Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea: Experience A Luxury Stay With One Of The Best Dead Sea Resorts

Touted as one of the most incredible Dead Sea Resorts, The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea combines luxury with accessibility at the lowest point on Earth’s surface.

Situated on the shores of the magnificent Dead Sea in Jordan at a stunning 1,400 feet below sea level, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is one of the most incredible Dead Sea resorts in Jordan.

Known for its refined luxury, magnificent vistas, and sought-after wellness retreats, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar is also approachable, and remarkably family-friendly. With nine pools, six restaurants, a world-class Dead Sea spa, and one of the most unique locations on the planet, this Dead Sea hotel in Jordan is, quite literally, one of a kind.

Gazing out upon one of the most inhospitable bodies of water on Earth, and surrounded by, what has been touted for millennia to be, mud and soil with magical healing properties, this Dead Sea resort is one of the coolest places to visit in Jordan.

And with 345 rooms and suites crafted in a modern, contemporary design that accentuates the one-of-a-kind natural beauty in which it sits, the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea has a little something for everyone, including families.

We made a visit to the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea after a wonderful experience SCUBA diving the Red Sea in Aqaba. It made for a wonderful relaxation break after days of exploring Petra with our kids and Bedouin camping in Wadi Rum.

I don’t do a lot of hotel rooms. In order for me to justify the time, a hotel has to be something truly special. There needs to be an element that makes the place more than just a great family-friendly accommodation, it needs to be an experience in and of itself.

You can read on to learn all about this incredible resort and our experience with the property, or you can check out their rates and availability here.

About The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a saltwater lake in the Jordan Rift Valley that is bordered by Israel to the west and Jordan to the east. Its unique properties are due to it lying at the lowest point on Earth’s surface, currently at 1434 feet (434 meters), and dropping slowly, but steadily. Because of its low elevation, salt and minerals runoff from higher bodies of water and drain into the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea has been renowned for its mineral-rich waters and mud. These have been touted for millennia for their therapeutic and healing powers that, some believe, border on magical. The water is so salinated, nearly ten times saltier than the ocean, that floating on the Dead Sea is practically effortless. And the sea’s water and mud have been used to treat skin conditions, joint pain, and many other ailments for centuries.

The properties of the Dead Sea date back so far that even the ancient Egyptians were known to use minerals from the Dead Sea in their embalming process. Even the Greeks and the Romans were known to use it in their medicines and beauty products.

The Dead Sea has become a mecca for health and wellness travel, and its otherworldly beauty, fascinating history, and awe-inspiring views have seen it begin to draw adventure travelers as well.

Despite its ominous name, the Dead Sea is actually teeming with life. Just not one’s that are obvious to the naked eye. The waters and surrounding mud are ripe with unique species of bacteria, algae, and fungi that have been an important part of the land’s supposed healing factors.

About The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is a luxury five-star Dead Sea resort in Jordan located on the shores of the Dead Sea. The hotel features 345 rooms and suites, all of which offer stunning views of the Dead Sea or the surrounding mountains.

The Dead Sea resort in Jordan is part of the Kempinski Group, which is the oldest hotel group in Europe, tracing its heritage back to 1897. The resort itself offers an incredible range of attractions including nine swimming pools, a private beach on the Dead Sea, a spa, a fitness center, and tennis courts. There are also six restaurants that include Mediterranean, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisine options.

The highlight of the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea though is the on-site spa. The spa at the Kempinski Ishtar is the largest on the Dead sea, with over 20 individual treatment rooms and covering nearly 33,000 square feet.

Throughout the grounds, you’ll find contemporary architecture that blends into the surrounding scenery, manicured gardens, intricate tilework, fountains, and even a 500-year-old olive tree that the builders made sure not to disturb during the birth of the resort.

Interested in checking this Dead Sea resort out for yourself? You can find their rates and availability here.

Where Is The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar?

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is located about 43 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of the Jordanian capital city of Amman and about 170 miles north of Aqaba. The tiny town is just 18 minutes from historic Bethany Beyond the Jordan where many pilgrims travel to experience the location of Jesus’ baptism.

There are several ways to get to the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar from within Jordan depending on your starting location.

If you’re traveling by car, head to the Dead Sea Highway. This picturesque route connects to the Desert Highway (RTE 15). If you’re traveling from Amman, it takes around one hour and 15 minutes to reach the hotel. There is private parking available at no extra cost.

If you’re heading to the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea by bus, the easiest route is from Abdali Bus Station in Amman. From there, head to the Sweimeh Bus Station. Once you reach Sweimeh, you’ll need to either hire a taxi or ride the bus the final three miles.

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea also offers a private transfer service for guests. You can book a driver ahead of time to pick you up from nearly any location in Jordan. They will take you directly to the hotel. There is a cost associated with this service, and it varies by location.

What To Expect From Your Stay At The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

No matter what type of traveler that you are, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar offers something that caters to you. My family was wildly impressed by the resort, and my kids did not want to leave, despite all of our incredible family adventures in Jordan.

Things To Do

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is a large resort, and while everything feels spacious and unobtrusive, it’s actually packed with a lot of amenities. Some of the best things to do at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea include:

Dead Sea Beach

This Dead Sea Resort has its own private access to the Dead Sea shores. As the waters of the Dead Sea are continuously retreating, every few years another step is added to allow guests to access the salty waters of this world wonder.

The town of Sweimeh does have public beaches, but because they see such a large number of visitors that much of the mud is not as pristine as the private areas and the crowds can be far greater. During the high tourist season, this can make a huge difference as tourists flock to the area on day tours from Amman, and public entrance points into the Sea are nearly at capacity.

The shoreline directly behind the hotel is strictly for hotel guests only. There are also mud stations located at strategic points that are manned by hotel staff who can give you a hand getting dirty.

Helpful Staff

If you have questions during your stay, just look for “The Ladies In Red”. These ladies have a deep knowledge of the Hotel, the Dead Sea, and its surrounding areas. They will be the first to tell you, there is WIFI literally everywhere surrounding the property.

They can also help you understand how to best take advantage of the mud, and how to float in the Dead Sea without getting a mouthful of the salty brine.

Accommodations

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea has 345 modern, contemporary rooms and suites. The rooms are divided into four different categories, all designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. You’ll find each one equipped with stone floors and private balconies.

The guest suites offer even more privacy and much larger rooms as well as custom furniture. If you’re traveling as a larger group or want the most luxurious experience, you can opt for the Kempinski Ishtar Royal Villa which includes a private entrance, a foyer, a second floor, and three master bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom.

We had opted for a superior room and our king-sized bed was separated from the kid’s queen bed by a half wall. The bathroom had a full-sized shower and a very large tub on the opposite side. We were on the bottom floor and when we opened the double doors to our terrace we could hear the serene sound of the sea lapping against the shore.

The children quickly ran to the fridge and were instantly hungry when they saw the complimentary snacks and chocolate bars. Since we were about to head to lunch, they had to settle for the complimentary fruit with the promise of a treat for dessert if they ate all of their lunch.

Restaurants

There are six fantastic restaurants, cafes, and grills at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea that cover a range of wonderful cuisines.

The Akkad pool and Grill give guests the chance to enjoy some poolside dining on comfort classics such as sandwiches, appetizers, salads, and desserts. It overlooks the Akkad Infinity Pool, which is the only pool that is not accessible to children.

The Obelisk Restaurant serves up an array of international cuisine with a focus on fusion and freshness. You’ll find local favorites as well including Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan.

Rehan is a Lebanese restaurant serving up food in the style of Gilgamesh. It’s chic decor makes it an ideal date night restaurant, but the amazing food makes it popular for foodies as well.

Blu is the hotel’s signature restaurant. This restaurant, located near the lower Infinity pool serves up Mediterranean classics prepared by the hotel’s resident chef.

The Ishtar Spa

The Ishtar Spa at the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Hotel is the largest spa in the region. The spacious wellness center covers a massive 33,000 square feet and has more than 20 individual treatment rooms.

The spa’s European-style treatments range from hydro facilities with steam rooms to Tepidarium heated lounges. It also contains the hotel’s signature Dead Sea Pool, the largest heated pool on the shores of the Dead Sea.

Their extensive spa menu leaves nothing behind. If you’re heading to the Dead Sea as a wellness retreat, the Ishtar Spa is where you’ll want to be.

Want to check out the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea for yourself? You can find their rates and availability here.

Staying At The Kempinski Ishtar Hotel with Kids

For a Jordan Dead Sea hotel, the Kempinski Ishtar Hotel is incredibly family-friendly. Not only are all but one of the nine glorious pools open to families, but the hotel also has its Titan Tikes Kids Club.

The Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Hotel kids club has fun games and activities to keep little ones occupied while the adults are enjoying a soak in the Dead Sea, relaxing at the spa, or enjoying a quiet date night at one of the Kempinski Ishtar’s restaurants.

Titan Tykes Kids Club offers activities such as face painting, necklace creation, crafts, and even pizza-making classes. Our boys spent an afternoon at the Kempinski Ishtar kids club and absolutely loved it.

Our Experience at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

Entering the hotel required a heavy, even by Jordanian standards, security check. The underside of our van was checked and we needed to go through metal detectors and have our bags checked on our way in. This was no big deal as going through metal detector doors with a security guard has been standard fare in our travels throughout Jordan.

The grand lobby of the Kempinski hotel greeted us as we entered through the main doors. From the entrance, we could see the main attraction, the Dead Sea, off in the distance. There were several agents waiting to check us in so there was no wait time. As Kevin provided our information to the front desk, an assistant manager brought out two adorable camel stuffies and gave one to C and D. That sealed it for the kids.

This would be their favorite hotel in the entire country of Jordan. Those camels were their best friends for the rest of the trip! The check-in was seamless and a bell boy accompanied us to our room all the while telling us about the amenities of the hotel. I credit his patience, even as C and D insisted that they ride the luggage cart through the entire hotel!

The room and amenities

We had opted for a superior room and our king-sized bed was separated from the kid’s queen bed by a half wall. The bathroom had a full-sized shower and a very large tub on the opposite side. We were on the bottom floor and when we opened the double doors to our terrace we could hear the serene sound of the sea lapping against the shore.

The children quickly ran to the fridge and were instantly hungry when they saw the complimentary snacks and chocolate bars. Since we were about to head to lunch, they had to settle for the complimentary fruit with the promise of a treat for dessert if they ate all of their lunch.

The Kempinksi hotel has nine pools and C made it his mission to try and go into each and every one of them. One pool, the infinity pool, was listed as for adults only, so he had to take a pass on that one, but to his credit, all the rest of them were visited.

One of the pools had a very cool bubble fountain that many of the children at the resort seemed to enjoy even more than the splash pools at the other end of the hotel. We all had so much fun splashing and exploring that Kevin and I never even made it to our massage.

Are You Ready To Stay At This Dead Sea Resort?

For the price, we expected a lot from the Kempinski Hotel. I am happy to say that we do not regret our decision as the hotel continually surpassed our expectations. In fact, we debated extending our stay at the beautiful Kempinski hotel, but Jordan’s famous Desert Castles were waiting.

If you’d like to check out this hotel for yourself, you can find their rates and availability here.

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