Is This The Best Hotel at The Dead Sea in Jordan?
Determining the best hotel at the Dead Sea in Jordan is not an easy undertaking as there are several renowned hotels side by side.
Among them is the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, a luxurious 5-star resort located right at the shore of the lowest point on Earth.
Although it’s the most expensive of all, we decided to spend the last two nights of our Jordan round trip there. I guess the excellent ratings and the stunning photos of the hotel grounds convinced us.
We also wanted to end our trip in the best possible way and splurging on the Kempinski seemed just perfect for that!
As soon as we entered the expansive, breathtaking lobby, we knew immediately that this was indeed the case and that we had made the right decision.
The following two days at the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea were truly extraordinary, providing an ending to our time in Jordan better than I could have ever imagined.
So for me, it’s unquestionably the finest hotel at the Dead Sea. I can’t envision any other hotel surpassing what it offers.
Now, you might be itching to know what makes this hotel so awesome. Well, hang tight and keep reading to discover all the fantastic things waiting for you there! 😉
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What to Expect at The Best Hotel at The Dead Sea, Jordan
There’s a lot to expect if you decide to stay at the Kempinski Ishtar, and while I don’t want to spoil too much, a little foretaste is in order!
Luxury as Far as The Eye Can See
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Kempinski if you weren’t swept away by the unparalleled luxury welcoming you as you step through the doors. You already know my fascination with the lobby alone ….
But of course, this is only the beginning!
Let’s take the rooms, for example. At the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, you can choose between several different accommodation categories, ranging from superior rooms to lavish suites and even entire villas.
We booked a room of the category “Panoramic Room by Resense Spa” which was not located in the main building but in an outbuilding directly above the spa.
These rooms are tastefully designed, modern, airy, and incredibly spacious with an impeccable view of the Dead Sea from the balcony.
Located in the spa area, they offer convenient access to The Ishtar Spa by Resense and even an additional discount of 20% on all treatments.
Besides all the necessary amenities such as a huge king bed, a bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower, in-room coffee and tea facilities, and a flat TV, this room category also features health-focused amenities.
In a dedicated fitness corner, you’ll find yoga mats, blocks, a resistance band, and a jumping rope.
Furthermore, by booking this room category, you have the privilege of exclusive access to the Hammock Terrace, offering an additional tranquil space for relaxation.
Of course, luxury doesn’t stop at the rooms.
Throughout the entire hotel area, you can feel this certain extra touch when staying in an upscale accommodation.
Whether it’s the world-class award-winning spa, the huge, beautifully landscaped hotel grounds, or that you can call a golf cart at any time if you don’t want to walk, Kempinksi Ishtar epitomizes unparalleled luxury and convenience.
Jordan’s Best Hotel Spa
Another fact that reinforces my opinion about Kempinski Ishtar being the best hotel at the Dead Sea in Jordan is that its spa has won the “World Spa Award of Jordan’s Best Hotel Spa” five times in a row!
The Ishtar Spa stands out as one of the largest spas in the Middle East, boasting an expansive 10,000 square meters of wellness-dedicated space.
A unique feature is the private Lemon Garden, adorned with 700-year-old Jordan Valley olive trees, providing an enchanting atmosphere and uninterrupted views of the mesmerizing Dead Sea.
The spa’s most unique offer is its Resense bathing ritual. It’s a special journey created to give calming and helpful experiences, intending to make guests feel thoroughly cleansed, relaxed, and revitalized.
There are even dedicated health concierges available that offer more than just the usual service. They recommend personalized treatments based on what you want to achieve from your spa visit.
And with 20 outdoor and indoor treatment rooms, there’s plenty of space for you to enjoy your specific treatment in complete relaxation.
In addition, The Ishtar Spa offers a range of other facilities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirlpool, Dead Sea pools, a sauna, a steam room, showers, a hydro-pool, a hammam, and Tepidarium heated lounges.
The extensive offerings at this spa truly amazed me, making it my all-time favorite so far!
A Total of 9 Different Outdoor Pools
In which hotel have you experienced the highest number of pools during your stay? No matter how many pools it had, I bet Kempinski Ishtar can surpass it!
Believe it or not, there’s a total of nine pools at this hotel! Yes, you read it right – nine different pools!
While two of them are exclusive to villa guests and not accessible to everyone, there are still plenty of pools available for all guests to enjoy!
First, there’s the Sunken Pool, a heated outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees, the only one right at the main building. It was our favorite and the one we used the most during our stay.
Next, there’s the iconicly shaped Akkad Infinity Pool, a heated adults-only pool boasting magnificent views of the Dead Sea.
On the level just below, you’ll find the elongated and curved Ashtur Pool which also provides wonderful views of the Dead Sea. Right next to it is a dedicated children’s pool, and while the children’s pool is heated, the Ashtur pool isn’t.
Back on the same level as the Infinity pool, you’ll come across the Lazy River, a very lovingly designed pool featuring small islands adorned with palm trees and a bridge.
With its laid-back vibes, it’s perfect for a leisurely plunge!
All of these five pools are located within the main hotel area.
If you’re staying in one of the panoramic rooms, like we did, you also have access to the two outdoor pools in the spa area.
Don’t worry, though, if you prefer a hotel room in the main building or in the “village area”. It’s possible to enjoy a day spa visit and gain access to all the spa’s facilities!
Apart from the Sunken Pool, we found the outdoor area at the spa most enjoyable, mainly because it was quieter and the sunset views were absolutely breathtaking!
Zero Gravity in The Dead Sea
Undoubtedly, a visit to the Dead Sea wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the unique sensation of zero gravity.
Floating in the lowest point on Earth is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it’s even more special at Kempinski Ishtar. The hotel boasts its 300-meter private beach, which happens to be the largest private beach in Jordan at the same time.
In addition to floating and reading a magazine in the Dead Sea, you can also indulge in a mud bath experience.
As part of this, you float in the Dead Sea for around 10 minutes, cover your body with mud, and then wash it off in the Dead Sea after letting it take effect for approximately 10 minutes.
Don’t worry if you don’t remember the exact process. There’s staff available to guide you on how to do it correctly and even assist you in applying the mud to your body.
It’s a pretty fun experience everyone needs to try at least once! Just don’t forget to ask someone to capture a photo of you completely covered in the black mud! 😉
Lebanese Treats & a Generous Breakfast Buffet
Last but not least, one of the reasons why I consider Kempinski Ishtar the best hotel at the Dead Sea in Jordan is its exceptional culinary offerings.
My favorite part of the morning was treating myself to the lavish breakfast buffet. The European breakfast style, enriched with numerous local twists, is not only visually appealing but also a delight for the taste buds!
Even as a vegan, I found it incredibly easy to discover a plethora of delicious options, including fresh fruits, cereals, wholesome bread, and savory delicacies such as different salads, falafel, hummus, etc.
They even made vegan pancakes for me upon request!
The buffet is generously spread across several corners of the Obelisk Restaurant, where they also offer a dinner buffet in the evening.
Besides the Obelisk Restaurant, there are several other restaurants and bars, with Lehan Lebanese Cuisine being one of them.
It was the place where we had dinner on the first evening, and since we enjoyed it so much, we returned on the second evening as well.
During my trip to Jordan, I became a huge fan of Lebanese cuisine, and the food at Lehan was incredibly tasty, flavorful, and comforting.
Plus, Lebanese cuisine has a wide variety of vegan dishes making it exceptionally easy for me to find plenty of options on the menu such as Batata Harra (my favorite), Fattoush, Tabbouleh, and of course, Falafel.
Of all the other restaurants, we tried Akkad Pool & Grill situated at the Akkad Infinity Pool which offers snacks such as sandwiches, appetizers, and salads. It was the perfect place to grab some light lunch.
So, enough spoiling, I guess you now know why I recommend the Kempinski Ishtar as the place to stay at the Dead Sea.
The best thing is to book a stay and determine for yourself if it’s the best hotel at the Dead Sea in Jordan!
Check out:
Where to Stay in Petra
Where to Stay in Amman
Top 10 Places & Ruins to See in Petra
12 Important & Useful Tips For Visiting Petra
A Complete Guide to Visiting Wadi Rum
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Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals. I do love staying at a local place as well, thus I book an Airbnb every now and then.
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Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
This hotel has every thing I want defiantly I will visit once…