Sleep Near the Ancient City: 7 Best Hotels and Camps Around Petra

If you're looking to treat your family while maintaining proximity to Petra's entrance (we're talking literally across the street), the Mövenpick Resort is your golden ticket. After a day of trekking through ancient ruins under the Jordanian sun with two tired kids, I cannot overstate the value of a five-minute walk back to your hotel rather than a taxi ride.

The Mövenpick strikes that perfect balance between luxury and practicality for families. Their family rooms are spacious enough that parents won't trip over backpacks and hiking boots, and the kids can spread out without driving everyone mad. The rooftop pool became our daily ritual – the kids would splash around while my husband and I sipped fresh mint lemonade and watched the sunset paint the mountains in shades of amber and rose.

What truly won me over was their approach to dining with children. The breakfast buffet features both international options for less adventurous eaters and local Jordanian specialties for the culinary curious (my food stylist heart was delighted by the beautiful presentation of their mezze platters). When my stepdaughter declared the date pancakes with orange blossom syrup 'the best breakfast ever,' I knew we'd made the right choice.

While not cheap by Jordanian standards, the convenience factor and amenities make this mid-to-upper range option worth every dinar for families who want comfort without sacrificing location.

If your family craves adventure and authentic experiences like mine does, spending at least one night in a Bedouin camp is non-negotiable. Seven Wonders Luxury Camp in Little Petra offers the perfect middle ground between genuine cultural immersion and family-friendly comfort.

Unlike the tourist-trap camps closer to Wadi Musa, Seven Wonders sits in a secluded valley about 15 minutes from Petra's main entrance. Their 'luxury' designation isn't an exaggeration – the traditional goat-hair tents have been upgraded with proper beds, quality linens, and even en-suite bathrooms (a game-changer when traveling with kids who need midnight toilet runs).

The magic happens after dinner when the generator shuts off, and the valley plunges into darkness. Wrapped in blankets beside the fire pit, we gazed up at a sky so thick with stars it looked like someone had spilled sugar across black velvet. Our host Abu Ali taught the kids to identify constellations while sharing Bedouin folklore that had them wide-eyed with wonder.

Before heading to Jordan, I invested in a proper headlamp for each family member – an absolute essential for navigating camp at night and early morning bathroom visits. These were bright enough to light our path but had red light settings that didn't destroy our night vision for stargazing.

Breakfast deserves special mention – freshly baked flatbread, local honey, labneh, and eggs cooked over an open fire. My husband still talks about the cardamom-infused coffee served in tiny cups as 'life-changing.'

For families seeking the sweet spot between affordability and comfort, Petra Moon Hotel quickly rose to the top of my recommendations list after our stay last fall. Located just a five-minute walk from Petra's visitor center, this locally-owned hotel offers remarkable value without cutting corners on the essentials.

What sets Petra Moon apart is their genuine understanding of family needs. Their family suites feature two connected rooms, giving parents that precious bit of privacy while keeping the kids within earshot. The rooms aren't fancy, but they're spotlessly clean, with comfortable beds and reliable hot water – priorities that become crystal clear after a dusty day exploring ancient ruins!

The hotel's rooftop terrace became our nightly ritual spot, where we'd gather with other families to compare notes on the day's adventures. The kids would inevitably form international playgroups while we adults enjoyed the surprisingly good local wine and mezze platters under string lights with views of the mountains.

Breakfast exceeded our expectations with a spread of both Western and Jordanian options. The staff took particular delight in introducing my stepdaughter to different Jordanian specialties each morning, creating a little food adventure that had her trying things she'd normally refuse at home.

One unexpected benefit was the hotel's relationship with local guides. When booking through the hotel, we secured Ahmed, a former archaeology student who tailored our Petra tour perfectly for the kids, turning what could have been an exhausting history lesson into an Indiana Jones-style treasure hunt that had them racing from clue to clue through the ancient city.

I recommend bringing a good quality day pack for each family member. The hotel provides complimentary water bottles, but you'll want a comfortable way to carry them along with snacks and sun protection during your long days exploring Petra.

When my 12-year-old stepson discovered we could sleep in 'space bubbles' near Petra, our accommodation decision was essentially made for us. Petra Bubble Luxotel offers a completely unique lodging experience that combines environmental consciousness with serious wow-factor for kids and adults alike.

Located about 15 minutes drive from Petra's entrance in the mountains of Little Petra, this collection of transparent dome tents provides an experience that feels straight out of a sci-fi film. Each climate-controlled bubble features a luxuriously appointed bedroom with panoramic views of the starry sky and rugged landscape. The kids were absolutely gobsmacked when they realized they could stargaze from their actual beds.

Despite the futuristic appearance, the Luxotel takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Solar power, water conservation systems, and minimal landscape disruption reflect a commitment to treading lightly in this ancient environment – something I always prioritize when choosing family accommodations.

The on-site restaurant serves traditional Jordanian cuisine with a modern twist, using locally sourced ingredients. My husband still raves about their makloubeh (an upside-down rice and vegetable dish) as the best he had in Jordan. For the kids, the chef was happy to prepare simplified versions of local dishes that introduced them to new flavors without overwhelming their developing palates.

While definitely in the upper-mid range of our budget, the unique experience justified the splurge for our two-night stay. The property includes a small but beautiful infinity pool that creates the illusion of swimming at the edge of the mountains – perfect for cooling off after Petra explorations.

One essential item for this accommodation is a good sleep mask for each family member. While the bubbles have partial privacy screens, the desert sunrise comes early and bright!

Sometimes the most memorable stays come from places with the most heart rather than the most stars, and Rocky Mountain Hotel embodies this philosophy perfectly. This family-run establishment in Wadi Musa offers clean, comfortable rooms at budget-friendly prices, but it's the genuine Jordanian hospitality that makes it special.

When we arrived, exhausted after a long drive from Amman, the owner Mahmoud greeted us with fresh mint tea and immediately made the kids feel welcome by bringing out traditional Jordanian sweets. Within minutes, my stepdaughter was learning Arabic phrases from his daughter of similar age – a cultural exchange no guided tour could provide.

The rooms are simple but spotlessly clean, with comfortable beds and reliable hot water. Family rooms feature a double bed and two singles, with enough space for everyone's luggage without feeling cramped. The air conditioning works well – a blessing after hot days exploring Petra.

What sets Rocky Mountain apart is their rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the mountains surrounding Petra. Each evening, Mahmoud's family serves a home-cooked Jordanian dinner family-style, where guests share tables and stories. My normally shy stepson found himself engaged in animated conversation with a retired archaeology professor from Germany who had been visiting Petra annually for decades.

The hotel's location is about a 15-minute walk from Petra's entrance, but they offer a free shuttle service in the mornings and afternoons. This slight distance from the tourist hub means peaceful nights and a more authentic neighborhood experience.

Breakfast deserves special mention – Mahmoud's wife makes the most incredible manakish (flatbread with za'atar) I've ever tasted. I even convinced her to let me into the kitchen for an impromptu cooking lesson, which resulted in one of my favorite travel memories from Jordan.

For families watching their budget while wanting an authentic experience, Rocky Mountain offers exceptional value. I recommend bringing a portable white noise machine if your kids are light sleepers, as the call to prayer from nearby mosques can be heard in the early morning.

For families who prefer a bit of breathing room away from the tourist hustle while still maintaining easy access to Petra, Petra Panorama Hotel offers exactly what its name suggests – spectacular views coupled with solid mid-range accommodations that work well for families.

Perched on a hillside above Wadi Musa, about a 5-minute drive from Petra's entrance, this hotel compensates for the slight distance with complimentary shuttle service and vistas that will have your Instagram followers green with envy. Our family room was spacious enough for two adults and two kids, with a small balcony that quickly became our favorite spot for morning coffee and evening wind-down.

The hotel features a modestly sized but well-maintained swimming pool that proved invaluable for cooling off after dusty days exploring ruins. While not luxurious, the pool area offers comfortable loungers and a small snack bar serving refreshments and light meals – my stepson declared their falafel sandwich 'better than the ones in Memphis' (high praise from a now-converted falafel enthusiast).

Breakfast is served buffet-style with a mix of continental and Jordanian options that satisfied both the adventurous eaters and the more cautious members of our family. The fresh fruit selection was particularly impressive – a welcome sight in the desert environment.

What truly sets Panorama apart is their sunset terrace, where each evening they serve traditional Jordanian tea as the mountains transform through shades of gold, rose, and purple. It became our family tradition to gather there before dinner, sharing highlights from our day's adventures while watching the spectacular light show.

The hotel's restaurant serves reliable Jordanian cuisine at fair prices, though we alternated between dining in and venturing into Wadi Musa for more variety. The staff was exceptionally accommodating with the children, often bringing special treats or teaching them simple Arabic phrases.

One item I was particularly glad to have packed was our binoculars. From our hillside perch, we could spot mountain goats traversing seemingly impossible cliff faces and watch the changing light play across distant geological formations.

Traveling with family doesn't always mean breaking the bank, especially when you find gems like Petra Gate Hostel & Hotel. Don't let the word 'hostel' scare you off – this place offers private family rooms that deliver exceptional value without sacrificing the essentials.

Located about a 10-minute walk from Petra's entrance, Petra Gate has mastered the art of budget accommodation that doesn't feel budget. Their family rooms feature one double and two single beds with private bathrooms – simple but spotlessly clean with reliable hot water and air conditioning. The walls are a bit thin (bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper), but the trade-off in savings makes this a minor inconvenience.

What truly elevates this property is the communal atmosphere cultivated by the Jordanian family who runs it. The rooftop terrace becomes a social hub each evening, where travelers from across the globe share Petra tips and travel stories. My kids were initially hesitant about the communal aspect but ended up making friends with children from Germany and Japan, exchanging contact details to stay in touch after our trips.

Breakfast is included and features a simple but satisfying spread of flatbread, hummus, labneh, hard-boiled eggs, olives, cucumber, tomato, and fruit. The unlimited tea and coffee were particularly welcome for early Petra starts. For dinner, they offer a nightly communal Jordanian feast (for an additional but reasonable fee) that consistently earns rave reviews.

The hostel offers several services that add tremendous value for families: free luggage storage if you arrive before check-in time, a book exchange loaded with guides and novels, and complimentary mint tea available throughout the day. They also sell reasonably priced water and snacks for Petra explorations – much cheaper than buying inside the archaeological site.

Perhaps most valuable is the wealth of local knowledge shared freely by the staff. They helped us plan our Petra visits to avoid both crowds and the worst of the heat, suggested lesser-known viewpoints perfect for family photos, and even arranged a local guide who specialized in making archaeology fascinating for children.

For budget-conscious families who value authentic experiences over luxury amenities, Petra Gate offers remarkable bang for your buck. Just be sure to pack a good quality travel towel as the ones provided are on the small side.