Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba 

This resort is spacious, central and great for family beach holidays by the Red Sea.

This classic Arabic resort is one of our favourites for a chilled-out family holiday in Jordan. Its private beach is a golden seat right by the Red Sea’s warm waters, with sun loungers and cute thatched umbrellas to sunbathe or watch the sun go down. In the summer months, grilled seafood is served up to ocean views at the Red Sea Grill – a must-do for date nights while the kids are busy at the popular kids’ club which puts on a mini disco in the evenings.

The hotel is in central Aqaba so you can have a wander around the modest city’s castles or try one of the local restaurants for dishes like kofta and fattoush salad. Just 15 minutes’ drive south takes you to Jordan’s best snorkelling and diving sites if you want to see the Red Sea’s rainbow of underwater life, though most guests love this resort because it’s spacious enough to find a comfortable spot of your own to get lost in a holiday read and soak up some vitamin D. The main pool is a hit with kids as they cool off on summer days – it flows under a bridge where there’s also a cosy Jacuzzi for two – and there’s an animation team keeping guests entertained with volleyball, yoga and zumba classes. Breakfast is the kind of generous buffet that beach holidays are made of, there’s belly dancing and live entertainment at Abu Nawwas Fun Pub and wherever you are in-resort, you’re never too far from some mouth-watering Mövenpick ice cream.

Rooms and apartments are clean and modern with hints of traditional character and super comfortable beds. We recommend upgrading to a Deluxe Room with Sea Views which have a private balcony for sitting out on. Family Rooms have mountain views and are well-sized for a young family of four; Residences are best for older or larger families – these apartments come with one, two or three bedrooms and have a kitchenette plus extra living space.