An essential stop on a Jordan family road trip is to experience the salty floating waters of the Dead Sea. But where will you find the best resorts for families for relaxation, as well as kid-friendly facilities and the best access to the Dead Sea?
In this post, we will look specifically at family resorts, but don’t miss our guidance on taking kids into the Dead Sea – some very sensible precautions to take into account if you would like to make the Dead Sea special for everyone.
Whilst many will make a day trip from Amman just for the spas, it’s well worth scheduling at least two days on your itinerary to enjoy everything on offer at these luxury resorts.
An overnight stop will suffice if you just want that classic Dead Sea floating photo and try the mud without indulging further in all a resort stay has to offer. Very few options realistically work for families without staying at a nice resort – this is one to save up and splurge on as part of your Jordan itinerary.
Things to note booking a Dead Sea Resort in Jordan
- Taxes and charges. Yep, these will always get you if you don’t read the fine print, expect 8% Government Sales Tax and 10% service charge to be added to your final bill.
- Breakfast is not necessarily included in the quoted price. There’s no alternative dining nearby along the Dead Sea so you may want this included.
- Kids Club may be at the resort, but check if pre-booking and additional payment is required. They are not necessarily free, nor staffed all the time and may need a parent to stay if a child is below a certain age.
- There can be quite a steep descent and many stairs or ramps down to the Dead Sea itself. Bear this in mind with little legs, the more southern of the resorts have a gentler descent.
Best Family Resorts at the Dead Sea, Jordan
We are going to cover them in order from North to South along the Jordan Dead Sea coast:
Example dates are given at the time of original publishing on the weekend during early 2019. Prices can be highly variable, however, and it depends on how many you have to sleep in your group.
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dead Sea (4*)
Ramada sits much further to the north of the Dead Sea than most of the other Dead Sea Resort offerings in Jordan. The private beach frontage is one of the largest, with a gentle slope and easy walk-in access. Note that the beach isn’t immediately connected to the resort, but a free shuttle runs between the two.
There are 161 rooms and suites and a choice of five dining outlets, and an onsite spa and gym. Kids will enjoy the two swimming pools (one heated in the winter with slides), kids club and large children’s playground.
What does it cost to stay at Ramada by Wyndham Dead Sea?
Families will need to look at interconnecting rooms as the rooms here are smaller than average; expect prices to start at $135 USD per night, per room plus taxes.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea (5*)
Yes, a 5-star Holiday Inn! You will find a great treat with this relatively new offering from the Dead Sea. Far from the motor inn image, you might have, this luxurious Dead Sea resort includes a private beach, sauna and hot tub, as well as three pools and a luxurious spa.
There are three dining choices and a children’s playground, albeit not huge. Kids Club comes at an additional charge. Access to the beach is down a wooden stairway. Your little ones can take advantage of their “Kids Stay Free” policy for those under 12 years old, sharing with an adult and eating from the kids’ menu.
What does it cost to stay at Holiday Inn Resort & Spa Dead Sea?
Family rooms with a large bed and fold-out couch can sleep four, starting at around $250 USD per night. You may also squeeze into a suite or twin room (two standard doubles and a sofa) for as little as $115 USD per night, plus taxes and charges. Extra Beds add 45JOD per night ($63 USD).
Check price and availability on booking.com
Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa (5*)
Hilton is one of the more luxurious offerings, also reflected in the price. There are seven on-site dining options, including a rooftop lounge for those stunning sunset views.
Families can enjoy a splash pad area, a children’s playground, extensive pools, and a colourful kids club. You are up high on the hillside here, so expect a trek by stairs or a ramp down to the waterfront.
What does it cost to stay at Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa?
Families of 4 would need to look at two interconnecting bedrooms, which start from $165 USD per room, per night plus taxes. A family of 3 could fit in a suite starting from $300 USD per room per night plus taxes (+60JOD/$85USD for an extra bed). We believe the double beds are quite generously sized, and an adult and child could share; note that two Children below 6 years old or one below 12 years old stay with no extra charge.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa (5*)
Here, you will find saltwater and freshwater pools cascading down the hillside, surrounded by hotel rooms overlooking the pools. One of the pools has kids’ slides and is heated for year-round enjoyment.
There are eight restaurants to choose from, a children’s playground and a kids club (additional charge). There’s also an additional indoor pool as part of the extensive spa facilities (extra charges) – this would be one of our top picks for a luxurious Dead Sea spa.
What does it cost to stay at Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa?
A superior King Room can fit 3 from $310 USD per room per night plus taxes. A Duplex Suite offering two bedrooms and extensive space for a family of four will set you back $600 USD per room per night plus taxes.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea (5*)
This expansive resort stretches over the hillside around a lush garden and village-like setting. There are nine on-site restaurants as well as over 3,000 square feet of pools spread over several locations across a hillside.
Children can enjoy a playground and kids club (additional charge) and a heated family pool for year-round use. The infinity pool overlooking the Dead Sea is for adults only. Be prepared for a lot of walking and steep descent to the rocky beachfront.
Zara Spa is one of the biggest and best to try, with extensive treatment rooms.
You can read a detailed Dead Sea Resort & Spa review here.
What does it cost to stay at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea?
Expect a 2-bedroom family unit to cost $620 USD per room per night plus taxes. Alternatively, 2 King size rooms connected, you are looking at $445 USD per night plus taxes. Room prices vary with mountain and sea views and whether you’re in the main hotel building or the villas spread throughout the hotel. Not all rooms have the capacity to add extra bedding, which costs 35JOD per night for those under 12 years old or 45JOD for over 12’s.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea (5*)
Palatially spread over the hillside in a low rise development, there are 9 freshwater pools to enjoy spread among the villas, including one dedicated kid’s pool. As well as a luxurious spa, guests can also join in with yoga and meditation classes. All rooms boast sea views.
Your little guests can join the Ishtar Kids Club – though note a 10JOD charge applies but includes snacks and drinks.
You can see a full family review of the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea here
What does it cost to stay at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea?
We would recommend two interconnecting superior rooms – these start from $338 USD per room, per night plus taxes. an Ishtar Suite could fit 3 from $740 USD per room per night plus taxes.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Dead Sea Spa Hotel (4*)
This is a great mid-range budget option with its own spa and several outdoor pools, boasting slides and heated year-round, and a kids’ splash castle pool. The spa itself is famous for its rheumatology and dermatology treatments and an indoor pool.
Unlike many other resorts set well back from the sea, you will find it’s only a short walk to the Dead Sea frontage. It does have a slightly more dated feel than the other resorts nearby, but this is also reflected in the pricing
What does it cost to stay at Dead Sea Spa Hotel?
A Royal Suite to comfortably fit 4 with King Bed and sofa combo starts from $445 USD per room per night plus taxes. Otherwise, interconnecting standard twins start at $100 USD per room per night plus taxes and room rates, including breakfast, making this one of the best value offerings for a family group.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa (5*)
The most southerly of all the Dead Sea resorts, this is the first you come to if you are approaching from Petra/Aqaba, and the closest to Mount Nebo.
Known for its huge central pool and surrounding rooms, there’s also a stunning indoor pool (additional charge as part of the spa). Five on-site restaurants give plenty of variety for dining
The approach to the beach here is flatter than many with some sun loungers and a volleyball court on the actual shorefront. There is a children’s playground but the kids club costs extra.
What does it cost to stay at Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa?
You could pick up two superior interconnecting rooms to sleep 4 from around $250 USD per night plus taxes. The double beds in a twin are generously sized for an adult to fit with a small child. Extra beds are charged at 43JOD per night.
Check price and availability on booking.com
Other non-resort options for staying at the Dead Sea Jordan
Alternative accommodation options really are limited. You will find that you want the convenience of the facilities to access the Dead Sea waters and then shower off; you really will want the convenience of staying in a resort.
There are a few more apartment-style options opening up that you can try, including:
- Porto Dead Sea (3*)– a very new apartment complex to the southern end of the resorts giving immediate Dead Sea access. The rooms are small but have a bedroom and living area, a fold-out sofa, and a shared pool and spa.
- Samarah Resort (3*) – very new in 2021 so we’ve not reviewed it yet but gives you the option of an apartment in a resort setting that sleeps up to 4.
You could also consider privately rented villa-style properties in the immediate area:
Search all online booking platforms below
How to get to the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea resort area is only a one-hour drive from the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) and 50 minutes from Amman, making it a really convenient location to stop, even just for a weekend.
- You can book your transfers from Amman to the Dead Sea here
- Or try Welcome Pickups for a door-to-door service
You should expect to pay the equivalent of around €40 to €50.
If a private transfer feels a little out of budget, we explain all your transport options Amman to Dead Sea here.
Driving onward to other parts of the country?
- Petra is 237 kilometres away, approximately 3.5 hours if you drive direct, but longer if you stop at some of the interesting castles and towns along the way – we explain all your Dead Sea to Petra driving route options here.
- Aqaba, in the very south of Jordan, is 272 kilometres away, approximately 3 hours down the Jordan Valley Highway.
- Make sure to read our top tips for driving in Jordan before hiring a car
Have you stayed at any of these resorts with your family? We would love to hear more about your experiences and what special facilities they have for the kids.
Comment below or join the conversation on our Family Travel in the Middle East facebook group.
More reading to help you prepare for your Jordan Trip
- Classic 5 day Jordan road trip itinerary
- Need to know facts, Jordan with Kids
- Best Wadi Rum Desert Camps for families
- When is the best time to visit Jordan
- What is appropriate to wear in Jordan?
Jordan Guide Book
For a first-timer looking to visit Jordan, we can highly recommend you download the Step Into Jordan Guide & Itineraries.
This handy digital guide is just $19.99USD and includes:
- An interactive downloadable map
- 36 detailed pages of planning guidance
- Multiple suggested itineraries (10, 7 and 3 days)
- Tips from an expert
- Accommodation recommendations
Where to next? Check out the best of Egyptian Red Sea Resorts here, or heading to the Arabian Peninsula, here are the best beach resorts for families in the United Arab Emirates
Disclosures: This is in no way sponsored by any of the resorts mentioned. This page contains affiliate links which earn us a commission at no additional cost to you if a qualifying purchase is made. You can read our full website terms of use here.
