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The Cranley Report®: Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel
Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel, Jordan
Hotel Address
Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel
P.O. Box 184
Wadi Mousa
71811 Petra
Jordan
Contact Details
Telephone: +962 3 215 7111
Fax: +962 3 215 7209
E-mail
Email hotel's reservation Desk
Cranley Rating

Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel: Click to magnify
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Hotel Summary
Category Hotel
Hotel Opened
 2001
Refurbishment The Arabella and Ayla Meeting Rooms were being refurbished in February 2008
Cranley Summary
The Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel is a 10 minute drive from Petra and the entrance to the historic site, which was built by the Nabateans. It is situated in a breathtaking position on the edge of mountainous desert terrain and is surrounded by hills of rust coloured sandstone with an outstanding view over the Great Rift Valley. The 90 spacious rooms and suites are decorated and furnished to a high standard and there is beautiful architecture throughout the lobby area, the restaurant, lounges and bars. The Moevenpick Nabatean Castle offers its guests a tranquil environment in which to enjoy what Petra has to offer. The hotel's Al Madafa Restaurant serves International and Arabic cuisine and the Al Nadeem Bar and Terrace on the 4th floor, is an ideal place to have a drink and watch the spectacular sunset. The hotel has a Business Centre and conference facilities, with the Arabella Meeting Room. The Arabella shares an outside terrace with the leisure facilities of an indoor heated pool and a small gym. This means that delegates have use of those facilities as part of their conference if they wish.
Location & Layout
Location Description
The Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel is located ten minutes from the entrance to the historic 2,000 year old site of the city of Petra and is situated on a hillside, at an altitude of 1,400 metres with spectacular views over the Great Rift Valley. Petra offers its visitors a variety of historical, archaeological and religious sites to visit and Dana's Nature Reserve is within an hour's drive. The hotel is approximately 200 kilometres from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and 110 kilometres from King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba.
Airports
Distance
 110 km
Airport Transfers
 The hotel will arrange Taxi transfers and car hire through an agent.
Cities and Sights
Distance
 81 km
City/Sight Transfers
 The hotel will arrange taxi transfers and car hire through an agent.
Layout Description
At a level of 1,400 metres, the castle style hotel sits on its own looking out over the Great Rift Valley. Spread over seven floors, the main entrance into the Atrium style Lobby and Reception Area is on the 4th floor. The Al Hikmah Library, Nadeem Bar & Terrace and some guest rooms are located on this level. Also on level 4, a covered bridge leads to a large outside viewing area. The other guest rooms are located on the remaining five floors. The Al Madafa Restaurant is situated on the 3rd floor and the Swimming Pool, Gym and Meeting Room are all located on the lowest floor in the hotel - Floor 0.
Lobby and Guest Relations
Open Hours
 24 Hours
Languages Spoken English, Arabic and other languages are spoken
Payment Methods All major international credit cards and cash are accepted
Foreign Exchange Open 24 Hours - all major currencies are exchanged
Taxis Arranged Arranged on request
Tours Arranged The hotel uses a travel agent to arrange all tours
Guest Relations Standard Services
Concierge Services
 Standard Services
Medical Facilities A doctor is on call 24 hours a day with a typical response time of approximately 20 minutes according to the Hotel. The hospital located in downtown Petra is approximately ten minutes drive.
Parking The hotel has complimentary undercover parking for 50 cars
Cranley Comment
Guests enter the hotel through sliding glass doors onto the 4th Floor which is lobby level. There is a small fountain straight ahead and the reception desk is to the left. It is a large atrium lobby, with a huge, very unusual, conical shaped chandelier hanging down from the ceiling. The walls are in a neutral colour and there is castle like cladding on some of the walls. The whole area has a marble tiled floor. Opposite the reception desk is a seating area with sofas and a number of chairs. Beyond the reception desk are the two lifts that serve floors 3 to 7 and the guest rooms there. The library, the bar and terrace are all to be found on the 4th floor.
Shops & Amenities
Cranley Comment
The Moevenpick Nabatean Castle has no on-site shops. The nearest shopping area is a ten minute drive into downtown Petra where banks, supermarkets and shops can all be found.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 6
Total Rooms 90
Elevators 3
Rooms per Elevator 30
Total Staff 90
Staff per Room 1
Check-in Time 15:00
Check-out Time 12:00
Late Checkout Late check-out is subject to availability.
Smoking Rooms 50
Room Service Breakfast Menu 06:00 to 11:00
All Day Menu 11:00 to 23:00
Laundry Service Regular Service collection before 09:00 will be returned the same day.
Express Service is available between 08:00 to 17:00 and will be returned within 5 hours. This service is subject to a surcharge of 50%.
A Dry Cleaning Service is also available.
Unique Features Bathrooms at the hotel have an unusual design in that there is a wall at head height running all the way round the bathroom above the washbasin, bath and toilet. Above each wall, there is a cut out section that is intended to make it look like a castle window. The wall is quite low and tall guests should mind their
heads when using these facilities.
Cranley Comment
Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel Petra, offers two room types. The majority of the 92 rooms are Standard rooms with twin double sized beds and good facilities, including a small balcony. Most of the Standard rooms look towards the Rift Valley and benefit from being able to see a spectacular sunset most days. Each of the 8 Executive Suites is more than twice the size of the Standard rooms. The corridors leading to the guest bedrooms on floors 5 and 6 are quite impressive, as they have a balcony that overlooks the inner atrium lobby and they are decorated with Arabian rugs and carved wooden panelling.
Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Standard Room 82

Mountain

Individually controlled air conditioning and heating system
Colour TV
Direct dial phone
Workdesk with lamp
Minibar
Twin double sized beds
Wardrobes
Complimentary slippers
Hairdryer in the bathroom
Bathroom Amenities
Half size bathtub with fixed shower over.
WC

 2 Adults 30
Cranley Comment
The rooms are approached along brightly lit carpeted corridors, decorated with carved wooden slatted panelling and deep rich coloured Arabian Rugs draped from the walls. The rooms are bright, airy and decorated in earth and pastel shades. All Standard Rooms have twin double beds and benefit from plenty of cupboard space, work desk, small sitting area, TV and Internet access (This facility was unavailable at the time of the review in February 2008.) Most rooms have a balcony with views over the mountains of the Great Rift Valley. The bathrooms have a half bath, with a shower head fixed to the wall. Note the hazard shown under 'Unique Features.'
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Executive Suite 8

Mountain

As for the Standard room, with the additional benefit of:
A separate bedroom containing a King size bed
Sofa and armchairs in the lounge area
A dining table and 4 chairs
Use of towelling bathrobes

 2 Adults 60-75
Cranley Comment
The Suites are situated on a number of floor levels and are approached along the Arabian styled corridors overlooking the magnificent marbled Inner Atrium Lobby. On entering the Executive Suite, there is a separate lounge area decorated in pastel and earth shades. The lounge area has a sofa, two armchairs, a coffee table, dining table and chairs, a desk area, a TV and internet access (facility unavailable at the time of this review in February 2008.) All Executive Suite bedrooms have King Beds and walk-in dressing rooms with cupboards and dressing table. Most suites boast large furnished balconies, offering views over the mountains of the Great Rift Valley. The bathrooms, which are small for the size of the suites, have a half bath, with a shower head fixed to the wall. Note the hazard shown under 'Unique Features.'
Restaurants & Cafés
  Al Madafa Restaurant and Terrace  
     
Restaurant Type International
Restaurant Capacity Total 230 (of which 180 inside & 50 outside)
Opening Times Breakfast 06:00 to 10:30
Lunch 12:00 to 16:00
Dinner 18:30 to 23:30
Dress Codes Smart casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Designated smoking area inside
Smoking allowed on the Terrace
Children’s Facilities High Chairs available
Children's menu available
Breakfast Options Moevenpick breakfast buffet is served daily in the Al Madafa Restaurant
Cranley Comment
The Al Madafa Restaurant and Terrace is located on the 3rd floor, one down from the lobby level. The restaurant has an atrium adorned with wood carvings and is the focal point for buffet displays. There are a few tables in this section which overlook the terrace through the large floor to ceiling windows and doors. The buffet, which changes daily, features a good selection of hot and cold international dishes, with meat, fish and vegetarian options. The main restaurant areas are on either side of the atrium and laid out in an L shape. The restaurant's large terrace, has seating for 50 people, where they can enjoy views over the Great Rift Valley.
Bars
Number of Bars
 1
  Al Nadeem Bar and Terrace  
     
Bar Type Arabian Style Bar
Bar Capacity Total 80 (of which 20 inside & 60 outside)
Opening Times 10:00 to 00:00
Dress Codes Smart casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Designated smoking area inside
Smoking allowed on the Terrace
Admissions Policy Children allowed outside
Cranley Comment
Al Nadeem Bar features a 29 metre long terrace with breathtaking views over the Great Rift Valley and the opportunity to enjoy Petra's wonderful sunsets. Inside, the Arabian Style Bar area is carved in dark wood and has tall chairs to sit and drink at the Bar. The other areas are decorated with comfortable arabesque carved chairs with rich coloured cushions, tables and walls adorned with wood carvings. Large glass doors lead out onto the Terrace.
Business & Event Facilities
Wireless Internet Chargeable wireless high-speed internet access is available in all rooms and throughout the hotel and grounds.
In-Room Services Chargeable wireless internet access
Electrical socket for laptop
Lamp
Desk and chair
Business Centre
Business Centre 4th Floor
10:00 to 22:00
Personal Computers x 2
Secretarial services
Photocopying
Facsimile
Wireless High-Speed Internet Access
Meetings & Events
Moevenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel offers Banqueting and Conferencing facilities

The Arabella Meeting Room is reached by direct access from the hotel's car parking area.
200 sqm with a ceiling height of 3 metres. Largest capacity is 250, 120 for a banquet, 40 boardroom style, 100 classroom style and 200 theatre style.

The latest state of the art audio visual equipment can be arranged upon request.

The Ayla Meeting Room is located on the 4th Floor and is a small meeting room for 10 people. 44 sqm, with a ceiling height of 2.5 metres. Maximum capacity is 40, 16 for a Banquet, 12 Boardroom style, 24 Classroom style, 12 U-Shaped and 36 Theatre style.

Audio visual equipment can be arranged on request.

Catering for any function can be arranged on request.
Cranley Comment
The Arabella is an elegant Meeting Room with marble flooring, Gothic pillars and natural light from a glass roof. It is both well ventilated and well lit. For business functions and incentive trips, the Meet and Dine programme ensures all individual requirements are met. For small business meetings the Ayla Meeting Room is an ideal comfortable bright venue. Note that none of these facilities were available at the time of this review in February 2008, due to refurbishment.
Children’s Facilities & Clubs
Restaurant Facilities See Restaurants
   
Games Room The Fun Factory is located on the 4th Floor and has games and toys for younger children.
Babysitting service
A chargeable babysitting service can be arranged by the housekeeping department at 12 hours prior notice.
Cranley Comment
The Nabatean Castle Hotel has very limited facilities for children. It is not ideally suited for children under the age of 12, though they are welcome at the hotel and a special children's menu is available. The Fun Factory offers children's games and toys but there is very little entertainment for younger children at this hotel. Any child under the age of 12 has to be accompanied by an adult at the swimming pool.

Note that the Fun Factory was not available at the time of this review in February 2008.