Resorts aren’t usually on my itinerary, but every now and then, work throws a curveball. Yesterday was one such day as our group headed to the Grand East Resort in Jordan for a dip in the Dead Sea, among other diversions.
This was day two of our adventure. We’d already toured the Royal Automobile Museum (you can get the full lowdown here) and even tried to track down Moses before rolling up at the resort around 3 PM.
The Grand East Resort: First Impressions
Our local partners had booked the place, and I have to say, it surpassed expectations. That said, there were some unique factors at play. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has driven down tourism, leading to some pretty sweet deals.
The resort wasn’t deserted, but it was far from packed, maybe 25% capacity at best. Most guests were locals or visitors from nearby Arab countries, with a smattering of Russians thrown into the mix.
I’d estimate the resort could easily hold over 2000 guests, with facilities to match.
Facilities at the Grand East Resort, Dead Sea
The rooms were spacious, with balconies—a bonus for the smokers among us. The amenities didn’t stop there. Beyond the usual bars and restaurants, there was an abundance of Filipino staff. This did raise the question: why import so many workers when the country is grappling with unemployment? But that’s a topic for another time.
Outdoors, there were not one, but three massive swimming pools, each with its own vibe. All were situated along the route to the Dead Sea, which was a bit of a trek. We settled at pool number two, primarily because it had a bar. There was something surreal about sipping Pina Coladas in a pool with a clear view of Israel and its never-ending troubles on the horizon.
Feeling particularly adventurous, I went for a double vodka slushy—keeping it classy, as always. The day wrapped up with a buffet dinner at $25 per head, followed by some belly dancing entertainment.
Unfortunately, the belly dancing was somewhat overshadowed by an overly flamboyant guest who decided to join in. Pro tip: if you’re going to do this, keep it short and stick to one song. That’s the rule I follow when I’m singing in Ermita (you can read more about that experience here).
And the Dead Sea?
Naturally, the highlight of our visit was swimming in the Dead Sea, and we weren’t about to miss out. It took about 30 minutes to make our way down to the shore, navigating a fair number of rocks before reaching what could loosely be called a “beach.”
Surreal is the word that comes to mind when describing the experience—though “weird” would also fit. This isn’t your typical beach and had a vibe reminiscent of the “beach” in Tiraspol (which I’ve covered in depth here).
We took a quick dip, noting the somewhat medicinal feel of the water, which suggested that moderation might be wise. We didn’t apply the same caution to our poolside drinks, though, taking our time to thoroughly enjoy them.
Final Thoughts on the Grand East Resort, Jordan
All in all, the Grand East Resort was a fantastic place to unwind for the evening. What made it particularly enjoyable was the scarcity of tourists—a win for us, though less so for Jordan’s tourism industry.
As we continued our journey to Petra, Wadi Rum, and even SOFEX (more on that here), the Grand East Resort provided a more than adequate stopover. Whether it’ll be part of future itineraries remains to be seen.
Grand East Resort Address: Dead Sea,
Jordan Valley Hwy,
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Drive to the Dead Sea and look for signs (not the divine kind).
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