Accommodations and Food

Irbid has several hotels and restaurants to suit the budget traveler. The Al-Amin al-Kabir Hotel (tel. 24 23 84) on Midan Malik Abdallah St., one block down from the city center and the Ministry of Antiquities building, has pleasant, breezy rooms and exceptionally courteous management. (Singles JD4. Doubles JD5.500. Bathroom 500fils.) Around the comer on Jamil St. in the same building as the Bank of Jordan is the more communal Abu Bakr Hotel (tel. 24 26 95), where snoozing is the main event. (Singles JD5. Doubles JD6.) The Al-Nasseem Hotel (tel. 27 43 10) on Idoun St., the south side of the Yarmouk cam desperately needs new carpeting but the somewhat unkempt rooms are comfortable.

With the main entrance to Yarmouk University on your left, walk uphill and take the first left. The Al-Nasseem will be on your right before you reach An-Nas-seem Circle. (Singles JD10. Doubles JD14. Cheaper for more than one night.) The three-star Al-Razi Hotel (tel. 27 55 15, fax 27 55 17), across the street from University Mosque, is a bit expensive but its restaurant serves delicious Arabic-style pizzas for less thanJDl. (Singles JD25. Doubles JD33.) The newly renovated Cafe Amon Italian Restaurant, downhill from the Al-Razi Hotel and right on the circle, serves a variety of entrees, mostly under JD2. (Open daily 8am-l lpm.) Downtown, Al-Kat-koot serves supreme Jordanian dishes, or visit the Hungry Bunny to get that wab-bit. The area by Al-Yarmouk University has a more colorful selection of food stands.