It was dark and rainy when I arrived at the Mövenpick Resort on the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan, so there was no chance of seeing the famous water until morning. When I woke it was still raining, but the skies cleared for about half an hour—just enough time to throw on a bathing suit and make an early-morning float.
The Dead Sea is not actually a sea but a hypersaline lake bordering Jordan to the east and Israel to the west. As the lowest exposed point on Earth, roughly 1,300 feet below sea level, its extremely high salt concentration makes the water remarkably buoyant. Floating is effortless—sinking is nearly impossible—which makes the experience uniquely fun and relaxing.
Floating in the Dead Sea © Ellen Clark
Beyond the novelty of effortless buoyancy, the Dead Sea has long been prized for its health benefits. It is about eight times saltier than typical seawater and packed with minerals that can be beneficial to the skin. The therapeutic qualities of its waters have been known for millennia—Aristotle commented on them, and during the Roman period Herod the Great established an early health resort on its shores.
Another notable local phenomenon is the way the atmosphere around the Dead Sea filters some ultraviolet rays, which can reduce certain skin risks. That day, though, the weather was changeable, and with ominous clouds rolling back in I climbed out of the water and headed to the spa.
The resort’s award-winning ZARA Spa spans nearly 20,000 square feet, making it one of the largest spas in the Middle East. The facility offers a wide range of treatments and amenities designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.
A gentleman in traditional white attire greeted me at the spa entrance and accompanied me to the front desk, where a smiling Jordanian receptionist welcomed me and gave a quick tour. My booking included unlimited day use of the spa facilities: a flotation pool with a 28 percent Dead Sea salt concentration, a fitness studio, wet and dry steam rooms, a relaxation lounge with Dead Sea views, and a juice bar. Given the unsettled weather, spending the day at the spa sounded like an excellent plan.
In the locker room I changed into a fluffy white robe and plastic sandals, then settled into the calm, softly decorated lounge to wait for my therapist. While sipping herbal tea, a Middle Eastern woman with glowing skin and dark eyes introduced herself as Hannah and led me to a tiled treatment room. I had chosen a Natural Dead Sea Salt Scrub, a Dead Sea Mud Wrap, and an Algomega Warm Facial.
The session began with steam. Emerging from the steam room I felt relaxed and pliant, ready for the salt scrub. The purpose of the scrub is to exfoliate the skin so it can better absorb the benefits of the mud wrap. Hannah worked coarse Dead Sea salt over almost every inch of my body. It was abrasive at first, but after a few minutes I surrendered to the sensation and imagined layers of dead skin sloughing away.
Rinsing the salt crystals off proved more challenging than expected, so I returned briefly to the steam room to soften any remaining grains. I admit I am not the most stoic spa guest, so I was relieved when Hannah eventually led me back to the treatment table.
Next came the warm Dead Sea mud application. Hannah explained that the mud contains a distinctive blend of more than 20 minerals that nourish skin cells and act as a natural moisturizer. The mud’s fine particles function as a deep exfoliant and cleansing agent, helping remove impurities and excess oils. The application produced a warm, tingling sensation that felt both soothing and invigorating.
Once I was fully covered in mud, I was wrapped in plastic and left to rest in dimmed lighting. After a period of quiet, Hannah returned, unwrapped me, and I rinsed off the mud in preparation for the final treatment.
The Algomega facial began with cooling lotions applied to the face and neck, followed by a warm mask made from two algae rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Hannah explained that the combination nourishes and revitalizes skin. She left while the mask set, returning about 15 minutes later to remove it in one piece. After applying a finishing cream, the treatment was complete.
My skin felt softer and more vibrant than it had in a long time. Physically and mentally refreshed, I made my way to the Tranquility Lounge. Outside the window it was still raining, but I didn’t mind. I settled into a lounge chair with a cup of tea and reflected on how perfectly the spa had turned a rainy morning at the edge of the Dead Sea into one of the most restorative experiences of my trip.
ZARA Spa The Dead Sea
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Sweimeh, Dead Sea Road
Amman 11180, Jordan
tel 962 5 356 11 11