KEMPINSKI Hotels recently unveiled a new luxury hotel it hopes to develop as the region’s top resort destination – the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, an oasis for complete wellness and relaxation located on the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan.

Easily accessible to tourists from anywhere in the Gulf, it is situated 70km Southwest of Queen Alia International Airport and 55 km Southwest of Amman, capital of the Kingdom of Jordan.
“For millennia, the high salt and mineral content of the Dead Sea has attracted travellers in search of cures and beauty, Cleopatra had caravans of camels deliver Dead Sea water to her palaces in Egypt, and Herod came to Masada to be cured by its minerals. We continue this tradition for modern-day tourists amidst contemporary conveniences and luxury,” said general manager Duncan O’Rourke.
Inspired by the architecture of Babylon during its glory days, the luxury resort was built with local stone, tiles and mosaic and is set amidst gardens of olive trees and palms, dotted with lagoons, waterfalls and private pools. Imagine old-world charm combined with contemporary architecture, he said.
Sprawling along the shores on the Jordan Valley, the resort provides villas and suites that offer luxurious amenities and stunning views of the Dead Sea. With a total of 117 rooms and suites, considered as the largest, and the most equipped in terms of amenities and high-tech facilities in the region, the Ishtar Villas offer the feel of a boutique resort.
Boasting the longest private beach in Jordan, the hotel also features eight outdoor fresh water swimming pools including a kid’s pool, all within a few steps from the rooms and suites.
A variety of exceptional resturants and casual bars bring a new level of culinary sophistication serving tempting international cuisines and a vast array of wines and beverages meticulously complemented with immaculate service and breathtaking views.
One of the hallmarks of Kempinski Hotel Ishtar is the Anantara Spa, that includes treatments using naturally-preserved materials from the Dead Sea.
An additional 201 rooms and suites will open in late-2007
A third Kempsinski hotel will open in Jordan in 2008.