Our first stop in Jordan was Aqaba, crossing from the Israeli border. We needed a place to recuperate before heading on to Petra and beyond. Since we booked this trip using points and miles, our options were limited. Fortunately, Aqaba had a DoubleTree hotel, a Hilton property, that we were able to book for 10,000 points. With a great location and magnificent views of the Red Sea, the DoubleTree Aqaba became more than just a place to lay our heads, and turned into a truly enjoyable stay.
The lobby, decorated for Christmas.
DoubleTree Aqaba | From $84/night
Location: Situated near the waterfront of the Gulf of Aqaba, the DoubleTree’s location made it a good spot for checking out the local attractions. We were able to dip our toes into the Red Sea while walking along the beach toward the Aqaba fort, where T.E. Lawrence’s campaign in Jordan began. Just across the street was an excellent fast food restaurant, Lebnani, which was open late and had massive fruit cups and smoothies in addition to the regular fast food offerings.
The view of the Red Sea from our balcony at sunset.
Room: Upon arrival, our Hilton Gold status got us upgraded to a Deluxe Room which offered a balcony with a view of the sea, a king bed and a separate living area. It was a lot of space! Too bad we were only there for one night. It would have been the perfect room for a longer stay.
The third floor pool offered breathtaking views of the sea, Israel, and Egypt. Even though it was winter time, the weather was still nice enough to enjoy some time in the pool before the sun set. There is a bar in the pool area for refreshments. The lobby area was open and inviting, and many other families and groups congregated there. There was also a spa/sauna on site, as well as above-average gym facilities.
Our sea view room.
Bathroom in the Deluxe Room.
View from our balcony looking down into the pool.
Staff: The staff was incredibly professional and attentive. We arrived a bit early before the room was ready and they rushed to have it cleaned and ready for us. At the pool attendants were on hand with towels and ready to serve drinks.
In conclusion: There are some resorts along the waterfront that might suit you better if you’re looking for a longer stay, but for a quick trip to Aqaba, the DoubleTree is a great stop for us before heading deeper into Jordan. With a convenient location, nice amenities, and a reasonable price, the DoubleTree is a good option for visiting Aqaba.
Read more about our trip here:
How We Took a Three-Week Trip to the Holy Land for Less Than $300 Per Person
Itinerary and Price Breakdown: Christmas in the Holy Land