Petra Palace Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Petra Palace is a location-first budget pick — book it for the short walk to the gate, not for the rooms.
Petra Palace is a location-first budget pick — book it for the short walk to the gate, not for the rooms.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Petra Palace Hotel has been part of Wadi Musa for decades, and the rooms show their age. They cover the basics — air-con, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi — and everything works, but nothing here is plush. Part of the reviews call the rooms clean with enough space; others flag dated decor and bathrooms that need upgrading. If you set expectations at functional rather than fancy, the rooms do the job for a base near the gate.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is served in the main dining room with a reasonable spread, though reviewers describe it as fine rather than a highlight. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar and a spa on-site, but quality is uneven across reviews — these are the areas guests grumble about most. Free parking is a useful extra if you've driven yourself into Wadi Musa, and the front desk is happy to point you toward better food in town.
Location and getting there
This is where Petra Palace earns its place. It's a 5-minute walk to the Petra Visitor Centre, so you can be at the entrance early without waiting on a shuttle, then walk the 2 km inside to the Treasury. The hotel sits in the middle of Wadi Musa with restaurants, souvenir shops and convenience stores right around it — easy to grab supplies before a long day in the ancient city.
Things to know before booking
The honest reading: this is a budget stay that trades polish for position. The rooms and facilities are dated and want updating, the bathrooms in particular. Service is inconsistent across reviews, with the restaurant and spa drawing the most mixed comments. Breakfast is decent but not memorable. The 7.9/10 score on Booking.com, against more than 1,098 TripAdvisor reviews, captures the picture: well-located, friendly staff, tired hardware.
Our take
Book Petra Palace if your priority is being a few minutes from the gate on a mid-budget, and you don't mind dated rooms. Rates start from $86/night — cheaper than the 4- and 5-star options nearby — and most reviews praise the friendly front desk. For travelers who plan to spend their days inside Petra rather than at the hotel, that's a fair trade. If you want a pool, a spa you can rely on, or rooms that feel new, spend up for Mövenpick or P Quattro instead.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The location is the headline — a 5-minute walk gets you to the Petra Visitor Centre, so you can skip shuttles and reach the gate early.
- Rates are noticeably cheaper than the 4- and 5-star hotels in the same part of Wadi Musa, starting from $86/night.
- Most reviews praise the front desk staff as friendly and willing to help arrange trips or recommend restaurants in the area.
- Rooms cover the basics that matter — air-con, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi — and part of the reviews call them clean with enough space.
- There's a restaurant, a bar, a spa and free parking on-site, which is handy if you've driven yourself in.
- The rooms and facilities are dated; many reviews say the decor is old and the bathrooms need upgrading.
- Service quality is inconsistent across reviews, with the restaurant and spa drawing the most mixed comments.
- Breakfast at the main dining room is fine and has a reasonable spread, but nobody calls it a standout.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Petra
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Petra — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in PetraAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Walk to the Petra Visitor Centre rather than booking a transfer — it's only 5 minutes from the door, so leave early to beat the day-trip crowds.
- Ask the front desk for restaurant recommendations in Wadi Musa; reviewers say the staff are genuinely helpful with food and trip planning.
- If you've driven in, use the free on-site parking and stock up at the convenience stores nearby before a long day inside the ancient city.