The Dead Sea needs no introduction, its healing magic is well known to the world, and the influx of tourists continues unabated throughout the year. The revitalizing power of water, mud and air, saturated with salt fumes, heals any ailment and it is difficult to name a disease that would not be relieved by bathing in local water. The needs of tourists are served by cozy resort villages and dozens of hotels located on the shores, which is why it is not always easy for unlucky guests to decide where to stay at the Dead Sea. We will try to understand this issue by considering accommodation options.
Israeli resorts
The resorts near the salt lake are known not only for their medicinal potential, but also for their high prices. To count on a budget holiday on the coast of the Dead Sea is, to say the least, naive.
The famous reservoir washes the shores of two countries at once, so the choice of travelers is offered resorts in Israel and Jordan. Each state has its own specifics: Israel, with its developed tourist infrastructure and multiculturalism, and Jordan, with Muslim traditions and a pronounced oriental flavor. What to give preference to is a matter of personal preference.
Resorts in Israel near the Dead Sea:
- Ein Bokek.
- Ein Gedi.
- Neve Zohar.
- Kibbutz Kalia.
- Metzok Dragot.
- Arad.
- Jerusalem.
Ein Bokek
Israel's premier health resort offering guests all the delights of the vacation life. The warmth and sunshine all year round, 330 days a year, are backed up by the hotel's comfort and excellent healing capabilities. There are enough places to stay at the Dead Sea, however, for the pleasure of living here, you will have to pay a substantial amount. The average bill for a room is 20 thousand rubles per day for two, which is far from everyone's budget.
The resort's infrastructure is formed by a dozen high-class hotels, several health and spa centers, shopping centers, restaurants, bars, shops. You should not count on an active nightlife - people come here to heal, rejuvenate, gain strength, energy and beauty, due to the lack of demand, there are no nightclubs with parties.
But here you can get rid of skin diseases and simply put in order tired skin, heal from diseases of the respiratory organs, cure diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological and urological diseases. A variety of anti-aging, tonic and other programs are offered to beautiful ladies.
The resort itself is compact and you can walk around it in less than an hour. The prices in the shops are high, so it is better to go for shopping on the “mainland”.
In general, it is ideal for a few days' rest, but adherents of an active life will be bored here. For bathers, there are public and private hotel beaches, equipped to a high standard.
Hotels: Crowne Plaza, Royal Hotel Dead Sea, Hodhamidbar, Lot Spa, Isrotel Ganim, Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel, Prima Spa Club, Oasis Dead Sea, David Dead Sea Resort & Spa, HI - Massada Hostel, Herods Dead Sea, Orchid Dead Sea, Leonardo Inn, Royal Dead Sea.
Ein Gedi
A pretty resort area that has grown and developed on tourism. The prices are not so pretentious, therefore, it is suitable as a place to stay at the Dead Sea without high costs. It is focused on a calm and wellness holiday, so you should not expect outstanding entertainment or large-scale events from it. Its main advantage is that Ein Gedi is located next to the reserve of the same name, where you can go on an excursion.
But actually the village is located quite far from the sea - a few kilometers, but don't let the tourists bother - a transfer is organized from the hotels to the beaches. The beaches are quite well-groomed, as elsewhere - sandy, in addition to private hotels, there is a public section of the coast.
Classic set for tourists: SPA, massage, swimming pools, bars and restaurants, shops. For serious treatment, you will have to travel to Ein Bokek, but simple beauty procedures can be done here as well.
Hotels: Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel, Sehatty Resort, Ein Gedi Camp Lodge, HI - Massada Hostel, Rimonim Royal Dead Sea.
Neve Zohar
A small resort settlement that has grown three kilometers south of Ein Bokek. There are few hotels, there are several guest houses with moderate prices by local standards, but rooms must be booked well in advance of the trip. All the rest, who did not take care of where to stay at the Dead Sea in advance, are offered hotel complexes with wellness centers, spa salons, swimming pools and other elements. One hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis.
The infrastructure of the village itself is very modest, but the hotel sector is organized in such a way that everything you need is on the territory of the hotel, for additional funds, of course. In addition to the public beach, there are several areas at the hotels.
Hotels: Zimmer Dora, Beatrice Hospitality, Nadia Hosting Dead Sea, Beatrice Guest House, Rose Dead Sea, Aloni, Gil's Guest Rooms, Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Leonardo Club Hotel, Dalya Zimmer, Desert Inn Apartment.
Kibbutz Kalia
A picturesque village in the northern part of the coast, surrounded by date palm plantations. It is located in an oasis, although tourists are attracted not so much by its beauty and ancient history as by the opportunity to relax by a salt pond for little money.
There is a camping on Kalia beach where you can stay in a tent, which will cost many times less than a hotel room, especially since the weather here is always equally warm and friendly to pilgrims.
The resort entourage is made up of bars and shops, as well as a modern spa center, but apart from leisure on the beach and felting in medicinal mud, there is nothing special to do, the main entertainment of tourists is excursions around the surroundings. There is an archaeological site nearby, where excavations are still underway and where the legendary Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Excursions are organized here, as well as in the desert, where you can ride ATVs. You should definitely go to the Masada Fortress or join the rural tourism.
Hotels: Kalia Kibbutz Hotel.
Metzok Dragot
Metzok Dragot cannot be called a resort even at a stretch; rather, it is a place where you can relatively inexpensively stay for a day or two if resort hotels are not affordable.
The entrance to the local beach is paid, but here you can smear yourself with healing mud and soak up the sun in a calm atmosphere. There is practically no infrastructure, the only entertainment for tourists is a local cosmetics factory, where you can go on an excursion and buy healing creams, ointments and masks.
Of the establishments where to stay at the Dead Sea, only Metzoke Dragot Hostel is presented, but the price of a room is only 2,250 rubles per night.
Arad
It is impossible to ignore this city, even if it is remote from the sea by as much as 25 kilometers. Just half an hour by bus - and you are on the beach, surrounded by the coveted salt waves. Tourists who do not want to overpay hoteliers for rest settle here, especially since the infrastructure and living conditions are many times more diverse, and the choice of housing is huge.
Here you can stay not only in a hotel or hostel, but also in guest houses, apartments and comfortable apartments, or you can rent a whole house. There are transport links to the Dead Sea, buses run regularly throughout the day. Spa centers and medical clinics are also present, prices are noticeably lower for literally everything from shops to treatment and restaurants.
Do not forget about the glory of Arad as the most environmentally friendly city, not only in Israel, but also in the world, which is important for those who suffer from diseases of the respiratory system.
Hotels: Metzoke Dragot Hostel, Masada Holiday, Villa Hahagala, Inbar Hotel, Shimon Street Apartment, Tamar's House, Rom HaTayelet, Mivtsa Lot 39 Apartments, Desert Pearl Holiday Home, Dead Sea Sun Guest House, LeSaNel - Guest House.
Jerusalem
Although Jerusalem is located as much as 35 kilometers from our destination, many tourists choose it as a place to stay at the Dead Sea. It is possible to stay here cheaper, and at the same time combine a therapeutic vacation with a rich excursion program.
It is unnecessary to talk about the tourist merits of the city - there are more than one hundred cult sights here, the choice of housing is also colossal. Regular public transport runs to the Dead Sea, if you wish, you can rent a car and get there on your own, without relying on the will of the carriers. Travel time will be about half an hour.
Hotels: A Little House In Rechavia, The Post Hostel, Royal View, Shani Hotel, New Imperial Hotel, Paamonim Hotel, Agripas Boutique Hotel, Eldan Hotel, Herbert Samuel Hotel, Eyal Hotel by Smart Hotels, Jerusalem Tower Hotel.
Where to stay at the Dead Sea in Jordan
Despite the fact that the Dead Sea stretches along tens of kilometers of Jordanian land, there is only one resort here - the city of Sweimeh. It is located 45 kilometers from the capital of the country, Amman, where you can always visit for excursion purposes.
Sweimeh owns a well-equipped public beach, as well as private beaches at hotels. Both are equipped with sun loungers, showers and other amenities.
As in Israel, there are medical centers and spa complexes. In the Jordanian part of the Dead Sea, you can heal with mineral water, healing mud, oxygen programs and rejuvenating courses of procedures using natural materials and modern technology are also actively used.
Hotels are not cheap, but they compensate for the high cost of high quality services and exquisite interiors; everything you need, including restaurants, bars and shops, is located on the territory of the hotels.
Hotels: Jordan Valley Marriott, Movenpick, Mujib Chalets, Dead Sea Spa Hotel, Holiday Inn Resort, Ramada Resort, Lagoon, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, Russian Pilgrim Residence.
