Last Updated on December 26, 2025 by Home in the World
If you decide to stay out at the Dead Sea when visiting Jordan, you’ll likely find yourself choosing from the handful of resorts that line the coast at the sea’s northern end. And if you want to truly indulge, you may want to splurge on a few nights at the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, widely reputed (among tourists and locals alike) to be the best of all the properties at this unique location.
I only saw the exteriors of the others as we drove past them, so I’m not in a position to compare. But I can certainly attest to the luxury and sophistication of the Kempinski!
The lobby & grounds
My Jordan post already mentions the security measures taken upon our arrival at the property’s unobtrusive gates, and no sooner had we stepped through the metal detector than we had staff members rushing to greet us with cool hand towels and a deliciously refreshing lavender and lemon drink, whose unique sweetly tangy flavour was like nothing I had ever tasted before.
I was struck by the cool, airy sophistication of the lobby; lots of pale stone, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor terrace and beyond to the Dead Sea itself and the rocky hills of the West Bank.
You know you’re staying at a large complex when the receptionist gives you a map at check-in. The property’s discreet and exclusive exterior belies what is effectively a little village of its own that slopes down over a number of terraced levels towards the sea; an oasis of limestone-coloured Babylonian-style buildings and villas, sparkling blue infinity pools, a private beach, waterside dining, a ‘lazy river’, sports & wellness facilities, and sun-drenched lounge terraces – all interspersed with perfectly manicured hedges, lush shrubs, and the ubiquitous date palms.
My room
Wide corridors with a cool stone finish and a constant refreshing scent led us to our interconnecting Superior rooms, which continued the non-carpeted style – a good idea in a place which is hot for a large part of the year.
I appreciated the colour scheme that seemingly (and appropriately) drew on both land and sea elements; tiles, entry walls and cupboards, desks, bed-heads (complete with USB outlets) and bed throws in pale earthy colours, while chairs and bed back lighting added pops of blue.
Superior rooms – the most basic of the rooms on offer at this property – are located in the main building, and have a spacious enclosed balcony or terrace with wooden lattice window that can be opened to look out over the resort and catch glimpses of the Dead Sea.
I meditate every day, and it was so nice to sit out in my own little sanctuary there, with literally nothing but the sound of rustling palms and the smell of a warm summer morning to quieten the mind and remind me how fortunate I was to be in such a place.
Heavy double doors leading off the entrance hallway opened into a huge bathroom with grey stone finish. While the shower cubicle and toilet each have their own separate compartment, these compartments have glass doors, so don’t think about using the bathroom simultaneously with someone else unless you’re on very intimate terms!
One of my favourite bits about the bathrooms here were the amenities. Let’s not forget we’re at the Dead Sea here – a haven for skin treatments due to the properties of the water and mud. And the luxurious, Jordanian-made Trinitae toiletries reflected this.
The soap, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner all contained Dead Sea minerals – and they smelled and felt amazing. I highly recommend lathering yourself in these at the end of a long, hot, sweaty day out in the Jordanian sunshine!
There is even a pop-up counter selling the products in the lobby – in case you have withdrawals once the daily refills come to an end when you check-out. The hotel in fact also has its own entire spa facility – the largest in the Middle East – though I did not try this.
Dining
If you’re staying in the main building like I was, you’ll be able to rack up a few extra steps on the ol’ fitness tracker just by walking to breakfast.
Take the lift down to the lobby level, walk out past the beautifully manicured gardens, past the glistening blue, palm-lined lap pool, down some more steps, across a cobbled thoroughfare, into the stunning Ishtar Building with its exotic lounges and decor, and down another lift, by which time you’ve surely worked up an appetite and are ready for the comprehensive buffet at the Obelisk Restaurant.
In reality it’s only a few minutes’ walk, and it’s worth every step, because when you’re finally sitting on the large outdoor deck tucking into your waffles, halva, toast, cereal, fruit, eggs, bacon (not of the pig variety, mind), rice or any of the other copious options, you realise there are few nicer ways to start the day than by looking out over the ever calming vista of infinity pools, palm trees, the world-famous Dead Sea, and the hazy hills of Israel. On many occasion I found myself wondering: is this real life?
The Obelisk Restaurant also has a lunch and dinner buffet, or you can try one of the numerous other bars, grills and restaurants on offer, many of which provide similarly spectacular waterside views, especially at sunset.
And being a self-contained resort in a relatively isolated area, your best bet is indeed to dine in-house. If you really want to embrace the Middle Eastern vibe, you might even want to have a puff on a shisha.
After some long day trips, I ended up having room service a couple of nights, and decided to order the local Jordanian red wine that was on the menu. If you didn’t know that Jordan produced wine, you’re not alone.
Yet it turns out this Islamic nation, much of which is arid and dusty, actually has quite a long tradition of winemaking; wine was indeed being made in the Holy Land as early as 30 BC. And my Saint George Merlot, grown in the north of the country on the edge of the desert, ended up being the perfect complement to my dinner. To find out more about this innovative winegrower and its history, visit the Saint George website.
Other rooms
During my stay, I was also able to do a short inspection of some of the other rooms and suites at this stunning property – thank you to Mohammad for showing me around. First stop was the Junior Suite in the main building, which was very similar to the Superior room in terms of look and colour scheme, except that you have a bit more space with a small lounge area and larger balcony/terrace. Great for those wanting a little extra room to spread out.
Still in the main building, we moved onto the Executive Suite, which takes space to a new level. While still just one room (i.e. no separate bedroom), it is more of a square than the elongated rectangular shape of the Superior Room and Junior Suite, meaning the bed and lounge/dining area are opposite, rather than adjacent to, each other.
The television and shelf/desk unit acts as a partition of sorts between the two spaces. There is more than enough provision for an extra bed here for those travelling as a larger party.
The bathroom is similar to those of the Superior Room and Junior Suite. But it’s not just inside that you notice the extra space; step outside and you’ll find you have a vast, enclosed terrace – complete with sunloungers and a table for four – at your disposal. Perfect for anyone wanting both space and privacy.
Next, I was whisked off in a golf buggy (just to add to the already relaxed resort vibe) down to the lush surrounds of the ‘village’ area, where villas flank the Ishtar Building over two levels.
Basically, if you want to feel more like you’re staying in a high-rise hotel, stay in the main building (which is also generally cheaper but further from the water), and if you want more of the tropical-oasis-resort feel, be closer to the sea and are happy to pay more, opt for a room or suite in the Ishtar Village.
The buggy stopped outside an Ishtar Superior Room, which is of a pretty standard hotel-room size with desk and lounger, plus a balcony overlooking either the Dead Sea or Babylonian Gardens. The one I was shown had a definite blue colour scheme.
The bathroom was definitely a lot different to those in the main building, with warm, earthy tones and textures, and a semi-circular shower cubicle with frosted glass window. I particularly liked the rough, stony framing of one of the shelving recesses – a stylish nod to this desert region and its unique rocky landscapes.
The final stop was the Ishtar Suite, which is effectively a one-bedroom apartment, with separate living and sleeping areas, not to mention a huge double-basin bathroom. Nestled amongst lush vegetation and overlooking the ever-present Dead Sea, these Babylonian villas are next-level Middle Eastern luxury.
Enjoy the tranquility on your own private terrace, or step out into the oasis-like garden beyond to a secluded, private pool area that is only open to fellow Ishtar Suite guests. I defy anyone to not feel relaxed here.
Final thoughts on the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea
Named after a Mesopotamian goddess, the Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea offers unparalleled luxury and sophistication on the shores of one of the Middle East’s great natural wonders. While it’s definitely not the cheapest property at this unique location, it does offer a number of different accommodation options designed to cater to varying budgets – from basic Superior Rooms all the way through to Royal Villas and a Penthouse.
A big thank you must also go to the wonderful staff – particularly Kristine, Elvie, Lindsay, Whisbelle, Maria, Phoebe, Jessa and Ivan – who made our stay extra special. I could not fault the property in terms of facilities, comfort, cleanliness or service, and it would be my first choice if I ever returned to the Dead Sea.
** This stay was not sponsored in any way; it is a genuine, non-biased review based on my own personal experience **
| KEMPINSKI ISHTAR DEAD SEA |
| DEAD SEA ROAD, SWEIMAH 11194, JORDAN |
Before you go…
Book your stay via the hotel’s official website or your preferred booking platform:
- Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea on Booking.com
- Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea on TripAdvisor
- Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea on Expedia
- Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea on Hotels.com
For more about my trip to Jordan, check out my trip report post. You can also get my free one-page guide containing all the most important information you need to help you plan and enjoy your trip to the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Plus, consider following me on Instagram for more travel content from around the world!
Ready to book your flights to Jordan? I recommend using Skyscanner or Trip.com to find and compare the best fares.
Looking for other hotels in the Middle East region? You may want to read my reviews of: Fraser Suites Doha and Andaz Doha in Qatar, Hyatt Regency Cairo West in Egypt or, a little further afield, Fairmont Baku Flame Towers in Azerbaijan.
For a similar luxury resort experience in a different part of the world, feel free to also read my review of the Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort in Cambodia.
My Hotels section contains comprehensive reviews of several other properties around the world to help you plan your travels.
Like this post? Pin it!
2 thoughts on “Hotel review: Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea”