Amman Unique Hotel

The maintenance is the one thing that let the place down, and I hope the owners see this. A loose screw left the shower head only half functional, so I had to hold it in one hand instead of being able to shower hands-free. This kind of problem happens in Thai hotels; maids can’t do the repairs, and then things get worse. Screws loosen through normal daily use, but if nobody deals with them, the whole assembly could break and cost much more to repair. Housekeeping staff should be trained to spot and report small unusual problems to the in-house specialists, such as plumbers, painters, gardeners and repairmen. The WiFi was “bursty” at best, occasionally reaching a high of 5Mb. That said, Amman is a five-star hotel among Thailand’s top-notch places. Its architecture and interior design rival the best conservative designs, with a timeless feel and quiet comfort. The meeting-room windows and the impressive five-floor-high drapes are good examples. Details are thoughtfully handled, from the firm but comfortable mattress to the sloped shower tiles. If this hotel were in Bangkok or a seaside or island resort, I think it would be worth 4-5 times its current rate.

We booked at the last minute, and at $150 a night I’m not sure it was worth it. It was pretty quiet, and there’s a balcony shower/bath if you like bathing outside. The bed was quite firm but not too uncomfortable. The air conditioning was top notch. My wife couldn’t get the hot water working and had a cold shower, but I eventually got it going after playing around with it for a while.

The lounge was a comfortable place to sit, and I had a good iced Americano from the coffee shop between the restaurant and lobby. The decor has a lovely Turkish style, as the photos here show, and the staff were friendly and quick even with the place buzzing with people taking selfies. Parking seemed adequate, though I imagine they have extra space for big events. I haven't stayed at the hotel, and the restaurant was full when I arrived for Saturday lunch, so I couldn't get a table. I'll come back to eat and update this review. You don't need to be a hotel guest to stop by for a drink or meal.

The lobby draws people in for drinks and photos, but my room's view wasn't much to look at. The place was clean, service was good, and there was a 7/11 about four minutes away. Still, the location felt isolated, so I needed a taxi to get anywhere else. Food and drinks were overpriced, and the stay itself was pricey. My biggest issue was how unfriendly they were toward guests bringing someone along, even a girlfriend. Reception checks around the clock, so I didn't feel secure about that.