Amman's Most Lavish Villa: Your Jordanian Palace Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the opulent, the extravagant, the… okay, let's just say "Amman's Most Lavish Villa: Your Jordanian Palace Awaits!" Whew. That's a mouthful. Let's break it down, shall we? Forget the dry, corporate blah-blah. I'm going to give you the REAL deal, the kind of review that will make you laugh, cringe, and then, maybe, just maybe reach for your credit card.
(Warning: May contain enthusiastic rambling and a healthy dose of my personal opinions.)
First Impressions & Accessibility (or lack thereof, unfortunately):
Right, so, picture this: you've just landed in Amman, dusty and jet-lagged. You're dreaming of slipping into something silky, preferably while a small army of people caters to your every whim. The "Palace" delivers… mostly. The exterior? Stunning. Seriously, the architecture is impressive. Now, the accessibility situation… well, let's just say this isn't the most wheelchair-friendly place on Earth. They mention "Facilities for disabled guests," but from what I saw… it's more of a "promise" than a reality. (Accessibility: 5/10 because… well, it's Jordan. And sometimes, these older places aren't built for all bodies. Major improvement areas!)
Navigating the Palace Grounds (and My Increasing Desire for a Nap):
Inside, it's… a lot. Think marble, chandeliers, and enough gold leaf to bankrupt a small country. Getting around is a workout in itself. There's an elevator, thankfully, but good luck navigating the labyrinthine corridors when you're half-asleep. (Pro tip: Pack a map, or better yet, hire a sherpa.)
Let's Talk Wi-Fi, Because, You Know, The Modern World:
Internet Access – Wireless (Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!): Praise the heavens and all the gods! The Wi-Fi is actually decent! And it's free! That's a huge win. I mean, can you imagine being stranded in luxury with a dial-up connection? The horror!
Internet [LAN]: Okay, for the die-hard LAN lovers (are there any left?), there's even a wired option. I didn't test it, because let's be real, who still uses Ethernet cables? But hey, the option's there!
Internet Services: This is where they REALLY shine. They have everything. More on this later.
The Spa: My Personal Utopia, and the Reason My Credit Card Wept:
Okay, now we're talking. The spa. Oh. My. Goodness. This is where the "Palace" actually feels like a palace.
- Body Scrub: Yes, please! It was pure indulgence. They buff you, scrub you, and generally make you feel like a pampered princess. (Or prince, no judging here.)
- Body Wrap: After the scrub, the wrap. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I swear, I almost fell asleep and the aroma of essential oils was to die for!
- Fitness Center & Gym/fitness: Surprisingly well-equipped. I, however, spent most of my time at the spa.
- Foot Bath: A delightful little bonus. Your weary toes will thank you.
- Massage: The massages were divine. I think I could have stayed there forever!
- Pool with View & Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Stunning. The pool is gorgeous, and the view across the city is breathtaking, especially at sunset. Worth every single dinar.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: The whole shebang! They really thought of everything.
The Dining Dilemma: Michelin Star Aspirations vs. Actual Execution (and My Growing Waistline):
Okay, food time. This is where things get… complicated.
- Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants!: They have multiple restaurants! Good for variety.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Options are great.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Coffee! And tea! Always a winner.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: I love Asian food, but this did not deliver.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Breakfast takeaway service: The breakfast was… okay. A bit generic.
- Bar, Poolside bar & Happy hour: The bar is decent, the cocktails are good.
- Desserts in restaurant: Desserts were a highlight. I almost regretted them, but they were worth it.
- Room service [24-hour]: Crucial. Especially when you're in full-on vacation mode and can't face getting dressed.
- Soup in restaurant & Salad in restaurant: They had soup and salad.
- Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: They have several options.
Here's the REAL problem: Some of the food was amazing. Some of it was… not. It’s like they're trying for Michelin star, but they're not quite there yet. (Dining: 7/10 - Lots of options, some hits, some misses.)
Cleanliness & Safety: Because Let's Be Real, We Need This Right Now:
- Anti-viral cleaning products & Daily disinfection in common areas: Seriously reassuring. I appreciated this.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Fine.
- First aid kit & Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind, always nice to have.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yup. All good.
- Safely setup: Really.
- Hygiene certification: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Double check.
- Safe dining setup & Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Excellent!
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (and my review-writing job harder):
- Air conditioning in public area & Air conditioning: Crucial. It's hot in Jordan!
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Seminars: They're catering to the business crowd too.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Concierge, & Doorman: Excellent, excellent, excellent.
- Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Super convenient!
- Elevator: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: as mentioned, a promise.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Gotta get those souvenirs!
- Luggage storage: Helpful.
- Outdoor venue for special events: They can do events!
- Projector/LED display, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Wi-Fi for special events: If you are hosting an event!
- Safety deposit boxes, Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: Safety is paramount.
- Terrace: Nice to have.
- Taxi service, Airport transfer, Valet parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Getting around.
- Contactless check-in/out & Check-in/out [express]: Easy.
- Convenience store: Useful.
- Invoice provided: For business people.
- Smoking area: If you smoke.
- Smoking area: If you smoke.
For the Kids: Yay or Nay?
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They say they're family-friendly, but honestly, I didn't see a ton of kid-centric stuff. Might depend on the season/what's going on. (For the Kids: 6/10 - Fine, but not a dedicated family resort.)
The Rooms: Where I Spent the Most Time (And, You Know, Slept):
The rooms? Let's just say they live up to the "lavish" part of the name.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens:
More specifically:
- The Good: Comfortable beds, plush robes and slippers (yes!), great views (depending on your room), and all the amenities you
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary ain't gonna be your sterile, Pinterest-perfect trip plan. This is… me in Jordan, and it's gonna be a rollercoaster. Prepare for some side-eyes, some "Oh my Gods!", and a whole lotta me just winging it.
Lavish Villa Amman: A Messy Love Letter (Day 1-2)
Day 1: Arrival & Amman Ambush
Morning (like, 10 AM? Ish?): Landed in Amman. The airport? Surprisingly…modern. (Don't tell anyone I said that.) Found my driver, a guy named Omar who looked WAY too young to be ferrying a notoriously directionally-challenged, jet-lagged tourist. He greeted me with a smile that felt genuine, not like, "I want your tip" genuine. Score! The drive to the villa? A blur of dusty hills and buildings that felt like they'd been baked under a giant, unforgiving sun. My first thought? "Wow… This is… different." My second? "Where’s the Starbucks? (Kidding! Mostly.)"
Afternoon (The Villa Unveiled & Panic Attack Number One): Checked into the villa. Lavish, they said. And they weren't kidding. Marble floors, a pool that made my jaw drop, and a view overlooking, supposedly, the whole city. "Am I worthy?" I whispered, seriously wondering if I accidentally wandered onto a movie set. The sheer size of the place sent a jolt of anxiety right through me. Like, who cleans this?! (Turns out, thankfully, someone else does. Phew.)
- Side Quest: Tried (and failed) to figure out how to turn on the air conditioning. Sweating, flailing, and muttering about the superiority of simple on/off switches. Eventually, a very patient housekeeper rescued me. Bless her.
Evening (Dinner, Debauchery & Deeper Panic): Dinner at a recommended place called "Hashem." This little hole-in-the-wall was a local institution, apparently. Felt like I was stepping into a foodie secret. The falafel? Unbelievable. Fluffy, flavorful, and everything I wanted. The chaos of the place, though, almost sent me spiraling. People were everywhere. Orders were being shouted. And everyone seemed to know exactly what to do… except me. I may have also accidentally ordered extra hummus. (Hey, don't judge me!) Back at the villa, I had some wine and stared into the pool, trying to process the day. My brain felt like scrambled eggs. "Is this real life?" I mumbled to myself before passing out, fully clothed, on the impossibly plush couch.
Day 2: Citadel & Souk Shenanigans (Plus, a Possible Existential Crisis)
Morning (The Ruins That Made Me Feel Tiny): Woke up, feeling vaguely human. Coffee, finally! And then, off to the Citadel. The Roman ruins? Absolutely mind-blowing. The scale of everything! The history! My brain was working overtime, trying to comprehend the sheer age of this place. At one point, I just stood there, staring at the columns, thinking about how many wars had been fought, how many people had lived and died, right here. I felt…insignificant. In a good way, sort of? (Or maybe it was just the jetlag kicking back in.)
Afternoon (Souk Adventure…and Near Meltdown): The souk. Oh, the souk. First off, it's a sensory overload. Colors! Smells! The aggressive, but strangely charming, bartering. I got lost, obviously. Twice. Got completely swarmed by a group of kids who wanted to practice their English. Which was actually adorable. Bought way too many spices, a scarf that probably clashes horribly with everything I own, and a tiny, ridiculously ornate coffee pot. My credit card may have wept a little.
- The Tea Incident: In the middle of the chaos, I stopped at a tiny tea shop. The owner, a wizened old man with eyes that seemed to see into your soul, made me the most delicious mint tea of my life. We tried to communicate through a mixture of broken English and frantic hand gestures. He told me, through a translator, that I needed to "slow down." He was right. I felt like I was bouncing off the walls. The tea calmed me. The sheer vulnerability of being in such a foreign and vibrant place… it both scared and thrilled me.
Evening (Food, Feelings, and a Possible Mid-Life Crisis): Dinner at a restaurant with a view of the illuminated Citadel. The food was gorgeous, the surroundings stunning… and I started to feel…empty. The day was over. I was in Jordan alone. Was I even enjoying myself? The waiter asked me if I was enjoying the food. I think I mumbled something incoherent. The reflection of the city in the glass made me feel so lonely. Perhaps I'm supposed to be doing more than just eating. I probably should have just stayed home with Netflix instead. Maybe I should have brought a friend. Or a therapist. Maybe I need a whole new life. Or, you know… another piece of baklava. Yeah. Baklava. That's the answer. Life, even in all its messy glory, is still sweet. My mood does a complete 180 degrees.
Day 3: More Food, More History (And Hopefully, Less Meltdown)
Morning: Decided to be brave. Tried to navigate the villa's kitchen. Managed to make coffee and a very sad-looking scrambled egg. Success!
Afternoon (Desert Safari!): Off to the desert! The scenery was breathtaking. The bedouins were incredibly generous, especially as I nearly fell out of the camel and had a moment of existential dread. The sunset was ridiculously gorgeous. There was live music, dancing, and an enormous amount of food and I laughed and laughed and ate until I nearly burst. The stars at night… that's the single most special thing I will experience in my life.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. I'm tired of the food. A big part of me wants to go home now. I think I need a massage.
I'm leaving out all the details from the itinerary because I am unsure, but I am not making travel arrangements. This is just my journey after all.
Luxury Studio in Kalibata City, Jakarta: Papilukas Room Gold 19 Awaits!
Okay, spill it. Is this Jordanian Palace REALLY as over-the-top as it sounds?
Listen, "over-the-top" doesn't even BEGIN to describe it. Think Liberace met Lawrence of Arabia and decided to throw a party in a Fabergé egg. I'm talking gold leaf EVERYWHERE. And I mean, *everywhere*. The toilets? Gilded. The light switches? Gilded. I swear, I saw a stray piece of gold dust floating away in the breeze and had a minor existential crisis wondering if I'd just inhaled a tiny, microscopic piece of the Taj Mahal of bathrooms. It definitely lives up to the hype...probably even surpasses it. Just brace yourself for the sheer, unapologetic *opulence*.
What kind of amenities are we talking about? Helicopter pad? Private zoo? Robot butlers?
Alright, alright, let's break this down because frankly, I was overwhelmed. Helicopter pad? Check. Did I *use* it? Nope. I was too busy trying to figure out which solid gold fork to use with my breakfast. Private zoo? Alas, no. Though I'm pretty sure the peacock population was enough to classify as a small wildlife refuge. And robot butlers? Sadly, no again. There were, however, actual, human butlers. More of them than I've ever had in my entire life. They were ridiculously polite, to the point where I felt guilty for asking them to fetch me a glass of water. I mean, they probably trained for years to perfect the art of silent servitude. And here I was, a slob, spilling hummus on the Persian rug. Ugh.
This place sounds expensive! What's actually included in the rental price?
Okay, so bracing yourself for the price tag is step one. Then, breathe. Deeply. Because, let's be honest, it's a lot. Included? EVERYTHING. Seriously, think of something luxurious, and it's there. Gourmet meals prepared by a chef who probably sculpted his own ingredients. Spa treatments that will leave you feeling like a melted ice cream cone (in a good way). And, let's not forget the staff. They weren't just *there*; they were like a well-oiled machine of impeccable service. Want something? *Poof*. It's done. Need a drink? *Poof*. It's there. I'm pretty sure I could have asked them to part the Red Sea, and they would have just looked at me and said, "At your service, madam." (Okay, maybe not, but you get the gist.) But honestly? The real included perk? That feeling of, just for a moment, being utterly and completely spoiled rotten. It's addictive. And I'm not ashamed to admit I kinda loved it.
Speaking of staff, what were *they* like? Did you feel awkward having so many people cater to your every whim?
Awkward? Yeah. Awkward is putting it mildly. It’s like, you're used to making your own coffee, and suddenly there's a dedicated barista staring at you, waiting for your precise blend of Ethiopian beans. I felt like a total peasant, honestly. I'm not used to this level of attention, which led to some seriously clumsy encounters. Once, I dropped a fork (a solid gold one, naturally) and nearly fainted from mortification before a butler could even REACT. They were all so incredibly professional, though. They anticipated your needs before you even *knew* you had them. It was simultaneously incredible and terrifying. Like living inside a really elaborate, very expensive dream. And, to be honest, by the end of the trip, I was almost, *almost* getting used to it. Don't judge me!
Okay, let's get real. Anything go *wrong*? Surely, even in a palace, something had to be… less than perfect.
Ugh. Yes. Okay, brace yourself for the great pool incident of '23. The pool. It was gorgeous. A shimmering oasis. Perfect for Instagram. Buuut… there was a rogue lizard. A tiny, skittish thing. And this lizard freaked. Me. OUT. I'm talking screaming, flailing, nearly diving headfirst into the *gilded* hot tub. The butler (bless his patient soul) calmly escorted the lizard to greener pastures. The problem? I'd already made a complete fool of myself. The embarrassment lingered for days. It was a stark reminder that even in a palace, you're still just you, a slightly neurotic human who's terrified of small reptiles. But look, it's the perfect anecdote, isn't it?
How did the food stack up? Was it all caviar and foie gras, or was there some actual Jordanian cuisine?
Oh, the food. Let's just say I gained five pounds in a weekend. It was…a journey. Yes, there was caviar. Yes, there was foie gras. And yes, it was all utterly delicious. But the real highlight? The Jordanian food. The chef (who, by the way, looked like a culinary god) outdid himself. The Mansaf? Unbelievable. The Maqluba? Heavenly. They really prioritized showcasing the local flavors, and it was a revelation. I think I practically inhaled the hummus. And the baklava? Don't even get me started. Pure, sticky, syrupy perfection. The only downside? My clothes no longer fit. But hey, I'll take a slightly tighter waistband in exchange for that culinary experience any day!
Is it worth the splurge? Considering it's, well, a fortune?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? (Pun intended, probably.) Honestly? It depends. If you're looking for a practical, fiscally responsible vacation? Absolutely not. Book a hostel. Take a bus. You'll be fine. But if you want to experience a level of luxury that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about comfort? If you want to feel like royalty, even just for a few days? If you want to indulge completely and utterly? Then... maybe. Just maybe. It’s an experience, a fantasy. And while the price tag is eye-watering, the memories… well, those are priceless. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Seriously, someone lend me some money!
Would you say this is a good trip for a family?
Hmm. A family? Depends on your family. Kids? Maybe. The pool is inviting, the grounds are huge for playing. But if your kids are the kind who are likely to fingerprint the priceless artwork or spill juice on the silk cushions? (Like *my* kids would, I'm just saying) Maybe not. It's so *pristine* and so... sophisticated. I'd be stressed the entire time, just picturing the chaos that *could* unfold. On the other hand, the staff are probably incredibly used to families and their unique brand of mayhem. A multi-generational trip with the right people? Definitely! I'd personally plan a luxurious getaway with my parentsSearch Hotel Guide
