Dana Guesthouse

The Dana Guesthouse is a simple eco-lodge and small hotel located on the cliff edge of Dana Village, inside the Dana Biosphere Reserve in southern Jordan. It is one of the most iconic stays in the area because it sits dramatically above the Wadi Dana canyon, offering some of the best sunset and valley views in all of Jordan.

It is managed in line with eco-tourism principles and focuses on nature, hiking, and local community tourism, rather than luxury comfort.

📍 Location & setting

• 📍 Located in Dana Village (clifftop settlement inside Dana Reserve)
• 🌄 Overlooks the huge Wadi Dana canyon and desert mountains
• 🚶 Direct access to hiking trails into the reserve
• 🚗 About:
  • ~2–3 hours from Amman
  • ~1–1.5 hours from Petra (Wadi Musa)

👉 The main highlight is the dramatic cliff-edge position with panoramic valley views.

🏛️ Style & architecture

• Built into the natural cliffside landscape
• Stone and earth-toned design blending with the environment
• Eco-lodge concept developed by conservation architects
• Designed to look like it “emerges from the mountain” rather than sitting on it

👉 The architecture is intentionally rustic and nature-integrated, not modern luxury.

🛏️ Rooms & comfort

• Small number of rooms (boutique-scale lodge)
• Basic but comfortable interiors
• Many rooms have balconies or terraces facing the valley
• Simple furnishings (bed, bathroom, essential amenities)
• Focus on views and location rather than in-room luxury

👉 Expect clean, simple accommodation with exceptional scenery.

🍽️ Food & dining

• On-site restaurant serving home-style Jordanian meals
• Buffet breakfast with local options (bread, eggs, cheese, tea)
• Dinner often includes traditional cooked dishes
• Outdoor seating areas with sunset views over the canyon

👉 Meals are simple but the setting is a major part of the experience.

🥾 Activities & experiences

The guesthouse is strongly connected to outdoor tourism:

• 🥾 Hiking in Dana Biosphere Reserve trails
• 🌄 Sunset viewing from the cliff terrace
• 🐐 Wildlife spotting (ibex and birds in the valley)
• 📸 Photography of canyon landscapes
• 🧭 Access point for longer treks (including Dana-to-Petra routes)

🌿 Atmosphere & vibe

• Very quiet and peaceful mountain environment
• Popular with hikers, backpackers, and nature lovers
• Strong “disconnect from city life” feeling
• Known for sunsets, silence, and star-filled nights

👍 Best for

• Hikers exploring Dana Reserve
• Budget-to-mid-range nature travelers
• People doing multi-day trekking routes toward Petra
• Visitors who want authentic cliffside village experience