Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

About the property Photo gallery

In this large 350+ key resort you need to stay in the Ishtar area, where suites are far more spacious and you’re closer to the Dead Sea and main resort amenities. The actual Dead Sea is truly regenerative and there’s plenty of space to relax here.

Plan your trip

Stay at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

On the salty, mineral-rich shores of the Dead Sea, this large and popular resort is a relaxing place to stay for families and couples alike. Revive yourself in the excellent spa and in the Dead Sea. Lounge by a semi-private pool and enjoy the wide-array of facilities. Parts of the resort are a little dated and it’s not super luxury, but a solid five-star resort for downtime. Plus, you’re only an hour from the airport so this is naturally the place to stay at the start or end of your Jordan holiday.

Location

The Dead Sea is actually a lake and doesn’t have any beaches, so don’t expect white sand here! The resort has a small lakeside “beach” and direct access to the Dead Sea - staff will explain and help you with the natural spa rituals there. It’s only around one hour from Jordan’s main international airport. Jerash and other highlights in northern Jordan are accessible as day trips..

Rooms

This is really two hotels in one. Do not stay in the main building, where there are 200+ rooms and few facilities. The Ishtar area has larger villa-like suites and all the swimming pools. Ishtar Deluxe Rooms and Ishtar Terrace Rooms are most spacious. Some of these share a semi-private pool with a few other units (our recommendation). Ishtar honeymoon rooms have a private rooftop jacuzzi. The two private villas have private pools, but are only worth it if you’re at least six people.

Who is it for

This is a big resort and you can be driven around in a golf buggy to reach the different areas. This means it doesn’t feel crowded, except at breakfast (go for in-room dining instead). It really tries to cater for everybody, from the children’s club and babysitting to one of the largest spas in the Middle East. Couples should definitely go for a suite with a semi-private pool or jacuzzi to get more privacy. Families are definitely well catered for.

Facilities & activities

The spa is fantastic and has a female-only section, plus a really relaxed pool. There are another eight pools, five restaurants, a gym, babysitting service, plus a lot more. Jerash is the best day trip from here, an unmissable Roman city. Note that Petra is a long way from the Dead Sea and a round trip involves at least six to seven hours of driving.