I flipped the light switch off, and the sky lit up—stars twinkling like specks against a dark velvet sky. I was cozily settled into bed beneath the glass dome of my tent at the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp in Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert, mesmerized by the canopy of constellations above.
Set in the heart of the desert, far from light pollution and the nearest major city, the 55-room tented camp was the perfect backdrop for some serious stargazing. And from the comfort of my fully modern and climate-controlled domed suite, I couldn’t imagine a better place to spend a night under the stars.
The camp features four different tent options, with my Panoramic Luxury Tent being one of the most opulent. At 340 square feet, it came complete with its own en-suite bathroom and shower, Dead Sea toiletries, a small sitting area, and deck chairs to enjoy the view outside. Even the camp’s most economical Junior Luxury Tents include amenities like an en-suite bathroom and slippers.
The true beauty of the camp lies in its surroundings, and nowhere is that more apparent than when we loaded into the back of a pickup truck and headed off into the desert. Wadi Rum is a protected area often used to simulate the surface of Mars in films. As we bumped along the red sand roads, tufts of dust kicking up in our wake, I couldn’t help but think this was the closest I’d likely get to the Red Planet in my lifetime. I vowed to take it all in, pulling a scarf tighter around my face for protection and gazing up at the jagged sandstone mountains etched with thousands of years of human history.
Memories Aicha Luxury Camp offers three-hour desert tours for 60 JOD ($84.59) per car, guiding guests to the region’s most dramatic and historic sites, like Khazali Canyon, where ancient inscriptions carved into the rock walls serve as a palpable reminder of the vast timeline of human civilization.
After hours of exploring, I returned to my tent to wash the desert off before making my way up a long wooden boardwalk, ringed by towering rock formations, toward the camp’s two restaurants (both breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate). Built into the side of an 80-million-year-old rock cave and featuring long bench seating, pendant lighting, and rich textiles, the café and lounge were the perfect places to while away a few hours.
The next day, I pulled back the floor-to-ceiling curtains in my room to reveal the craggy mountains just outside, bathed in early morning sunlight. I lingered in bed for a few extra minutes, soaking up the view and the final moments of stillness before re-packing my suitcase and heading north toward the Dead Sea. And as I drove out of Wadi Rum, leaving the vibrant red sand behind, I couldn’t help but start mentally planning my next trip back.
Top Takeaways
Location: Wadi Rum, Jordan
Rating: Four-star
The vibe: A magical and unplugged escape in one of Earth’s most beautiful natural landscapes.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The guided stargazing—offered for 10 JOD ($14.10) per person—which explains each constellation so even a novice astrophile can follow along.
Food + Drink: All breakfasts and dinners are included at the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp rate and feature dishes like Zarb or traditional Bedouin barbecue.
Amenities: Restaurant, cafe, guided stargazing, 24-hour front desk, free shuttle service to and from the village of WADI Rum, bonfire, tours to book
What’s nearby? The beauty of the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp is that you’re in the middle of the desert, but you’re just about a 2-hour drive from the ancient city of Petra.
Any personal neighborhood recommendations? The camp is ideally situated to discover plenty of nearby hiking and archaeological spots like the Khazali Canyon.
Rooms: 55 tents, including Panoramic Luxury Suites, Panoramic Luxury Tents, Executive Luxury Tents, and Junior Luxury Tents.
Pricing: Rates start at 160 JOD ($225.57) per night.
Closest airport: King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in Aqaba
