Where to Stay in Aqaba – Best Areas, Hotels, Resorts and Practical Advice

Aqaba is undergoing rapid urban and tourism development, with large-scale construction projects aimed at transforming the city into an international holiday destination. Developments such as Ayla Oasis, a man-made lagoon complex located around 10 minutes from the city center, represent this new direction, together with expansion plans along South Beach under the ASEZA masterplan.

The city center offers a mix of old, tired hotels and new modern properties for all budgets. The western coastline concentrates most luxury resorts and international hotels, while the southern area around Tala Bay functions as a dedicated resort district with purpose-built beachfront complexes and marina communities. Your choice should depend on the type of trip you are doing: city exploration, relaxation, diving, resort-style holidays, or structured beach resort living.

If you are coming for winter sun, relaxation, or a holiday stay (not as part of a Jordan road trip), the resort areas make far more sense than city hotels. One practical warning when booking: do not accidentally book accommodation in Eilat, Israel, which appears frequently on booking platforms when searching for Aqaba.


Aqaba City Hotels and Hostels

Staying in the city center gives you access to restaurants, shops, walking areas, and local life. However, quality varies significantly between structures.

Baity Boutique Hotel

A solid value option with a rooftop sunbathing area, bar, and small pool. Good service, practical comfort, and fair pricing. The location is slightly outside the core center but manageable by taxi.

DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba

Located directly in the city center. Reliable international standard, practical location, suitable for business travelers and short stays.

Hakaia Home and Hakaia Community

The first hostel projects in Aqaba. Hakaia Home offers dorms, breakfast and shared kitchen, while Hakaia Community focuses on co-working, creativity and social spaces. Both are well-rated and popular among backpackers and long-stay travelers.


Aqaba Resorts and Luxury Hotels

All major resorts and luxury hotels are concentrated on the western coastline. These are designed for structured holidays, beach access, relaxation, and resort-style services.

Cloud7 Ayla

A 4-star resort that stands out for contemporary design and apartment-style accommodation. Suitable for travelers who want independence with resort services.

Al Manara Luxury Hotel

High-end 5-star resort located near Tala Bay, offering direct Red Sea access and exceptional communal areas. The hotel features 199 rooms with sea views, allergy-free options, air conditioning, seating area, and flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are equipped with bidet, shower, dressing gowns, and toiletries.

Facilities include a private beach, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa with sauna, Jacuzzi, treatment rooms, and wellness services such as body wraps, scrubs, and massages. Guests can enjoy on-site dining at Aqwas Restaurant for local cuisine, Sabeel Pool for international specialties, plus a lounge bar and nearby Mediterranean restaurants.

Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, parking, 24-hour reception, express check-in/check-out, room service, laundry, and access to a golf club. The resort is family-friendly with kids’ play areas, game room, and children’s buffet.

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba

5-star luxury resort located on Aqaba’s sandy beach, featuring premium facilities with a focus on large suites, ideal for families or long stays. The hotel offers 200 rooms with balconies, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibar, and tea/coffee making facilities. Bathrooms include bidet, separate toilet, shower, hair dryer, and shower cap.

Guests have access to a private beach, year-round outdoor swimming pool, fitness studio, spa with sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and a variety of wellness treatments including massages, body wraps, facials, and pedicures. Water activities include snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, canoeing, and golfing at the on-site course.

On-site dining options include Olea THE Grill for dinner, Crust restaurant for lunch, plus poolside bar and nearby bars serving international cuisine. The resort provides free Wi-Fi, parking, 24-hour reception, room service, laundry, and a business center for guests.

Mövenpick Resort Aqaba

5-star resort located in central Aqaba, offering excellent value for money. The property has 297 rooms, some with balconies and self-catering facilities including mini fridge, tea/coffee equipment, and air conditioning. Bathrooms include bidet, dryer, and dressing gowns. Guests enjoy sea views from many rooms.

Facilities include a private beach, 4 outdoor swimming pools, Jacuzzi, spa with wellness treatments, sun terraces, fitness center, and yoga classes. Water activities such as snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and canoeing are available. The resort also provides access to a golf course and darts for recreation.

Dining options include Palm Court Terrace for local cuisine, poolside bar with cocktails, and nearby BBQ serving Arabic food. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, express check-in/-out, room service, laundry, and car hire services.

InterContinental Aqaba

5-star beachfront resort offering standardized luxury and reliable quality. The hotel features 5-star rooms, some with balconies and lagoon views, equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TV, dressing room, and bathrooms with bidet, hairdryer, and dressing gowns. Many rooms provide sea views.

Facilities include a private beach, outdoor pools, fitness center, spa with sauna and Jacuzzi, wellness and beauty treatments, golf course, and sun terraces. Guests can enjoy water activities like windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, and fishing.

Dining options include Corniche restaurant serving international cuisine, poolside bar, and nearby seafood and Mediterranean restaurants. Additional services include free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, express check-in/-out, valet parking, room service, laundry, car hire, and business center.

Hyatt Regency Aqaba

5-star luxury resort offering large modern rooms with balconies, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridge, and coffee/tea facilities. Bathrooms include bidet, separate toilet, shower, and towels. Many rooms provide marina or pool views.

Facilities include a private beach with cabanas, 4 outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, spa with Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, and wellness treatments. Guests can enjoy water sports like windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, canoeing, and fishing, as well as golf, tennis, cycling, hiking, and horseback riding. Poolside terrace and garden areas enhance relaxation.

Dining options feature buffet breakfast and onsite restaurants offering Greek, Italian, and local cuisine. Pool bar and snack bars provide drinks and light meals. Additional services include free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, express check-in/-out, valet parking, room service, laundry, car hire, and a business center.



Tala Bay Resort Area – Southern Aqaba Beachfront

About 15 km south of Aqaba city centre, the Tala Bay area hosts a large resort complex along a 2-kilometer stretch of Red Sea coastline. This destination is ideal for travelers seeking a mix of luxury, privacy, and full-service amenities. The resorts here combine modern design with natural surroundings, offering spacious rooms with private balconies overlooking the sea, elegant furnishings, and all essential comforts including Wi-Fi and TV.

Tala Bay resorts provide a wide range of recreational options: five swimming pools, a private beach, water sports including diving, sailing, and banana boat rides, as well as evening entertainment. Multiple restaurants on-site serve both local and international cuisine, with indoor and outdoor seating and panoramic views of the sea.

For holidaymakers focused on relaxation, beach time, and resort-style experiences rather than city exploration, Tala Bay offers a complete package that is hard to match elsewhere in Aqaba. It is also a convenient alternative for those looking to combine luxury accommodation with easy access to diving or other Red Sea activities.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba

This 5-star beachfront resort is one of the flagship properties in Tala Bay, featuring lagoon-style pools with waterfalls, a private beach, spa and wellness facilities, water sport centers, and elegantly designed rooms with sea views. Its location makes it suitable for couples, families, or leisure travellers focused on comfort and seaside relaxation.

Grand Tala Bay Resort, Aqaba

Located directly on the waterfront, this resort offers multiple outdoor pools, private beach access, restaurants with panoramic sea views, and easy access to water sports such as parasailing, sailing and windsurfing. With spacious rooms and amenities for both adults and children, it’s a strong choice for a classic beach holiday experience. :

Tala Bay Residence – Families Only

A family-oriented accommodation option within Tala Bay, featuring multiple swimming pools, private beach access, play areas, dining options, and leisure facilities. It’s well-suited for families looking for an apartment-style vacation experience with resort conveniences.

In addition to these flagship properties, Tala Bay and its immediate surroundings offer boutique apartments and smaller resort hotels that blend comfort, sea access and local hospitality — making it a strategic base if your priority is **beach-front relaxation, resort amenities, and scenic views of the Red Sea**.



Dive Schools and Diving Accommodation

Dive schools in Aqaba are located outside the city center, generally on the opposite side of the highway and not directly on the seafront. Many are surrounded by construction zones and semi-industrial areas, so location quality varies significantly.

These accommodations make sense only if your trip is dive-focused. For general tourism, relaxation, or city experience, they are strategically weak choices unless the deal is exceptional.

For dedicated divers, they are highly practical due to integrated dive packages and course availability.

  • Aqaba Adventure Divers Resort & Dive Center
  • Arab Divers
  • Darna Divers Village

Strategic Accommodation Logic

If your goal is relaxation, winter sun, and structured holiday experience, choose resorts.

If your goal is local immersion, short stays, and urban access, choose city hotels.

If your goal is diving, choose dive schools.

Anything else is compromise positioning.

Aqaba is not a “walkable mixed experience city”. It is a zoned destination. Your accommodation choice determines your mobility, experience quality, and cost structure. Choose logically, not emotionally.