Dead Sea, Jordan

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | October 24, 2022

https://www.weekendnotes.com/dead-sea-jordan/

Eight women covered in mud laughing exaltingly in the bright Middle Eastern sun with the scent of saltwater wafting in each breeze and the feel of warm sand beneath our feet over 6,000 miles from home during our first visit to the Dead Sea. How in the world did we get here? And how can you have the same experience – or better now that we have handy tips for you to utilize?

During our 10-day press trip, courtesy of Visit Jordan and sponsored by IFWTWA, we spent a couple of nights at the fabulous Hilton on the Dead Sea, the Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa.

This multi-building, multi-restaurant multi-level, multi-pool complex included two elevators to reach the Dead Sea, located 400 meters below sea level and reportedly the lowest place on earth. It takes almost ten minutes to get from the back door of the hotel to step into the Dead Sea and is not handicapped accessible (despite the elevators, there are multiple sets of stairs in between).

With the world’s lowest place comes the world’s lowest roads. On the Jordanian side, that’s Highway 65, at 393m (1,289ft) below sea level. On the Israeli side, it’s Highway 90, a longer road, at 393m (1,290ft) deep.

We arrived directly from Aqaba, about a four-hour drive, yet were early for check-in so left our bags with the bell staff and were directed to the Bacchus restaurant, their on-site Italian eatery. With fresh from the oven pizza and a more typically American menu than we’d seen in a week, we feasted on steak and potatoes, bruschetta, four cheese pizza, and a variety of pasta and salad dishes.

By then, our rooms were ready, and we were able to check in, unpack, and don our bathing suits for our first visit to the Dead Sea. On your journey from the back door of the hotel, you’ll pass the picturesque T-shaped water feature, several family pools on different levels and take two elevators and multiple stairs to reach the seaside. You’ll feel like you’re working off that meal with those 400 meters.

Pro Tip: Pick up a beach towel at the family pool. They don’t make them available seaside.