Picolo recommends · Hotel in the Dead Sea, Jordan
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Pools drop level by level towards the shore, so you can swim in fresh water and then walk down to float in the saltiest sea you will ever try.
Stand at the top of the grounds in the late afternoon and the whole resort falls away beneath you: pool after pool in descending tiers, palms between them, and the flat, pale Dead Sea at the bottom. The design takes its cue from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Down at the water, the hotel has a stretch of beach to itself. Floating is effortless here, and the black mud on the shore is part of the ritual. Back up the slope there is a spa and a choice of restaurants for the evening.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
We chose the Ishtar as our base on the Dead Sea because the setting does the work: tiers of water leading down to the shore, and a spa built for long, slow afternoons. It feels like a proper resort rather than a stopover.
It is a large hotel, and weekends bring plenty of visitors, many of them driving down from Amman. If you want the pools quieter, plan your stay for weekdays and expect company at the beach around sunset.
What you get
- Pools on several terraced levels
- Private beach on the Dead Sea
- Large spa
- Several restaurants
- Sunset views over the water
A day at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
- Morning
- An early swim in the upper pools before the sun gets strong.
- Midday
- Lunch in the shade while the heat sits over the valley.
- Afternoon
- A long session in the spa, then a coat of mud by the shore.
- Evening
- A float in the sea as the light turns gold over the far hills.
Location
Dead Sea, Jordan
Open in MapsQuestions about Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Does Kempinski Hotel Ishtar have its own beach?
Yes. The hotel has its own beach on the Dead Sea, where you can float in the salty water and use the mud on the shore.
Is Kempinski Hotel Ishtar busy at weekends?
It can be. The resort is large and weekends draw many guests, so weekdays are calmer if you want space around the pools.
What is special about Kempinski Hotel Ishtar?
The layout: pools arranged in terraces stepping down towards the sea, a design inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, plus a large spa.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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