A Hidden Gem on the Dead Sea with an Amazing Spa and Breakfast

I spent a week researching hotels on the Dead Sea, and I wanted to try out a few places to see which one would be the best fit for me. I ended up staying at Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, Marriott, and Movenpick, so I could get a feel for each hotel's pros and cons based on my personal experience.

January can be a bit unpredictable weather-wise, and we even had a couple of rainy days during our stay. Since spending extended periods at the Dead Sea isn't exactly feasible, I was looking for a hotel with a warm pool, a spa area, and a pool with seawater.

If your main goal is to spend as much time as possible at the sea, then this hotel might not be the best choice. At Marriott, you have to wade through gravel at the bottom and then walk through sandbags to get to the water, which is crystal clear. Here, you have to climb down a clay slope to get to the sea - it's not very comfortable, it's slippery, and sometimes the staff will help you with this. The water in the sea is also murky due to the clay. However, the hotel does have a shower, sun loungers, a mud bath, and a salt scrub, as well as changing rooms and coral flip-flops. The staff are very friendly and caring, and they even gave me a piece of salt crystal from the sea as a gift.

You have to walk up to the hotel from the sea, and there's a big drop in elevation everywhere, which might not be suitable for everyone.

The hotel itself is stunning, with beautiful interiors and plenty of space. There are two main buildings and a spa building, as well as villas, although those are more expensive. We were initially put in a standard room with a lovely view of the palms from the window.

Our wardrobe area and vanity with a stool are separated from the bedroom, but the rooms themselves are massive.

After exploring the spa, we discovered that rooms above the spa zone come with free spa access, while others have to pay 37 dinar per day. We decided to upgrade to a room above the spa zone with an amazing balcony-terrace and stunning sea views.

It cost us 60 dinar more, but it was still a better deal since we'd have to pay for spa access every day. The rooms above the spa zone also come with a yoga mat and dumbbells. I enjoyed working out with the sea view and also visited the fitness club.The room has a bathtub and shower, and the mini-bar is complimentary.

I was blown away by the spa complex's awards and accolades. The facilities are top-notch, with multiple pools at different temperatures, a sauna, hammam, and even a hydromassage. The Dead Sea pool was surprisingly refreshing, and the view from the spa is simply stunning – overlooking an apricot orchard.

The property itself is massive and immaculately maintained – the most beautiful of the three hotels we visited.

The breakfasts were a highlight, with a vast spread on the outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. They even serve French champagne – a nice touch. Freshly squeezed juice, coffee, tea, eggs, local dishes, and veggies were all on offer, along with delicious pastries and croissants.

We tried the Lebanese restaurant for dinner and the café for lunch. The food in the café was a hit, but the restaurant was a bit of a miss – maybe we just chose the wrong dishes. Everything was heavily seasoned with lemon and spices, which wasn't quite our cup of tea.

The infinity pool on the property was a nice touch, but let's be real, it's not exactly the most practical thing. Getting in and out of it is a real challenge - you pretty much have to crawl on your hands and knees to get out. But the views from up there? Absolutely stunning.

The lackluster beach setup and murky clay water in the ocean were major downsides for me. However, the spa and breakfast were top-notch. My advice? Bring the darkest swimsuit you've got for the ocean - you'll be glad you did, trust me.