Stay Report: Crowne Plaza Amman (Jordan - January 2012)

Stay Report: Crowne Plaza Amman
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photo courtesy of IHG

I was using Amman as a base while travelling through Jordan, so I was looking for a hotel that would be able to accommodate my travelling schedule, was close to sights and attractions, and also had access to transportation and services within walking distance.  Based on research, I choose the Crowne Plaza as it fit most of my criteria.  Overall, the hotel does not have the greatest curb appeal but inside the good customer service outweighs the outside appearance.  

The airport is located far away from the city center, so it takes approximately 45 minutes from the airport to the hotel.  Since I was arriving in the middle of the night, and given the distance from the airport and the hotel does not provide a shuttle, I had booked a car with the hotel for the pick-up.  When I exited the airport, there was no on there to pick us up as the hotel forgot to send someone.  This was not the greatest start to our visit, but this seemed to be the only lapse in customer service, and they tried to rectify the situation throughout the stay.  

The hotel faces the main street, but the entrance to the hotel is on the side street, connected to a mini shopping plaza on the first floor of the hotel which contains a barber shop and other small shops.  As you enter the hotel, there is a security check and scan (each time).  In the main part of the hotel, on the left is the check-in desk and straight ahead is the dining room where breakfast is served.  The hallway next to the check-in desk leads to the back of the hotel, and along the way you pass the elevators, a jewelry shop, and other small stores.  Towards the back of the hotel is another restaurant and the exit to the side of the hotel that is connected to the small shops.  As it was very early in the morning, and the hotel was overcompensating given the earlier mistake, check-in was quick and efficient.  I had booked a room on the Club Floor so included in the club floor was complimentary breakfast, tea/cocktail hour, as well as unlimited high speed internet.  

photo courtesy of IHG

The room itself was nice and comfortable, but a bit small.  As you entered the room, on the left side was the bathroom and the right hand side was the closet and storage area.  The bathroom was small, not as small as some European bathrooms but definitely smaller than American bathrooms.  The bathroom contained the standard facilities of a sink, a tub, and a toilet as well as bathroom amenities.  Beyond the bathroom were the two double beds with a night stand in the middle.  The beds were very comfortable to sleep on, but they were also very close to each other.   As the room was a smaller size, it seemed like everything was squeezed together.  Across from the beds were the TV, a chest with drawers, as well as a connected desk set against the wall.  From our side of the hotel, our view was of the parking lot, the main street, and the market across the street; on the other side the view would have been of the pool, health club, and neighborhood. 

photo courtesy of IHG

In terms of amenities, I tried the complimentary breakfast, the club floor lounge, the spa, and the fitness center.  As we had access to the Club Lounge, we could choose where to have breakfast; downstairs or in the Club Lounge.  On the first day, I ate in the club floor lounge, but the next day I decided to try downstairs where there were more options, more staff available, and more guests to interact with.  The breakfast was nice and very filling. 

The club floor lounge is located on the top floor and has some really nice views of the city from the top of the hotel.  The lounge itself looks a little dated, but is very spacious and can accommodate a large group.  Against the wall is a TV with couches in the middle, and behind this is a long table in which the food is set out.  For the tea/cocktail, in addition to drinks they also had hors-d'oeuvre available such as meat kabobs, mini sandwiches, and other small items to eat.  It was very comfortable to sit and relax as there were not many patrons when I was there.  

photo courtesy of IHG

The fitness center and sauna are located on the other side of the hotel across from the pool area.  The facility is two stories and it houses both the fitness center, which is decent, and many spa rooms.  The spa services were very nice and very affordable, and they provided a nice relaxing experience to the Crowne Plaza Amman.

Overall, it was a nice stay at the Crowne Plaza Amman.  Despite the initial issue with the hotel pick-up, the customer service at the hotel was very good (and the hotel continuously tried to compensate for their earlier mistake).  The positives included strong internet connectivity, comfortable beds, a good breakfast, and good customer service.  Negatives included the small size of the rooms.  While a bit outside the hotel district, the Crowne Plaza Amman is a good choice.