Wellness in Jordan: How to have a luxury trip that soothes the mind, body and soul
As our car winds its way down Jordan’s mountain roads towards the Dead Sea, rather than continuing towards the luxury resorts that line the coast, we take a turn and head down a less travelled road.
After a few minutes of driving down a tree-lined road we arrive at the Ma’in Hot Springs Hotel nestled in the valley in the shadow of a towering waterfall that tumbles from the craggy mountain over caves, with the spray forming rainbows in the morning sunshine.
It’s here that you find the Ma’in Hot Springs – one of Jordan’s finest wellness offerings and still a well-kept secret off the tourist trail.
Just over 260m below sea level, the waters that rush into the thermal pools here range from a very pleasant 45C up to a sweltering 60C and contain minerals including potassium, magnesium and calcium. Soaking in the warm waters and standing beneath the falls is believed to deliver a range of therapeutic benefits – and also feels wonderfully relaxing. As we bathe in the springs and explore the caves, there are just a handful of locals around us enjoying a soak or heading to the hotel for relaxing treatments like mud body wraps or Dead Sea salt polishes.
Some of Jordan’s wellness offerings are far better known. Lining the coast of the Dead Sea are a slew of five-star hotels and luxury accommodations including a Hilton, Marriott and Crowne Plaza. And my home for a couple of nights is the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar.
With 9 swimming pools, stunning views across the Dead Sea, and design inspired by The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, wellness is at the core of this resort. There are 331 spacious rooms and suites spread out across the main building and village area that’s filled with greenery.
Dining comes in the form of five restaurants, serving everything from Mediterranean to International dishes, including the recently renovated The Edge that looks out over the resort and the Dead Sea beyond.'
The spa is one of the largest in the Middle East offering exquisite treatments including massages, facials, body exfoliations and wraps. Across the "Ishtar Baths" guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirlpool, Dead Sea pools, a sauna, a steam room, showers, a hydro-pool, a hammam and Tepidarium heated lounges.
But it’s the Dead sea itself that really steals the show. The Kempinski has its own private beach where you can float in the mineral-rich waters after indulging in a complete Dead Sea experience. This involves covering yourself in the mineral-rich, thick dark mud before luxuriating in the Sea itself for optimal effect. Aside from the physical benefits – expect to walk away with silky smooth skin and achy muscles eased – the landscape around the Dead Sea is deeply spiritual. It’s a place where you can meditate or simply relax and take pause.
For a taste of luxury in the city, Amman boasts its own array of five-star hotels where excellent restaurants, rooftop bars and spacious rooms create an elevated Middle Eastern city break. My two nights in the capital were spent at the Fairmont, which is conveniently located on the Fifth Circle and boasts stunning views across the ‘white city’ with its traditional limestone houses sitting alongside the gleaming glass of the commercial district.
After a day spent exploring the sites of the capital city, Abdali Boulevard is the ideal spot to enjoy dinner and is particularly buzzing at the weekend. There is a range of high end shops and restaurants to choose from, but we head to the JR Wine Experience to taste some of the oldest wines in the world with fine dining Amman-style. We sip on wines produced in the basalt desert of Jordan – including a Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Viognier – while learning about the country’s winemaking heritage.
You may not expect to find luxury out in the wilds of the desert but lying under a fluffy duvet in a cosy bubble tent feels truly divine. After a dinner of traditional Jordanian cuisine and sitting around the fire, bedtime is under the stars – these tents have fully transparent ceilings so you can gaze upon constellations and planets as you drift off to sleep. As well as a comfy bed, warm showers, and a sofa looking directly out across the desert sands, the tents even have personal Jacuzzis for a soak under the stars.
The next morning we rise early and ride camels out across the desert to catch sunrise. Watching the vast desert ease from the chill of the morning to the golden reds and oranges of the new day is a magical experience – this truly is wellness for the mind, body and soul.
How to book it:
Explore Worldwide’s 8-night Cycle Jordan covers 118 miles over five days. You’ll cycle through lunar landscapes, along ancient spice trails and discover historic sites. Along the way refuel with delicious local food and refreshing Bedouin rea,. Pedal from Shobak to Petra, camp under the stars in Wadi Rum, float on the Dead Sea and observe colourful underwater life with a snorkelling trip on the Red Sea.