We are coming here for 10 years, first as a couple, now as a family with a 7 Y/O child, having travelled all over Jordan for years , we now come to Jordan only to relax at the IC Aqaba, where they are outpassing any other hotel in term of service, friendliness and welcoming, they spend their time pampering their customers, whether you are a returning one or not.
In details, the hotel is on the sea front, it has its own private very large beach; made out of natural sand (unlike the newer hotels in Saraya and Hayla nearby), dotted with a perhaps 200s rooms, most facing the red sea gulf, these rooms are really worth their money. the hotel have a gigantics and elegant lobby with palm trees and a fountain flowing all the way to the outdoor main pool, you are taken in charge by a bell boy as soon as you get on the front of the hotel, given an arabic coffee or water with dates, while you wait at the reception. Ambassador members get a separate desk where the head of reception took care of us.
Their service was flawless, and we could see even improvement thru the years, with the increasing competition from newere 5 stars, the IC team has upped its service game.
The reception team and bellboy team have been outstanding during our arrival, a special thanks note to Naser Herzallah at the reception desk, who pampered us and worried personnally that our stay will be faultless (after some rather annoying & awful experience at the border crossing on the Jordanian side), he and his staff, simply ensured our stay would be as smooth as silk, and it was. A real 5 stars experience end to end.
This october the IC lounge on the last floor was closed as the hotel is going thru a major restructuration (1st half should be delivered in 2026), but the lounge services have been simply moved to the beach bar side, even better! There is a separate lounge menu at the beach bar, all day long, plus twice a day a wider menu with more food and alcoholic drinks in the evening available for lounge guests, you can be served on the beach or at the bar, as you wish.
We expected an annoying situation, but it was the other way around, a real improvement, no more need to go all the way up to the lounge to get a refreshment during the day, or get a snack, we did not move from the beach and pools during our entire stay. My only suggestion to management, if you could keep this lounge option after the renovation, this would be terrific, in addition of the IC lounge with its AC and views, this was a real change and improvement, and not a caveat as we feared.
The pools are multiple and huge, some reserved to adults, some kid friendly, 1 adult pool was closed for renovation (the one in the further corner of the hotel), the outdoor large jaccuzi (a pool by its size) is adult only, and there are 2 more jaccuzis indoor (1 men and 1 women) in the spa area. The gym and spa area are gigantic, wide and attractive; there is even a squash court indoor.
After day one, we asked to change room, we were located near the lift, people were very loud even deep in the night. They moved us to a Junior suite at the end of the corridor once it got free, a real classy gesture, showing they care about their guest comfort. Albeit the rooms are not the most modern, they are kept spotless and are well cleaned, this year we had no incident on the matter, another sign of improvement.
We cant wait to see the new rooms after the renovation is over in summer 2026.
Breakfast is simply incredible, I stay 60 night a year at IC, this is the best breakfast I have been given to see in the world outside far east Asia, everything is available, or made available, any query is answered with a yes, it beats Dubai IC any day of the week, while the team is available to all the guest, run across the tables to ask if you need a coffee or an orange juice, like a ballet, no one waits or is left waiting.
A heartfell thank to the whole F&B team and in particular to Mr Salah, who personnally tend to all the guests, he and his team have been once more a highlight of our stay, he even took upon himself to organize a cake for my wife birthday on her birthday date, outstanding care.
During the day time, the hotel has several kids activities and a mini disco at night, and in the evening from 20h00 till 23h00, many shows on the beach front and in the Martini bar (very classy environment, come dressed ;) )
The Lebanese restaurant on site remains a highlight too, prices are rather accessible for an inground restaurant (15€ to 20€ per person for diner), fish is fresh, and a separate fish restaurant is opening in the evening on the rooftop of the beachbar.
All in all, best money for values you can find in that part of the red sea, even in Eilat you wont find anything close to the service you get in this hotel. Location is fantastic, beach front, facing Aqaba gulf, you sea from Egypt to Saudi Arabia at the tip of your feet.
You feel safe on the beach, despite large crowds at sea nowadays, Aqaba is becoming a trendier sea resort than 10 years back. The hotel offers as well sea activities, such as scuba or boating.
To get here, it will cost you 7 JD from the Israeli border, perhaps 12 from the airport, to get here, and the town center is walking distance. There is a huge parking ground if you drive, free of charge access.
The hotel is not far from the new development of Ayla, and Saraya water park (1 to 2 JD by taxi for Saraya).
Pros: Service, food, beach, activities, pools, and decently priced resort hotel
Cons: Rooms can be slightly outdated, but are being entirely remade this and next year.
All in all, a fair price for a well managed and excellently located 5 stars, whether you need a great hotel whdere to stop or want a great resort where to rest and relax.
We cannot wait to come back next year again.
