Feynan Eco Lodge ***

Feynan Eco Lodge has been developed by Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and opened in the summer of 2005. The lodge, also known as the Wilderness Lodge, has been set up as a cool, atmospheric retreat for tourists wishing to explore this undiscovered and archaeologically rich area of Jordan.

Deep in the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, at the end of a rugged track, an idyllic candle-lit lodge rests in magnificent Wadi Feynan. Here, set against the glorious desert landscape, guests staying at the 26-room lodge can be found adventuring through the untouched outdoors, sipping mint tea with the native Bedouin, exploring local archaeological sites or simply unwinding in the serene courtyards and terraces of the candle-lit complex; safe in the knowledge that they are vacationing in a socially and environmentally-responsible way.

The Feynan Eco Lodge is quite advanced and has solar electricity for use in bathrooms and kitchens. It is an interesting piece of architecture built entirely of local materials and designed by a local architect. The building design is lovely; a two-story mud structure with 26 rooms on the first floor, and an inner courtyard, terraces, dining room and other common areas on the ground floor. The rooms are all en-suite and have private terraces overlooking the arid locality and the steep rocky hills beyond. The hotel is not luxurious by any means, but offers something very different from the larger more traditional hotels in Jordan. The rooms are clean and comfortable and when lit by candlelight are exceptionally pretty.

The food is something to write home about – locally produced using fresh produce with a range of vegetarian only options. Enjoy healthy delicious vegetarian dishes inspired by traditional Arabic cuisine that combine various fresh local produce in a delectable way. As part of its commitment to sustainability Feynan Ecolodge strives to acquire its produce and ingredients as much as possible from nearby farms. Breakfast on the terrace at sunrise is a pleasure. Lunch can be enjoyed at the lodge or as a picnic stop in the wilderness as part of your eco-experience. But the most delightful dining choice is where to enjoy the sumptuous dinner: on the outer terrace aglow from the moon, or in a room indoors lit solely by the magical flicker of candles.

The lodge offers a mix of the past, and the technology of the future: the roof includes solar panels that provide hot water for showers and electric power to the kitchen and for bathroom lights. The staff are all from the local Bedouin community which makes it an important asset to this remote area.

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