Orient Gate Hostel and Hotel

On a strict budget, Petra&Wadi Musa became my favourite destination ever, largely because of the Orient Gate staff and the other guests who stayed over in Feb 2017 xx. You can't expect luxury for so little money, but the hostel owner's and staff's way of hosting made all the difference. Be kind and show a little appreciation, and they'll give it right back, creating an unforgettable atmosphere in one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.

It's a simple, affordable hotel in a good spot for visiting Petra. The breakfast and dinner were amazing and plentiful, with really good prices compared with other places in Wadi Musa. Shabab was thoughtful about every request and need, and always had meals ready at the agreed time.

The place was run down and felt completely unsafe to us. We were two girls travelling together, and the owner wanted cash before even giving us the room key. The rooms were dirty, dusty, smelly, and the bathroom was truly nasty. There was no toilet paper or towels, and neither the room door nor bathroom door locked properly. Breakfast was poor, and I don't even want to think about the kitchen hygiene. It's cheap, but for a few JODs more you can find something at least decent in Petra.

Omar, the handyman, was the joyful part of the trip. He's a hilarious, funny Jordanian factotum who had us laughing so hard, and he also makes a good breakfast. Mohammed, the manager, helped us find a last minute desert trip and a cheap way to get to the airport early in the morning. We stayed 3 nights with two friends and came with an adventurous spirit, so the hotel was okay for us, though the building needs a lot of improvement. We had free wifi, hot water, and extra wool blankets, but no heating. The location is handy, close to what you need and 10-15 minutes on foot from Petra visitor center. I think Mohammed will improve the building and services, so hopefully future stays will be better than ours. “ENOJY MY FRIEND! WELCOME TO JORDAN! ENOJY, ENJOY!” as Omar says!