Let’s cut to the chase here; Wadi Rum is no ordinary place! There is no desert anywhere in the world quite like it. Huge amounts of iron oxide deposited through tectonic plate movement over millions of years, have turned this desert and mountainous landscape into one of the reddest areas in the world, giving it a most unworldly look.
This has resulted in countless luxury hotels in Wadi Rum, springing up almost everywhere in this dramatic landscape, offering a wide range of sightseeing activities and experiences found nowhere else on the planet. All these hotels and camps are set amongst huge rocky outcrops, surrounded by blood red sand dunes, and offer exceptional accommodation in luxurious tents and bubbles, most of which resembling a “Martian Colony”.
Over and above their excellent and luxurious facilities, and their authentic Bedouin-style cuisine and hospitality, they offer and arrange numerous excursions into the desert for their guests. Any of these excursions will turn their stay into a memorable and unforgettable experience.
These include:
- Jeep Tours
- Sunset viewing from selected locations
- Hiking trails and mountain climbing
- Spending a night in the desert under the stars. (A unique experience)
- Hot-Air balloon rides across the desert
Although it is virtually impossible to gauge which of these resorts are the best camps in Wadi Rum, I have made a list of just a few to consider whenever you’re visiting this magnificent place located in the southwest corner of Jordan.
1. The best desert camps in Wadi Rum
1.1. Hasan Zawaideh Luxury Camp
Conveniently situated 11 kms northeast of the village, this hotel complex offers tent accommodation, suitable for loners, couples and families. There are two types of units available at this beautiful Wadi Rum Camp – tents and bubble tents. For a unique experience, I recommend booking a bubble tent in Wadi Rum – the views are worth it!
Each unit has its own patio and mountain views, while the restaurant provides an excellent Bedouin cuisine with the choice of room delivery. The immediate area around the camp has beautiful trails ideal for hiking on your own, and the massive rocky outcrop situated alongside it, is a perfect sunset viewing spot, without you having to go anywhere.
This family-run camp offers all the usual treks and jeep tours into the desert, earning its place on our list of the best bedouin camps in Wadi Rum.
1.2. Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
This must be the closest you’ll ever get to being on Mars, but surrounded in complete opulence. Spread in a circular formation resembling a Martian colony, beneath an imposing rocky mountain, five minutes’ drive from the village, the 55 dome-like luxurious tents offer spectacular night sky and mountain scenery from the comfort of your bed. Not kidding!
All tents are lavishly furnished with all the amenities you’d expect in the poshest hotel anywhere in the world, making Aicha Luxury Camp the most luxurious camp in Wadi Rum. Absolutely over-the-top, but oh so beautiful. Onsite facilities include a restaurant and barbecue area, library and viewing terrace and they also arrange every type of desert tour. The dining area is just out of this world.
Certainly the one of the best Wadi Rum luxury camps!
1.3. Orbit Camp
Beautifully located beneath a tall rocky cliff on the northeast edge of the Reserve, Orbit Camp is certainly one of the best bubble hotels in Wadi Rum. Not as opulent as “Memories”, but the beautifully furnished bubbles, spread across the red desert, give this camp a “Martian Colony” feel. Being surrounded by imposing rocky outcrops it also offers many sunset viewing sites on your doorstep.
Terrace, garden for the kids, restaurant, bar and barbeque facilities, and a super friendly staff provide all the amenities you could ever need, making Orbit Camp an ideal family-friendly camp in Wadi Rum.
As with all resorts in the Reserve, all desert tours can be arranged. If you’re looking for luxury camping in Wadi Rump, this camp is the place to be!
1.4. Bubble Luxotel
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, this 3-Star luxury bubble hotel in Wadi Rum offers a memorable and unique experience. The transparent roofs of their cute bubble rooms, allow you to enjoy panoramic mountain views, spending the night under the stars, from the comfort of your beds.
With loads of living space in and around your bubble, including a plunge pool, and close to all the main spots, glamping in Wadi Rum does not get better than this.
Bubble Luxotel is situated in the northern section of Wadi Rum, also offering all the desert tours and excursions. End a perfect day with a little stargazing through the portable telescope and an astronomer on hand to discover the magic of the Arabian night skies.
1.5. Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp
Nestled in a rocky cove beneath a huge rocky outcrop in the heart of the Reserve and 10 minutes from the village, Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp is one of the best camps in Wadi Rum, that offers loads of accommodation styles.
You have the choice of luxury Bedouin-style tents with king size, double or triple bed arrangements, with luxurious hand-made furnishings, and an outside terrace with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. They also offer beautiful and cosy bubbles with showers, outside patio and furniture, overlooking the desert and mountains.
The perfect accommodation for your next getaway in Wadi Rum, Jordan!
1.6. Sun City Camp
Located on the north-eastern edge of the Reserve, Sun City Camp offers spacious, rectangular luxury tents with one double bed or two single beds and full en suite bathroom with shower and western-style toilet. You can also choose quaint Martian domes with similar sleeping arrangements and facilities. All units have large windows to enjoy the stunning desert and mountain scenery.
An ã la carte and buffet restaurant serving delicious local food is available onsite, as well as a coffee shop. While spending the night at Sunt City Camp, you won’t get bored! You can join one of their special shows during the evening or e jeep tour during the day!
For Hollywood boffs, the location for the film “The Martian” is less than 300 metres away from this amazing Wadi Rum camp.
1.7. Zeina Desert Lodge
Just a kilometre west of Sun City, overlooking the impressive “Seven Pillars of Wisdom”, is Zeina Desert Lodge, one of the best camps in Wadi Rum. It offers luxurious rooms of various sizes and dome accommodation with various bedding options, and panoramic night sky, desert and mountain views. Continental or buffet breakfasts are on offer and the restaurant serves a delicious array of food with room service too.
Zeina Desert Lodge is also located close to the location of the film “The Martian” and the “Seven Pillars of Wisdom”, a towering mountain range, made famous by the book of the same name by T. E. Lawrence, the man we know as Lawrence of Arabia. This particular site comes alive during the magic hour of sunset…a spectacle to behold.
As expected from all Wadi Rum luxury camps, this camp also arranges all types of desert excursions to all the main attractions in the Reserve.
1.8. Bubble RumCamp
Also located on the north-eastern edge of the Reserve, next to Orbit Camp, Bubble RumCamp offers some of the finest glamping in Wadi Rum, surrounded by tall rocky mountains with numerous stunning sunset viewing spots close by.
The spacious bubbles are placed on raised bases providing an outdoor patio to relax, while enjoying the rugged desert and mountain scenery, and are perfect for couples. A restaurant serves local delicious meals and continental, Halaal, Asian or buffet breakfasts.
1.9. Sara Luxury Camp
This is one of the best luxury camps in Wadi Rum, situated on the north-eastern section that offers excellent bubble-style accommodation, in a picture-perfect setting surrounded by red sand and pink mountains. The spacious bubbles all come with various bedding options, private bathrooms, mini-bar, and are air-conditioned.
If you’re dreaming about sleeping under the stars in Wadi Rum, this is the place to be! In my opinion, sleeping in a bubble tent while in Wadi Rum is a must!
Sara Luxury Camp is located in close proximity to several sunset viewing sites and the enigmatic French Castle, believed to be a French movie set.
1.10. Bubble Tent & Luxury Camp
My top 10 best accommodations in Wadi Rum ends with Bubble Tent & Luxury Camp. Conveniently located on the outskirts of the village and close to most of the main attractions, this highly-rated camp offers fabulous tent and bubble accommodation with all double, triple and deluxe rooms having private bathrooms, patios, air conditioners and stunning mountain views.
Their bar and restaurants provide authentic Arabian cuisine with delicious and generous continental, buffet, Halaal, and vegan breakfast options. This site also has some of best sunset viewing spots in the area.
As with all the Wadi Rum hotels, they offer all the usual desert excursions and also provide currency exchange on site.
2. Final Thoughts
When you first enter the Wadi Rum, it may seem inconceivable that in this desolate and seemingly inhospitable landscape, you’ll find possibly the warmest and most hospitable people in the world.
You can bet your life that you’ll experience that warm Bedouin hospitality for yourselves, no matter which camp or hotel resort you choose to stay in Wadi Rum. It’s in their DNA.
If you’re planning a trip to Jordan, make you sure you check out my articles about the Dead Sea, Amman and Petra! May the travel bug bite you!
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Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
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