Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea *****

The Mövenpick Resort & Spa fuses in with the spellbinding surroundings of the Jordanian Desert. Ancient stone fortresses offer the inspiration for its architecture, and the resort has been built in a traditional style using local materials. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and unique to the area. It boasts sunshine all year round and has dry, non-polluted air.

The Mövenpick Resort & Spa offers two tennis courts, a gymnasium, a heated  winter pool and a summer pool with an artificial sandy beach. The luxurious Sanctuary Zara Spa has been built in keeping with the traditions of Islamic art. Due to its scarcity, water was an important part of the Muslim world, which is reflected in the spa’s decorations including mosaics and wave motifs. Ornate Islamic wooden shades are utilised to control light in the courtyards and treatment rooms. There are indoor and outdoor Dead Sea pools with varying salt concentrations and massage jets. A sublime terrace pool overlooks the Dead Sea. The spa offers 22 mud and treatment rooms including a four-room VIP suite and over 70 treatments including body wraps, massages and scrubs, anti-ageing facials and effective toning treatments.

Most of the 340 rooms and suites are located in two-storey village complexes. The relaxing decor is in warm colours, richly textured textiles and rattan. Pottery and wrought iron accessories are influenced by ancient artefacts. Every room has its own balcony with mashrabiyya woodwork and sculptural details.

There are many dining options at the resort, which has seven restaurants and bars. Arches and candle-lit niches add to the privacy at The Grill where fine dining is the forté. Enjoy the ‘live-cooking’ stations at Al Saraya where a large selection of buffet and à la carte Middle Eastern and international dishes are prepared. For a sophisticated setting, choose Chopsticks where the chef will cook a wok version of a Mongolian barbecue. A traditional Arabian qahwah (coffee house) is the inspiration behind the Valley Café’s intimate atmosphere.

Jordan boasts a wealth of sightseeing opportunities. Float in the Dead Sea and marvel at the surreal situation. View the well-preserved Roman city at Jerash and the Byzantine mosaics at Madeba. And there is Petra, the rose-red jewel in Jordan’s crown. Over 2,000 years old, the ancient city of the Nabateans is stunning. Jordanian towns boast excellent markets, jewellery and craft shops. Arab and Muslim imagery are reflected in Hebron glass, embroidery, mother-of-pearl boxes, earthenware, basket and carpet weaving. There is expertly crafted silver jewellery, brass and copperware. You can find leather hassocks and kaftans, hand-embroidered in gold and silver thread. Amman has an excellent gold and jewellery market.