The Evason Ma'In Hot Springs resort near the Dead Sea is not only located in one of the longest-used springs, but it's also one of Jordan's most luxurious off-the-beaten-path destinations. Tourists are lured by nearby attractions - the rose-red city of Petra and Wadi Rum, the photogenic sandstone canyon used as a backdrop for the cinematic classic Lawrence of Arabia.
Lying 264 metres below sea level, the Evason Ma'In Hot Springs is a rare find. Sheltered by sun-scorched rocks and rugged cliffs, the hotel and adjoining Six Senses spa are located in the middle of a cauldron of cascading waterfalls and a series of natural steaming pools and geothermal baths. The waters themselves are a testament to the power of the thermal water cure. King Herod reputedly took a holiday in this secretive place beside the Dead Sea for a spa, a soak and a soothing foot rub. Not to be outdone, the great emperors of the Roman Empire also travelled from far and wide to experience the health-restoring benefits of Ma'In's waters.
Despite the Dead Sea's long history as a great escape for the rich and famous of the Levant, its springs and waterfalls haven't lost any of their magnetism. Today's visitors to the hot springs can be drenched by one of three gushing waterfalls, while baking in thermal pools and natural cave saunas. The clear waters can reach toe-wrinkling temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius and feed straight into the nearby Dead Sea. Don't be fooled by the perpetual blue skies, however, as temperatures from November to February can be surprisingly cold, and snow in the nearby capital, Amman, is not unheard of.
With all these temptations on the doorstep, checking into the 97-room hotel itself can seem like a minor inconvenience. But don't let its exterior deceive you: despite its Soviet-bloc facade - a hangover from its former tenants - the interior has been given a multimillion-dollar rustic chic makeover and is every bit the palatial experience that you'd hope for in the middle of such an unforgiving environment.
Inside, the hotel has a variety of rooms and suites, some with private bathtubs, spa areas and access to a wine cellar. Most rooms have light wood floors, marble bathrooms and balconies, with vistas of the rugged terrain and - if you're lucky - views of the waterfalls themselves. Large flat-screen televisions, iPod docking stations and DVD players are standard - not that you'll be spending much time in your room.
Lauded as an eco-resort - environmental tourism is one of Jordan's main selling points - the Evason Ma'In Hot Springs has nature at its heart and the green fingers to prove it. The hotel has its own vegetable garden, a water purification system to cut down on bottled water, and masseurs utilise nature's bounty for the onsite Six Senses spa. Treatments focus on the therapeutic qualities of the local waters, and locally produced oils and Dead Sea salts.
Still, any visit would be incomplete without a visit to the nearby Dead Sea. Its electric blue waters and sun-pickled salt flavour remain as popular as ever with locals, tour groups and day trippers, and for good reason. When you're floating like a king - as though on an invisible inflatable rubber throne thanks to the waters' extraordinarily high salt content - no place on earth can replicate its briny cobalt charms. King Herod knew a good thing when he saw it.