Jabal Amman Hotel (Heritage House)

You can actually see the citadel from the hotel rooms. It’s on Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, near downtown and the Roman Theater, and is one of the nicest hotels in Amman. Highly recommended.

The bathrooms need a full renovation. They’re very cramped, and shower water ends up all over the floor. The rooms also smelled a bit, even though they were listed as non-smoking, and the hotel is clearly dated. Our safe wouldn’t lock and was hard to reach on a high shelf. Still, after a day or so, the good points started to outweigh the negatives. It’s just off busy Rainbow Street, on a quiet stretch with lots of restaurants and bars nearby. The staff were helpful, and it was easier to communicate with the day manager. We booked a few day trip taxis through them and felt safe doing that. The room had universal outlets that were easy to reach, plus a small kitchenette with a fridge, stove, microwave, kettle, and dishes. We arrived at 3 a.m. after a long flight, and at first I was tired, uncomfortable, and couldn’t communicate with the night guard, so I didn’t expect to rate the hotel 4/5. Breakfast could have been better, though after a few stays in Jordan, I’ve found this is just what breakfast tends to be like. This hotel did have more packaged items you could take along. It’s fine for a few nights, but I probably wouldn’t recommend a longer stay.

The Night Manager was the one real bright spot. He was professional and helped us a lot after someone drove into our car in the middle of the night. It had been parked by a hotel valet when we checked in. The buffet breakfast was okay, but the building and rooms feel very old and worn. Our room faced a rooftop bar, and music went on until 1 a.m., so ask for a room on the other side if you stay. The main stairwell, which we had to climb every day to leave, felt like mountain climbing. Rainbow Street is mostly gift shops, so I don’t think you need to stay there; look farther afield for better deals.

Parking is available on the premises, and the price was very good for the value. The room was clean and surprisingly spacious for such a busy street. You’re in the city center, close to Rainbow Street, with plenty of shops and restaurants at night. It seems to be where the younger crowd gathers around dusk. The soundproofing wasn’t great. People in neighboring rooms talked in the hallway and slammed doors in the middle of the night. The building is old and the doors are thin, so it’s understandable. Our towels were clean, but looked well used, grayish, and thin.