Jordan

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Located in one of the city’s best residential neighborhoods and near the business district, the Four Seasons Amman has been the top place to stay in Jordan’s capital since it opened. Two security checkpoints greet guests upon arrival, but fear not, this is a standard safety precaution for the region. Once inside the soaring marble lobby, familiar Four Seasons touches like spectacular floral arrangements and an accommodating staff are more welcoming.

The fifteen-story building contains 192 guest rooms and suites as well as grand indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, three restaurants (one Asian, one Italian and one Middle Eastern), two lounges and a ballroom that is popular for weddings. While the hotel will arrange for tennis and other sports at the King Hussein Sport City and for horseback riding at the nearby Arabian Horse Center, the hotel caters more to a business crowd than a leisure one. From breakfast to late-night, you will see groups of men, many in the robes that indicate they are most likely visiting from Saudi Arabia or the Gulf states, gathering to discuss deals. The guest rooms and public spaces are extremely comfortable in that reliable Four Seasons way, but unlike their properties in Bali or Florence, not particularly memorable.

Among its claims to fame, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar has the largest private beach in Jordan (A rock beach, not sand) and one of the biggest spas in the Middle East. (It regularly hosts foreign dignitaries looking for R&R on their regional visits.) The main building, which has a glass-fronted lobby with spectacular views across the Dead Sea to Israel, welcomes guests with a major wow factor. There are 269 guest rooms, 76 suites and two royal villas on the seaside property. Guest rooms are extremely comfortable and come with modern bathrooms, amenities and balconies that face the Dead Sea. To get an idea of the scale of the resort, think of Las Vegas hotels. While the beach looks close from the lobby, guests will either need to take a golf cart or walk 10 to 15 minutes downhill. It is easy to get lost at this resort, and though there is signage and property maps, the directions can be confusing. You’ll likely find yourself regularly checking in with hotel staff who can walk you through the posted property maps and point out the locations of the nine pools and eight restaurants. 

Highlights of a stay are time spent in the water and in the spa. For centuries, the Dead Sea has been known to have healing properties. It’s best to soak in the water for ten minutes (avoid splashing or getting any water near your eyes) and then with the salt water still on you, slather yourself with black Dead Sea mud; let the mud dry for 15-20 minutes before getting back into the Sea to wash it off. (Those with dry skin should skip it on the face.) A similar treatment with a Dead Sea Salt scrub can be performed in the resort’s sprawling, 107,639 square foot Ishtar Spa by Resense. The Spa has 20 treatment rooms, six outdoor treatment and relaxation areas, Tepidarium heated lounges, the Dead Sea pool and the largest hydro-pool in the Dead Sea. Prices are comparable to those at the best spas in New York and London, but so is the service. Contact us for advice on the best rooms to book.