Jordan's Out-of-This-World Hotel: Arena Space Experience!
Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to blast you off with a review of Jordan's Out-of-This-World Hotel: Arena Space Experience! And let me tell you, this ain't your grandma's Holiday Inn. This is an experience. And, like any good experience, it's got its cosmic highs and, uh, well, Earthly lows.
Let's Get Real: The Good, The Bad, and The Surprisingly Delicious Potato Salad (seriously, I'm still thinking about it).
First things first: Accessibility. Now, this is a biggie for me. You know, important for everyone. The website promised "Facilities for disabled guests," and I have to say, they delivered. Wheelchair accessible routes were well marked and easy to navigate – important because I can be a klutz even when I'm not trying to dodge a rogue space alien (more on that later). Elevators were plentiful (praise be!) and the hallways were wide enough to turn a lunar rover, which is reassuring. Didn’t see everything in detail, but what I did see looked very good!
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges? Yep, they had 'em, and good ones at that.
The Internet Situation: Warp Speed or Stuck in the Dial-Up Era?
Okay, let's talk Internet. Because what's a space adventure without the ability to, you know, post about it on Instagram? That Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! they boasted? Well, hallelujah! The Wi-Fi worked like a charm, which is a huge relief after a long travel. Internet [LAN] was also available, which is nice for the tech-savvy, and the Internet services were, generally, solid. Wi-Fi in public areas wasn't always as stellar, but hey, you're in space (or at least, pretending to be)!
Things to Do - And Believe Me, There's a Lot!
Ways to Relax? Oh, they've got you covered. This isn’t just a hotel; it’s a full-blown spa retreat masquerading as a spaceship. Spa/sauna? Check. Massage? Double check! (I had the best massage of my life there, a deep tissue that almost made me weep with joy. More on that later, oh, yes, it deserves its own paragraph!). Steamroom? You know it. Swimming pool [outdoor]? With a Pool with view, of course. I didn't get to fully try the Fitness center, I'm ashamed to admit, but I did sneak a peek. Looked decent. Then I went back for more Body scrub and Body wrap, no shame.
Food Glorious Food (and Potato Salad!)
Okay, let's talk Dining, drinking, and snacking. Buckle up. This is where it gets good. Now, I'm a foodie, through and through. And Jordan's Out-of-This-World Hotel? They knew how to feed a hungry space traveler. The Breakfast [buffet] (which, thankfully, was also an Asian breakfast and Western breakfast) was a masterpiece. Breakfast service? Excellent. Restaurants? Plural! Several to choose from, with offerings like Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and, yes, your basic Western cuisine in restaurant. I ate at the Vegetarian restaurant, because apparently, I'm on a health kick, and it was actually delicious. They even had A la carte in restaurant and Buffet in restaurant. Coffee/tea in restaurant flowing, that’s what matters. Poolside bar? Yep, with all the space-age cocktails my heart desired. Happy hour? You betcha! I especially enjoyed the Desserts in restaurant - oh, my, the desserts. And yes, I managed to hit up the Snack bar too.
But here's the kicker: THE POTATO SALAD. I know, I know, potato salad. But it was… transcendent. The perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and… well, just perfect. I literally asked the waiter where they got the recipe. It was that good. I kid you not! So, if you go, HUNT DOWN THE POTATO SALAD. You won’t regret it.
Cleanliness and Safety: Are You Really Safe in Space?
Let’s be real, safety is paramount and, especially in a hotel that's trying to give you a space-themed experience. Here’s where they actually do very well:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Phew! Good to know they are being used
- Cashless payment service: Handy and convenient.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Necessary.
- Hygiene certification: Yep.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They have it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Solid.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Check.
- Safe dining setup: Big check.
The Room: My Personal Capsule
Available in all rooms: This is just a list, but it's a good list. Blackout curtains were a godsend after those late nights exploring the Bar . Air conditioning… a must. The Bathtub was a nice touch (though I’m more of a Shower person). The bed? One of those Extra long bed deals. Needed it. I spent some time with the Desk, being all productive (ha!), the Hair dryer was, well, a hair dryer. The Refrigerator kept my drinks ice cold. The in-room Safe box was a good. Wake-up service worked like a charm. And, of course, the Wi-Fi [free] – crucial, as I mentioned.
Other conveniences: The Air conditioning in public area was a blessing. Concierge was super helpful (gave me some insider tips on the city). Daily housekeeping kept things spick and span. Elevator access was essential. Laundry service was a godsend. Safety deposit boxes were offered. The Terrace was a delight. The Doorman? Friendly and always there.
The Massage: A Cosmic Experience (Seriously)
Okay, I'm going to gush. The massage. The Massage. It was… otherworldly. It was the kind of massage that makes you forget your name, your worries, and possibly your entire existence. It was a Couple's room experience, and even though I was alone, I imagined myself on a nebula, or perhaps being massaged by actual space angels. The masseuse (bless her heart) was a magician. She coaxed out every knot, every ache, every little thing I didn't even realize was bothering me. It was worth the price of admission alone. Seriously. Book the massage. Do it.
Things That Could Be Improved (because, let’s be real, nothing’s perfect):
- The Car park [free of charge] was a bit of a mission to find (but eventually, a free car park is a good thing!).
- Room service [24-hour] took a little bit longer than I would have liked on a single occasion.
- I really wanted a ride on the Car power charging station.
- The Pets allowed unavailable can be a downside for furry travelers.
The Verdict: Blast Off or Crash Landing?
Overall? Blast off! Jordan’s Out-of-This-World Hotel: Arena Space Experience! is a unique, fun, and genuinely enjoyable hotel. It’s got some minor flaws, sure, but the good far outweighs the bad. The theming is impressive, the staff is friendly, the food is delicious (especially the potato salad!), and the massage… well, let's just say it's worth the trip to space alone.
My Honest Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (and that’s without the space angels).
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Ready to Book Your Interstellar Getaway? Here's a Deal That's Out of This World!
Special Offer: Space Cadet Package!
Book a stay at Jordan's Out-of-This-World Hotel: Arena Space Experience! and receive:
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're diving headfirst into the chaotic beauty that is… Arena Space Hotel, Jordan. This isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-perfect travelogue. This is real.
Arena Space Hotel: A Jordanian Odyssey (Hopefully with Oxygen)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (and Some Amazing Dates)
- 8:00 AM (ish) - Getting There is Half the Meltdown: Landed at Queen Alia International Airport. The flight was… well, let’s just say I spent a good portion of it contemplating the merits of becoming a hermit and living off instant ramen. My luggage, predictably, decided to take a scenic detour to Luxembourg. Great start. (Pro Tip: Pack a spare set of undies and your sanity in your carry-on. Trust me.)
- 9:30 AM: Taxy and First Breath of Amman: The airport was a riot of haggling and frantic hand gestures. Eventually, a charming (and slightly terrifying) taxi driver named Omar, who seemed convinced he was auditioning for a car chase movie, whisked me away towards the hotel and the majestic smell of smog.
- 10:30 AM: Check-In Chaos (and the Promise of Space): The Arena Space Hotel…well, it looks like space, or at least, a slightly retro futuristic vision of it. The lobby is shimmering silver and the staff… friendly. But the check-in process involved approximately seven forms, a lost stapler, and a frantic search for a working pen. By the time I got my key (the size of a small brick), I was ready for a lie down.
- 12:00 PM: Space-Themed Lunch (and a Revelation about Dates): The hotel restaurant. "The Nebula Diner" seemed a bit of a pretentious name, everything was space themed in the hotel, but I was HUNGRY. Food was OK, some sort of shawarma was surprisingly ok. But then… the dates. Jordan's dates. I'd never understood the hype. But these…oh, sweet, sticky, melt-in-your-mouth dates. Suddenly, I understood. I ate like ten. I might have to move here permanently for the dates alone. They were life-affirming.
- 2:00 PM: The Room (and My Inner Critic): My room (Pod 42, naturally) is… compact. Spotlessly clean. And the view? Phenomenal. I sat there for a good twenty minutes just staring at the cityscape. It’s a rush of new smells and sounds! Buildings look like they rise and fall. There's a different feel from the West. I was a little bit happy, a bit intimidated, a lot overwhelmed. My inner critic, bless her cotton socks, piped up with: “You're going to screw this up. You'll embarrass yourself. You'll get lost. You'll…” I told her to shut up. For now.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring Amman - The Citadel & Roman Theatre: Got a taxi to the Citadel. It was hot. Scorching. But the views! Unbelievable. And the Roman Theatre was… majestic. I mean, these Romans knew how to build. I swear, you could practically feel the ghosts of gladiators and screaming crowds. I stood there, feeling small and insignificant, but also strangely connected to something ancient and grand. The heat was actually a bit horrible and I wasn't carrying nearly enough water, so I left before I had an actual meltdown.
- 5:00 PM: Souk Scares and Spice Overload: Wandered into the souk. It was a sensory overload. Smells of spices (cinnamon! cardamom! magic!), vendors yelling, people everywhere. I almost bought a rug (a very shiny one), but then remembered I have zero space for a rug. The spices, though… I bought enough to perfume my suitcase for the next decade. I'm pretty sure I now smell like Christmas meets a Bedouin tent.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner Debacle - The Wrong Restaurant & The Search for Falafel: Decided to be adventurous and find a local restaurant recommended on some travel blog (which I should now know better to trust). I got lost. Miserably so, in a maze of narrow streets. Ended up in a place that looked promising from the outside, but served something I tentatively called "mystery meat" and a side of confusion. Ended up giving up and craving the only thing I could depend on, so I went hunting for a falafel, which ended up being my savior, a crunchy, green, delicious savior, eaten in a tiny side street as the orange of sunset dripped onto the ancient city.
- 9:00 PM: The Space Themed Bar (and Some Unexpected Connection): Back to the hotel to escape the evening heat. Went to the space-themed bar. It was… well, it was themed. The drinks were overpriced, they had neon lights. I met a woman from Germany who was also traveling solo. We ended up chatting for hours about everything and nothing, the struggles of the job market and the joys of cats. It was a lovely, unexpected connection. And I finally felt a little bit less alone.
Day 2: Petra… Or Bust (and a Serious Case of Wanderlust)
- 6:00 AM: The Alarm (aka the sound of impending doom): Petra. The only reason I was even in Jordan. I'd booked a day trip, which meant an ungodly early wake-up call. I hate early wake-up calls.
- 7:00 AM: The Bus to Petra (and the Battle for Sleep): The bus ride was… well, it was a bus ride. A bumpy, slightly smelly, filled-with-snoring-strangers bus ride. I managed to doze for about 45 minutes, which is a small miracle.
- 9:30 AM: Petra - The Jaw-Dropping, Soul-Crushing Beauty: Okay, Petra. Holy. Freaking. Moly. The Siq (the narrow gorge leading to the Treasury) was breathtaking. The colors! The rock formations! The sheer audacity of it all! And then… the Treasury. I mean, you've seen the photos, but they do not do it justice. I stood there, mouth agape, feeling like I'd stepped into a movie (or, in my case, Indiana Jones). I could practically hear the whip cracks and the horse hooves. I was SO overwhelmed, and just stood there, dumbfounded, it was a spiritual experience.
- 10:30 AM: The Walking, The Hiking, The Sweat: After the Treasury, I continued to walk and hike. And walk. And hike. And sweat. A lot. Petra is huge. I felt like I walked the entire place. I was exhausted, covered in dust, and my feet were starting to scream. It was hard. The heat was brutal. But that view, that magic, kept me going.
- 1:30 PM: The Treasury (Again): Doubled down on the experience. Went back. Got a different angle. Linger longer. Sat in the shade. Took it all in, again. Watched people. Watched the sun. Felt the stones. Wondered about the people. Saw the stories. The carvings, the color, the way it just sits in the desert, and is simply perfect. This time, it felt different. I felt a huge shift inside me. It changed my life, in a way.
- 3:00 PM: The Climb to the Monastery (and a Near-Death Experience): Decided… against my better judgment, to hike to the Monastery. This involved approximately 800 steps (I lost count after 500). My legs were screaming. I was sweating like a pig. I considered turning back approximately 100 times. But then, I got to the top. And the view… was even more breathtaking than the Treasury. The Monastery is massive. And quiet. And beautiful. I did, genuinely, consider that the best part of my life. This place will never leave my memory. Never ever. It’s engraved now.
- 4:00 PM: The Descent (and the Triumph of Pain): The way down was even more brutal than the way up. My knees were screaming. I was hobbling. But I made it. I survived. And I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. And then I ate another date.
- 7:00 PM: On the Bus Back (in Silence): The bus ride back was silent. Everyone was utterly exhausted and the only sound was the rumble of the engine. I was too tired to think.
- 9:00 PM: Dinner (and Falling Asleep Mid-Meal): Back at the hotel. Barely made it to the restaurant. Ordered a burger, ate about three bites, and promptly passed out at the table. Woke up briefly to pay the bill. Back to my room. Sleep. Pure, glorious sleep.
Day 3: Dead Sea… and the Unavoidable Reality of My Life
- 8:00 AM: Awakening to the reality of the day: I am very, very tired physically.
- 9:00 AM: The Dead Sea – Float like an astronaut in a space hotel! I'm so sure.
- **10:00 AM -
Okay, Seriously - Is This Hotel Actually *In Space*?!
Alright, let's be brutally honest. No. It's *not* actually in space. If it was, I'd be writing this from a zero-gravity-induced stupor and probably be regretting that space-lobster I ordered. It’s a *themed* hotel, people! But hear me out... it's *really* committed to the theme. They don't just put a few sparkly stars on the ceiling and call it a day. They've gone *all* in. Think immersive, think… well, think you might actually *believe* you're floating in a nebula for about five minutes after checking in. I swear, when I first saw the holographic projections… I actually gasped. Pathetic, I know. But the commitment, the sheer audacity of it all... you gotta respect it. My friend, Sarah, she was so convinced she started complaining about the "lack of oxygen" (it was just the AC, Sarah, breathe!).
What's the Deal with the Food? Are We Talking Space-Paste?!
God, no. Thank goodness, no. Space-paste is something I'd happily avoid for the rest of my life. The food… is actually pretty darn good. They've got this “Cosmic Cuisine” menu – lots of molecular gastronomy stuff. Like, this "Nebula Nibble" thing? It's a tiny, edible orb that explodes in your mouth with all these weird but fantastic flavors. I ordered three. The presentation is wild. The waiters are dressed as space-explorers?! It was fun. But, listen, the service… it's a bit spotty. My waiter, bless his heart, tried to pretend he understood my incredibly basic question about the chicken (“Is it… chicken-ey?”). He just stared blankly and then offered me a space-fruit smoothie. Which, on the plus side, *was* delicious. So yeah, great food, but be patient. They're clearly prioritizing the *aesthetic*. Smart if you ask me.
The Rooms - What Am I Actually *Getting*? A Closet with a View of Uranus (the... planet)?
Okay, the rooms are probably the best part. Seriously. They're seriously committed. Forget a regular hotel room with a bed and a TV. You’re getting… a *capsule*. Literally. Like, you feel like you're on a spaceship. It’s dark, with these incredible holographic "windows" that project different nebulae, planets... everything! The bed is super comfy. The control panels... are a bit fiddly, but I got the hang of it eventually. The bathroom is small. But look, you're not there to poop, you're there to *explore the cosmos*! (Or, you know, pretend to). I had a room with a view "of" the Andromeda Galaxy. I swear, I spent a solid hour just staring at it, while eating space-fruit. You know, the usual. Also, the "gravity simulator" in the capsules is kind of a gimmick, but it's fun to play with for like the first five seconds.
This "Arena" Thing... What's Actually Going On There? Is it Dangerous?!
The arena… right. Let's talk about the arena. Honestly, this is where the whole thing starts to feel a little... off. In a good way, mostly. It's the core of the "Arena Space Experience". It's where they have shows, demonstrations, and most importantly… simulated space battles. It's kind of a chaotic, sensory overload experience. Think laser tag meets a rave meets a very enthusiastic production of "Star Wars." You get these little "space suits" and "blasters", and you run around and shoot at… things. I got shot, a lot. The first time... I got knocked over with my head in a pile of (non-lethal) confetti. The second time, I got slightly injured due to my clumsy self... It was a *blast*. My friend, Mark, he took it *very* seriously. Like, he started yelling tactical things and actually *dodging* the laser blasts. It was embarrassing. They make you sign a waiver. So… decide for yourself whether its "dangerous". I loved it.
The "Zero-G" Experience - Doesn't That Require Actual Zero-G?!
Listen, I’m not an engineer okay?! But I can tell you that the “Zero-G” experience is… well, it's not *real* zero-G. It's more of a… a really, REALLY good illusion. They use a combination of things: strategically placed fans, some very clever lighting tricks (which is why I felt a bit dizzy at first), and maybe… *maybe* some strategically placed wires. I'm not sure! But in the moment, you *feel* like you're floating. And that feeling is fantastic. You get to drift around, grab at things, and generally feel like a total goofball. It's a guaranteed mood booster. I recommend taking a friend to watch you for entertainment.
Is it Worth the Price?! Because I'm Seeing Some Serious Numbers Here...
Alright, the big question. Is it worth the money? Ugh. It’s expensive. Let's not lie. But… I'd say… maybe? It depends. If you're looking for a budget vacation, absolutely not. Go to a beach. Read a book. This is NOT budget. But if you want a completely unique, utterly bizarre, and genuinely *fun* experience? If you're craving something that will make you go, "Wow, I've never done *that* before?"… then maybe, just maybe, it's worth it. Think of it as an investment in… well, in stories. You *will* have stories to tell. I'm still telling them. And sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can almost feel the faint, echoing hum of the cosmic… uh… *things*. I'd go again. Don't tell my bank account I said that.
What if I Get Claustrophobic?! Or, You Know, Just Weirded Out By the Whole "Space" Thing?!
Okay, valid concerns. The rooms are… capsule-like. If you're claustrophobic, you might be miserable. Honestly. And the whole "space" thing… it can be intense. It’s immersive, but it’s *a lot*. They have a "relaxation" area at the Arena Space Experience, but it's a bit… underwhelming, if I'm being honest. More like a room with some beanbags and a video of a slightly blurry moon. So, maybe bring a friend who can ground you, or who won't giggle at your reaction (both good options). And maybe… a snack. For comfort.
