Small, cozy and clean Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * is located not too far from the Red Sea coast, and at the same time, close to the center of the Jordanian city of Aqaba. This country is just starting to work with Russian tourists, so we tried to consider in this article the option of a short pastime or budget vacation.
Aqaba
It is a small Jordanian city with a population of only nine thousand. There are about thirty hotels here. On the other hand, it is the only port in the country where transit tourists from Egypt often arrive. Many of them choose the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * for a night or two. In addition, Aqaba can be considered an alternative to Egypt. It has a wonderful microclimate, and the surrounding mountains influence the prevailing wind rose so that you can swim and sunbathe in this resort both in summer and winter. Unless in July and August, terrifying heat sets in. They move around the city by taxi or minibuses that go from the center to the sleeping areas and vice versa. Stop on demand, that is, where you say. From ancient sights, you can explore the medieval fortress near the promenade, as well as visit the archaeological site on the hill of Tel al-Khalifa.
How to get nearby
The hotel is a stand-alone six-story building. The airport is not far from the hotel - if you arrive directly to Aqaba. Get a transfer no more than a quarter of an hour. Comfortable Jett buses go from Amman to Aqaba. The road takes about four hours. Near the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * (Jordan, Aqaba) everything is within walking distance, because the hotel is practically in the very center of the city. Nearby are the main streets of Aqaba, and if any holidays or parades are held, everything is perfectly visible from the balcony of the hotel. Around the corner on weekends, fairs are held where you can buy cheap souvenirs. It is not far from the market, to the main shops (Dream Mall, Karfur supermarket), and to the bus station. A block from the hotel is the embankment leading to the old fortress. There are also illuminated musical fountains, a public garden, McDonald's with a good game complex for children, and also a duty-free store. Around the hotel there is a small parking space.
Guests resettlement
Rooms at Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * are functional and comfortable. There are more than fifty of them in the hotel. They are so spacious that tourists call them huge. The rooms are decorated in two colors - white and burgundy. Air conditioning, satellite TV, a small refrigerator, a bathroom with a shower - so, in a few words you can describe the equipment of the guest rooms. The furniture is not new, but very practical. There are cosmetic and dining tables, as well as a safe. Cots are available upon request. In the hallway there is a wardrobe with glass doors., Hangers and a dressing table. Hot water is constantly thanks to the boiler. The bathroom has a good hairdryer. Towels and bed linen are changed daily. They clean not only efficiently, but also quickly - they are controlled while guests have breakfast. All sockets in the room with light bulbs. In order to use electricity, you need an adapter, which can be taken for free at the reception. The hotel rooms are mainly single, double and triple, as well as family and semi-suites. Settled quickly, but officially estimated time - from three in the afternoon. Balconies and windows overlook Aqaba or the Red Sea. But keep in mind that the rooms from which you can contemplate the water surface are the hottest. It should also be noted that unmarried couples do not settle in hotel rooms. In order for you to live in the same room, you need to present the original certificate that you are officially associated with a partner.
Services for vacationers
In the lobby of the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * hotel there is an administration. Guests are welcome around the clock. There is also a luggage room where you can leave luggage. Internet access and photocopying of documents are available in the business center. The hotel offers car rental, laundry services and currency exchange. You can book an airport shuttle here. The hotel staff speaks English only (from foreign languages). The entire hotel, including the rooms, has free Wi-Fi. On the second floor there is a hairdresser, a beauty salon with a solarium and beauty treatments, laundry and dry cleaning.
Nutrition
The restaurant of the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * hotel (Aqaba) feeds guests in the morning and in the evening, or lodges them according to the concept "number plus breakfast". It is closed at lunchtime. The food is always fresh and tasty, although some guests call for some uniformity. Breakfast includes cheese (hard, cottage cheese and feta), vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), hummus, various olives, pita bread and toast bread, jams, scrambled eggs, juices, hot drinks, milk. Dinner usually consists of two to three kinds of salads, soups, fried fish, stews, baked chicken. A side dish is usually rice or potatoes. Always available Jordanian watermelons are very sweet, with a thin crust. There is also a snack bar in the lobby. At the local market, you can buy fruit, cheap and delicious cakes. A lot of pastry shops and coffee shops with delicious sweets. Great ice cream in different establishments with a large selection. In stores that are held by local Christians, you can buy good Jordanian wine. In the city center, there are plenty of local takeaway offers - this is hummus, and falafel, and shawarma. And not far from McDonald’s there is the best restaurant in Aqaba, which serves European food, but the prices are quite high.
Sea holiday
The beach, which is located near the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * (Jordan), is public, like most of the accessible coast of Aqaba. Citizens, as well as tourists from Iran and other Muslim countries, go here to relax. Accordingly, their women bathe in "burkini". Therefore, if you are bothered by the attention of the local population, you can go to Marina Plaza, a large tourist and shopping center near the hotel of the same name with an equipped coast. But if you like the local flavor, but resting on the nearest beach is completely safe. No one will even make comments to you. In addition, Jordanians are very friendly, and on the town beach you can smoke a hookah. In addition, a free shuttle to Tapo Bay runs from the bus station several times a day. There are many corals and great opportunities for diving. Water and the beach are everywhere very clean, but this is the Red Sea! Therefore, you must have with you the so-called "coral slippers" (for swimming). In Tala Bay you can use the hotel pools, which are located next to the beach. Sun beds and umbrellas are free there, but are often busy. Aqaba is a tidbit for diving enthusiasts. Here, as many as six centers of this underwater sport are open. Those who prefer to simply snorkel are best served with reefs, many of which are very close to the coast.
Excursions
Aqaba is quite far from the capital of the country, so a trip to Amman will be very tiring for guests at the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 *. The reviews claim that it is better to go to Jerash to look at the remains of Roman civilization, or to see one of the wonders of the world - the rock complex of the Arabian Bedouins Petra. A very interesting excursion to the place of the baptism of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River and other holy places. You can also visit the Main Hot Springs hot springs and the amazing Wadi Rum Canyon - a favorite place for those who enjoy trekking. In general, the southern regions of Jordan, namely the deserts that are located near Aqaba, are amazingly beautiful. But any excursion will take you at least nine hours, so know that this time will have to be taken away from a sea holiday.
What to bring
From a shopping perspective, Aqaba stands apart from the rest of Jordan. It is considered a duty-free zone, and therefore it is not too expensive to buy alcohol and cigarettes, which is what guests at the Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * use. In addition, from Aqaba you can bring a good hookah, coffee, spices, olive oil, spices. Jewelry here is more expensive than in Amman, so tourists do not recommend buying them. When exporting food from Jordan, you need to pack in vacuum bags so that all this luxury is not confiscated at the airport. Textiles with ethnic motifs are also good, especially women's clothing and headscarves. It is interesting that traditional Jordanian embroidery is extremely reminiscent of Western Ukrainian, which confuses many ethnographers.
Raed Suites Hotel Aqaba 3 * (Aqaba): reviews
This is a typical Jordanian city hotel with good soundproofing. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They respond positively to any request. For example, if you take the half board system and are late for dinner, they will bring it directly to your room. There are few Russians, guests are mainly Europeans and local residents. Comfortable beds. Most tourists praise this hotel for its convenient location in relation to the beach and the center, for the not too high price for accommodation and excellent service, and also recommend it to others.