This is my third time here, and the second time in less than two months. The last time I was at the Movenpick it was during low season. The pools were empty and the ambiance was calm, but not this time round. The resort was fully booked, the ambiance was truly happening, while people seemed to be having a blast... swimming, eating, relaxing and having fun.
An amazing 400 meters below sea level on the shores of the world’s deepest salt lake in a land of history, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea blends ingeniously into its astonishing surroundings and offers guests a luxurious vacation destination. Rooms and suites are located in a two-storey village traditionally designed and built with local stone, set in expansive tropical gardens. The resort also features the award-winning Zara Spa and the healing traditions and therapies that have made the Dead Sea renowned worldwide.
The 5-star Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea is found in a traditional village nestled amongst lush gardens. The resort is set on the northern shores of the Dead Sea, at the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea resort has a total of 346 luxurious rooms, with a balcony or a terrace.
For the first time, I was given a room inside the resorts individual buildings. I took up the long stairs to reach my room on the second floor. A large room, a balcony with view on the gardens, a spacious bathroom, free internet, a sofa and screen... Amenities include air conditioning, high speed Internet connections, satellite TV, direct dial phones, coffee and tea making facilities, hairdryer, mini bar and personal room safe. All of what you may need to enjoy a nice vacation.
During summer, when more people visit, the staff is more attentive, acting more professionally. So we reached at 7pm and decided to head directly for dinner. I was even more surprised by the quality of the food. I've been to this buffet maybe a dozen times already and every time I experience something better with no disappointment.
Al Saraya restaurant is the main dining area at the Movenpick resort, Dead Sea. Located in the main resort building, Al Saraya offers a Mediterranean kitchen ambiance with garden terrace, warm stonework, arched windows and tiled floors. The restaurant offers an all-day à la carte or buffet dining. Enjoy their sumptuous dinner buffet, with Oriental carved market carts and live cooking stations. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available.
Other than the wide choices that satisfy every craving, the meat was so juicy and tender, the homemade fish fingers were exquisite, the rice was well cooked, the salad was fresh and crunchy, the steamed vegetables were well seasoned and tender... Everyone was amazed by the quality of food. The only thing I'll really work on improving are the desserts. I have never been a fan of their desserts: creamy, heavy, lacking body and taste and surely not tasty. I'm not sure if the chef is the problem or is it mass producing that leads to low quality?
The resort's restaurants: Al Suraya, Luigi’s, The Grill, Chopsticks, the Beach Lounge, Al Khayyam Bar and Hanna Lounge, Valley Café and Bar, The Splash and Juice Bar.
We all decided to meet at 8am the next morning for a swim in the Dead Sea so I worked on some and went to bed early. I had a good night's sleep while listening to a music channel on TV.
I liked my room:
- The rooms are not too luxurious but nice
- The room was not too warm
- Large wood green doors separate the room from the bathroom
- Large bed
- A working desk and a sofa.
- An individual balcony for every room
- Colored slippers
- Trinitae, locally produced amenities from the Dead Sea, are offered
- Large LCD TV screens
Relaxing my senses and enjoying the sunrise, I listened to SRG Swiss jazz musical channel while Jordan was waking up on this beautiful Sunday morning. I jumped into my swimming trunks and walked down the hill towards the Dead Sea.
Breakfast at Movenpick is as good as it should be. A wide choice of tasty bites proposed in a fresh ambiance. I've tried it all before and enjoy it more every time. After all, as they say, the Movenpick Amman serves the best food of all the five Movenpick hotels in the country and I think this reputation is true.
Fully booked, the main breakfast area couldn't welcome us so we were invited to the ground floor to Al-Mashrabiya restaurant. Almost the same choices were proposed in a calmer and better looking atmosphere - it felt less 'resortish'. The sumptuous breakfast buffet offered a wide range of tasty dishes and specialties divided into more than 10 different serving stations: from oven fresh bread, pastry to yoghurt, refined cheeses and their famous Swiss Birchermuesli as well as a whole section of traditional Arabic dishes. Egg dishes and pancakes were prepared exactly to your liking at no additional charge.
I enjoyed the choice of cereals, the organic corner and the healthy tower, as well as the choice of beans and variety of hot dishes. The eggs were well done, non watery, well seasoned and not oily. The croissant was enjoyable to eat, not chewy and not fatty. The most important thing is that it didn’t give me a heartburn. The labneh was really good; its consistency was good, close to the ones we have in Lebanon. The bread was crunchy and fresh, produced on the same day. The fruits were freshly cut and served.
The main issue, which is a huge issue, year after year is the service. Yes, the service in this hotel is bad, unprofessional and not up to the standard of such an establishment, and the proofs are endless.
I stayed at the hotel for 24hours, I came and left and a tray of empty plates my neighbors left outside his room remained there. At breakfast, the dirty plates were never taken away until you call someone to do so. Coffee is like nonexistent, you have to beg for it. Ask for a spoon, it might never reach your table. Smiling, I'm not sure they know what it actually means...
Entertainment to fill your day: Recreational facilities include the beach, beach lounge infinity pool, heated winter pool, summer beach pool, children’s pool, playground, Dana Children’s Activity Center, Jacuzzi, solarium, tennis courts, beach volley ball and a large fitness room. You will be definitely enjoy the rich countryside surrounding the place.
This morning, and thanks to my friend Najib, we went into a private area to enjoy a bubbling jacuzzi. A beautiful space that felt like a secret garden, planted in colors surrounding a large jacuzzi. Shaped like an Irish clove, we enjoyed an hour of relaxation in the jacuzzi.
Before leaving the hotel, we met the lemonade guy: Lemonade is freshly served at the entrance of the hotel. Prepared by a typical traditional guy, they are fresh and tasty with a light whitish color. I then approached him for the recipe: Start by blending the lemons with their skin -as is. Add fresh milk (yes, milk- this is why the outcome is light and whitish yellow in color). To diminish the bitterness of the lemon peel, add some water and , sugar and enjoy. A rich lemony/sweet taste that will put a refreshed smile on your face.
Three visits already and maybe more to come... Every time I visit this hotel I discover something new and this makes my stay unique and enjoyable each time. If you're visiting the Dead Sea on a romantic trip or with the family, Movenpick is a good choice.
