Experience the Real Dead Sea at Biankini
07May
by Melissa Mertzman
In late April, after driving down a long, bumpy road near the Dead Sea, my family and I were greeted at a parking lot by a giant T-Rex dinosaur. Probably not what one would expect to see at the Dead Sea. But then again, Biankini is no ordinary Dead Sea resort, and the owner, Dina Dagan, is no ordinary woman.
The Biankini Dead Sea resort is tucked away on the northern end of the Dead Sea, next to Kalya Beach. Prior to its creation, owner and founder Dina Dagan was working at a restaurant-bar that she owned in Jerusalem, also called Biankini. For several weeks, there was a suspicious man that she had observed with concern and at times confronted, until ultimately, he placed a bomb in her establishment. While most people might just shout and run for cover, Dina took action, grabbing the bomb with her very own hands and carrying it outside to save many lives. That’s the kind of spirit Dina has, and indeed it is reflected in every aspect of the Biankini resort.
I visited Biankini with my husband and two small sons, ages 7 and 12. We are Americans who had never before visited Israel or the Dead Sea, and I can tell you that my research of this area produced recommendations for many higher cost, luxury Dead Sea resort options that would have resulted in an entirely different experience. One that would not have been as authentic. Fortunately, at the recommendation of a local friend, we found Biankini.
The resort itself is a mix of Moroccan décor with whimsical and unexpected accent pieces. This results in a resort setting that is beautiful and relaxing, while also approachable for the kids. They loved hunting around the property in search of different types of statues, finding everything from T-rex dinosaurs, to the Jessica Rabbit cartoon character, and various animals. It really made it fun for them. From the adult perspective, my husband and I really enjoyed the Morrocan décor. It was unlike any other place we had ever stayed. Of particular note is the dining hall, which is almost entirely surrounded by windows and has clear lucite chairs, giving you the appearance of being in a crystal palace. It was beautiful to eat there while directly overlooking the Dead Sea.
Moroccan décor |
We stayed in one of the Zimmer Garden suites, which was perfect for a family with children. The suite easily accommodated two adults and two children (or could accommodate four adults). The bathroom was spacious, with a well-functioning bath and shower. There was a small kitchenette, with a mini-fridge, microwave, and small barbeque grill. It was a space that would have been easy to stay in for a longer period of time and it worked well for a family setting.
The greatest highlight for all of us, and to me one of the biggest selling points of Biankini, is the access to the Dead Sea. The owners have intentionally left the beachfront essentially unmodified from its natural state – here you get to see the Dead Sea as close to its original condition as possible. There are no lines to get into the water, as we witnessed with the beach next door. And you have unlimited access to Dead Sea mud, which at most other resorts has been pumped out, either for sale or to expand lavish beachfronts. Here it is beautiful, and simple, and exactly how it should be, and for a first time Dead Sea experience it was exactly what we were hoping for.
unlimited access to Dead Sea mud
My children also very much loved the half-Olympic sized pool. The facility was quite clean (even the pool bathrooms and showers), the pool area is well-designed, and there is no shortage of chairs and shaded areas for use.
Who does not like swimming pool? |
The grill and ice cream bar were also amenable to children and adults alike. The Schnitzel was particularly good and for the adults they serve beer there as well. The only downside is that it closes for the evening relatively early. The kids would have liked to be able to get ice cream there after dinner.
I had been really looking forward to experiencing the Morrocon restaurant at Biankini in all its splendor, as I had heard great things about the selection and quality of the cuisine. However, we visited the facility during the Holocaust memorial holiday, which resulted in a fairly unpopulated dining experience and very limited menu options. For dinner we had a choice of four dishes. Each of us chose the roasted chicken with Moroccan cous cous. Everyone, even my picky 7-year-old, enjoyed the meal. The chicken easily fell off the bone and the meal was beautifully flavored. It felt as though we had been invited into someone’s home to enjoy a family meal cooked with love.
The breakfast buffet was modest, again due to the holiday. I will admit I was somewhat disappointed by the selection that was offered, but I also understand that that we were visiting them during a non-optimal time.
Overall, we were very happy during our stay in Biankini. The Dead Sea experience provided at this resort is unparalleled, it is affordable and family friendly, the staff was quite welcoming, and being Americans who didn’t speak the local language posed no issues.
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