About Aqaba
Recently we have been to Aqaba a couple of times, as the Airport is still closed but curfew was lifted a bit and travel between governorates is possible. Aqaba is in the South of Jordan, directly at the Red Sea. It is about a 4-hours drive from Amman. You can also reach it via the King Hussein Airport in Aqaba. When staying in Aqaba you usually have two options. Either you stay in Aqaba City or in Tala Bay a bit further South. Several times we stayed at the Movenpick Resort & Residences and were very satisfied.
The Rooms and Facilities at Movenpick Aqaba
The Movenpick Resort & Residences is located in Aqaba City. Movenpick also operates another resort in Aqaba Tala Bay and Hotels in Amman, Petra and the Dead Sea in Jordan. You also have the option of staying in an Airbnb within the Residences in Aqaba City. This is ideal for families with children, who want access to the beach and the pool, while staying in a fully equipped apartment.
First, the hotel has everything you expect from a 5-star hotel. The main building with the lobby, hotel rooms, meeting rooms, breakfast hall, lounge is located at the street near to the beach. The residences and pool landscape can be accessed via a bridge over the road. That way you can walk safely to the beach without having to cross a street. There are several two large pools with different depth and an additional one on the bridge. On the bridge and near the other pools, you also find a Jacuzzi. The hotel also has a gym, a souvenir shop and provides a shuttle to the Spa within the Tala Bay Resort.
Family-friendly Amenities
The hotel is very family friendly. You can opt for a family room that has a living room with extra bed and/or ask for a baby cot for the little ones. The main restaurant has kids chairs and there is a playground next to the baby pool as well as on the beach. A babysitter service is available upon request and there is also a kids club with activities depending on the season. Finally, the staff is very friendly and attentive at all times and sometimes surprised us with their great towel folding techniques.
Food and Restaurants at Movenpick Aqaba City
The Movenpick Aqaba City has a large buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Several nights a week they host special themes and there is live entertainment with music and a belly dancer on the Palm Court Terrace. Next to the courtyard there is the Bakery Shop Café & Terrace. You can have breakfast there and buy fresh baked bread and cake daily from 8 am to 11 pm.
At the pool you can find the Al-Shatt Restaurant. You can enjoy some snacks, drinks as well as Shisha. We had a great salad and burgers there. Depending on your choice, you can sit inside or right at the beach front. Above the pool restaurant there is the Red Sea Grill, one of Aqaba’s best Fine Dining Spots. We had a wonderful dinner with a mixed Seafood grill plate and an awesome fish baked in a salt-crust, an absolute must-try, when you go. The restaurant has a wonderful view over the Red Sea and serves excellent seafood and grilled food in all its varieties.
The Nafoura Lounge offers drinks around the clock. Certain afternoons you can enjoy coffee or a teatime with live piano music. It was a nice relaxing experience.
Movenpick Resort Tala Bay
One afternoon we decided to drive to the Movenpick in Tala Bay. The resort is bigger and has a wonderful pool landscape that I am sure, families will enjoy. Also, there some slides and an adult only pool. Of course, the hotel is right beside the Sea and you can watch beautiful sunsets by the Red Sea.
