spent four nights at the Mövenpick Resort Petra and walked away with a great appreciation for the excellent staff and central location of this hotel, situated directly outside the gates to Petra, Jordan.

Mövenpick Resort Petra Review

This hotel ran about $280/night with breakfast included during my March stay. Rates vary from about $150/night in the heat of summer to up to $400/night for a base room during high season.

Location

The hotel has many great qualities, but no greater quality than its ideal location across the road from the gates of Petra. Your journey to the ancient city of Petra begins by crossing the street, aptly called Tourism Street. In that sense, the Mövenpick represents the ideal base for any trip to Petra. In my case, I visited Petra three times over four days and it could not have been more convenient, especially if you want to be there for the sunrise or purchase tickets to Petra By Night.

The Marriott, the only other hotel I would consider comparable, is not far, but also not within walking distance. However, within walking distances are a number of restaurants and spas down the street from the hotel in a town known as Wadi Musa.

Check-In

The lobby area is quite small, with a pair of check-in desks and small seating area. Portraits of the royal family hang prominently on the wall.

But past the lobby is a beautiful atrium with tables and chairs, natural light, and a Levant-style decor. I spent a lot of time here during my stay, as I found it a far more inviting place to work than in my room.

Guest Room

The resort is classified as a five-star, but the room felt decidedly three-star. Indeed, it felt like a common Accor budget hotel…and that is being charitable. That’s not so much a knock on the room as a pertinent reminder that the draw of this hotel is the common areas and check-in…and of course the location.

Despite being in the shoulder season, the hotel was full and the only room available for me was a room with two twin beds, even though I was alone (my friend had a suite). I don’t mind a single bed, but thought the bedding could have been softer.

Disappointingly, the room included only a hot water kettle with powdered coffee…an espresso machine would have been appreciated.

The bathroom included a shower, single sink, toilet, and bidet. Bath products were from Trinitae, using Dead Sea minerals.

I did have a great view of the entrance to Petra from my room:

Dining

The hotel has a number of dining options, offering a wide variety of food and drinks.

Al Multaqa Lobby Lounge

The lobby lounge represented my favorite part of the hotel. The sound of running water and natural light made for a tranquil environment and I spent long periods between touring in this area of the hotel, enjoying freshly-squeezed juices and coffee.

Free Arabic coffee was available in the afternoons:

Al Saraya Restaurant

Al Saraya is an all-day dining restaurant featuring a breakfast buffet and international menu for lunch and dinner.  I had breakfast here and make the following observations:

• Breakfast included a great selection of Arabic and international cuisine, including baked goods and a number of western favorites like eggs, bacon and sausage (halal), French Toast, and pancakes
• My favorite part of breakfast was the falafel, freshly-made in front of you with all the fixings (including delicious tahini) to create a delectable falafel sandwich
• Coffee was disappointing…not great (I believe it was Mövenpick branded)
• Orange juice is not fresh-squeezed, however, I gently requested fresh-squeezed orange juice each morning and it was gladly brought for me at no extra charge, a gesture I very much appreciated
• Mövenpick-branded yogurt was offered as part of the buffet

Staff were excellent here and I greatly enjoyed a leisurely breakfast here in the mornings.

Al Maqa‘ad Bar

We unwinded with dinner and cocktails two of our four nights here after long days out. Staff were pleasant and the drinks well-made. The bar is perhaps the most ornate room of the resort:

One night I had mansaf, the other night I had filet mignon, which was cooked medium-rare as requested. And Mövenpick ice cream for dessert!

Al Iwan Restaurant

Al Iwan offers Mediterranean and local Jordanian cuisine. We did not try it (and if you are looking for very authentic Jordanian food while in Wadi Rum / Petra, try out “My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant” right down the block from the hotel).

Room Service

While I did not try Al Iwan, one night I ordered room service from Al Iwan, a mixed grill with lamb, chicken, and beef.

Al Ghadeer Roof Garden

A rooftop garden was closed during my stay.

Al Baraka Tea Room

The top-floor team room (also serving coffee and baked goods) was closed during my stay.

Mövenpick Ice Cream

During the warmer months, a small ice cream shop is open offering Mövenpick ice cream. It was also closed.

Chocolate Hour

One standard feature of ever Mövenpick property is a daily “Chocolate Hour” from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, featuring complimentary chocolate-themed sweets (the Swiss chain is famous for its chocolate). However, we happened never to be present for this hour (and when I eat chocolate, I only care for very dark chocolate with no sugar added anyway…).

Fitness Center

On the basement level a fitness center offers a modest selection of strength training equipment as well as a wide selection of cardiovascular equipment. I get so used to LifeFitness or TechnoGym equipment that I get thrown off track sometimes when a hotel gym has older equipment. Nevertheless, I improvised and had a great workout each day.

Spa

One disappointment was the spa. While it featured a wide range of spa treatments available as well as a hammam, there was no sauna or steam room, either which would have been particularly appreciated after extensive hiking in Petra.

Pool

The hotel has a beautiful outdoor pool, with plenty of seating and a trellis and trees which make it feel like a Mediterranean garden.

Business Center

Printing, fax, and computer facilities are available on the lobby level. There’s also a gift shop and ATM there too, though we found the ATM did not work (we found one that worked across the street outside the entrance to Petra).

Service

The service was wonderful here and I so appreciate the warm hospitality at this hotel, which really made up for the rather drab rooms and lack of wellness area. I want to particularly offer commendation to Abdallah and Ziad in Al Maqa‘ad, who took such wonderful care of us.

One other great example of service. One morning I went out for a sunrise hike in Petra and misjudged time, returning at 10:55 am, five minutes before the end of breakfast at Al Saraya. Rather than turn me away, the staff invited me to have a seat in the Al Multaqa Lobby Lounge and order what I wanted. Over the hour, I had a couple omelets as well as several glasses of fresh-squeezed orange juice and coffee. I greatly appreciated this very kind gesture, which really represented going above and beyond (after all, I got back late).

CONCLUSION

My final assessment of the Mövenpick Petra is that I would not consider any other property in Wadi Musa. I look forward to bringing my family here and loved the superb service, delicious food, and excellent location of this hotel.

Have you stayed at the Mövenpick Petra? How was your stay? How would you compare it to the Marriott Petra?