If you're looking for the best hotels near Petra for families, this guide is for parents trying to decide where to stay near Petra with kids and whether it's worth paying extra to be close to the entrance.

Quick answer: What are the best hotels near Petra for families?

For most families, staying close to Petra is absolutely worth it. Petra is one of the earliest starts and longest days in a Jordan itinerary, so reducing travel time makes a big difference. That said, if you're self-driving, free parking at the visitor centre means you don't necessarily need to stay within walking distance.

When we planned our trip, we specifically chose a hotel within walking distance of Petra to make the logistics easier with Joshua. Looking back, we got that part right — but if I was booking again, I'd also prioritise a pool. After a full day exploring Petra, we realised downtime and somewhere to cool off were more valuable than we expected.

In this guide, I'll cover:

• where to stay near Petra with kids

• whether walking distance to Petra matters

• the best hotel locations for early starts

• budget vs resort-style options

• what we'd do differently next time

Just a quick note: some links in this guide are affiliate links. This doesn't affect the price you pay, and we only recommend hotels we'd happily stay at again ourselves.

Does It Matter Where You Stay Near Petra?

For families, absolutely.

Petra is one of the highlights of any Jordan itinerary, but it's also one of the longest and most physically demanding days. Early starts help you beat both the crowds and the heat, so where you stay can have a big impact on the experience.

We deliberately chose a hotel within walking distance of Petra because we wanted to make the logistics as easy as possible with Joshua. Not having to think about parking, traffic or getting everyone into the car first thing in the morning definitely reduced the stress.

That said, if you're hiring a car, don't feel you must stay right next to the entrance. There is plenty of free parking at the Petra Visitor Centre and we found driving in Jordan far easier than expected.

If you're still planning your day, read Can You Do Petra in One Day With Kids? to understand how much of a difference an early start can make.

Does It Matter Where You Stay Near Petra?

Yes — but probably not for the reason you think.

Before our trip, we were focused almost entirely on staying within walking distance of Petra. We wanted an easy early start, especially with Joshua, and we liked the idea of not having to worry about parking, traffic or getting everyone into the car first thing in the morning. That worked well, and being able to walk to the entrance definitely simplified the logistics.

However, looking back, location wasn't the only thing that mattered. What we underestimated was how exhausted we would be after a full day exploring Petra. The walk from the hotel to the entrance is easy; it's the 10–15 miles of walking inside Petra that takes its toll. By the end of the day, we found ourselves wishing we had somewhere to cool off and relax, particularly a pool.

The good news is that if you're self-driving, parking at Petra Visitor Centre is straightforward and free, so you don't necessarily need to stay right next to the entrance. Families with a hire car may find that a hotel slightly further away offers better facilities and more downtime without adding much inconvenience.

For us, walking distance was a good choice, but if we were booking again, we'd be looking for a better balance between easy access to Petra and somewhere to recover afterwards. A pool felt like an unnecessary extra when we booked — after Petra, it felt like a brilliant idea.

Best Hotels Near Petra for Families

Budget: Petra Aretas Hotel

Best for: Families prioritising location and value.

Pros:

• easy walk to Petra

• breakfast included

• family rooms available

• free parking

• family tea room

If your priority is getting the best value hotel within walking distance of Petra, check the latest prices for Petra Aretas Hotel here.

Mid-Range: Petra Moon Hotel

Best for: Families wanting a pool without a huge jump in budget.

Pros:

• very close to Petra entrance

• rooftop dining

• outdoor pool

• strong family reviews

• convenient for Petra by Night

Looking for a balance between location and facilities? Check current rates at Petra Moon Hotel here.

Premium: Mövenpick Resort Petra

Best for: Families wanting the ultimate location.

Pros:

• directly opposite Petra entrance

• luxury facilities

• ideal for early starts and Petra by Night

• outdoor pool

Want the closest hotel possible to Petra? Check availability at Mövenpick Resort Petra and see if the location premium is worth it for your family.

Best for Facilities: Old Village Resort

Best for: Families who value pools and downtime.

Pros:

• multiple pools

• resort-style atmosphere

• beautiful setting

• great for longer stays

• 6 minute drive from Petra visitor centre

If you think you'll need recovery time after Petra, have a look at Old Village Resort. We probably would have considered this more seriously if booking again.

Best Views: Petra Marriott Hotel

Best for: Families willing to drive for a more upscale experience.

Pros:

• impressive views

• excellent pool

• strong facilities

• free parking

• 5 minute drive from Petra vistor centre

If you're self-driving Jordan and prioritise comfort over walking distance, check rates at Petra Marriott Hotel.

Where We Stayed: Petra Aretas Hotel

We stayed at Petra Aretas Hotel and, for the price, it was a really good choice.

What worked well:

• walking distance to Petra

• free parking

• breakfast included

• early breakfast available for Petra days

• triple room options (which can be surprisingly difficult to find for a family of three)

• dinner available on-site

• complimentary afternoon Bedouin tea

• genuinely friendly and hospitable service

Most importantly, it made our Petra morning simple. We could have breakfast and walk straight to the entrance without worrying about transport.

What We'd Do Differently Next Time

If I was booking again, I'd definitely pay more for a hotel with a pool.

When planning the trip, we focused almost entirely on location because we assumed we'd spend all our time exploring Petra. Looking back, we underestimated how tired everyone would be afterwards.

After a full day walking through the Siq, exploring the Treasury, climbing to the Monastery and returning for Petra by Night, the thing we wished we'd had was somewhere to cool off and relax.

A pool felt like an unnecessary luxury before the trip. After Petra, it felt like a necessity.

Read our Visiting Petra With Kids for practical tips, walking distances, what to pack and how to make the most of your day with children.

What Matters Most for Families?

After our visit, I'd rank hotel priorities in this order:

1. Close to Petra

2. Swimming pool

3. Family room availability

4. Included breakfast

5. Free parking

A hotel can look fantastic online, but if it doesn't make your Petra day easier, it's probably not the right choice.

How This Fits Into a Jordan Family Itinerary

For most families, Petra sits right in the middle of a Jordan trip, usually between the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum.

That means your Petra hotel has a very different purpose to your Dead Sea or Aqaba hotel. At those stops you're looking to relax. At Petra, convenience comes first.

See our 9-Day Jordan Family Itinerary: Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum & Aqaba Road Trip to understand how Petra fits into the wider route.

If you're comparing accommodation across the entire country, read Where to Stay in Jordan With Kids: The Best Family Hotels by Location.

Final Verdict: Best Hotels Near Petra for Families

For most families, the best hotel near Petra is the one that balances proximity, comfort and recovery time.

We were happy with Petra Aretas, it was clean, comfy and practical and because it made early starts easy and simplified the logistics. However, if we were booking again, we'd be tempted to spend a little more for a hotel with a pool, or stay a bit further out and try Old Village Resort. Location matters, but after a full day exploring Petra, having somewhere to relax matters too.

FAQs - Best Hotels Near Petra with Kids

Where should families stay near Petra?

Families should ideally stay close to Petra's visitor centre to make early starts easier. Walking distance hotels are particularly useful if you're visiting Petra by Night.

Read Can You Do Petra in One Day With Kids? for more on early morning timings.

Is it worth staying within walking distance of Petra?

Yes, especially if you're travelling with children. It makes early starts easier and allows you to return to your hotel more quickly after a long day.

Do hotels near Petra have swimming pools?

Some do, and looking back we'd recommend considering one. After a full day in Petra, a pool is more useful than we expected.

Is parking easy at Petra?

Yes. There is plenty of free parking near the visitor centre, so if you're self-driving you don't necessarily need a hotel directly next to the entrance.

See Driving in Jordan: Car Hire Tips, Road Rules & What It's Really Like for more on self-driving.

How many nights should families stay in Petra?

Most families should stay one or two nights. This gives enough time for an early Petra start and, if you're interested, Petra by Night.

Read Petra by Night With Kids: Is It Worth It? Honest Family Review to decide whether it's worth including.

Should you choose a budget hotel or a hotel with a pool?

If the budget allows, we'd recommend a hotel with a pool. Petra is tiring, and having somewhere to relax afterwards makes a bigger difference than we expected.

plan your TRIP TO jordan

If you’re planning your family trip to Jordan, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.