We stayed for 2 nights end of October at the Herods Dead Sea. After checking in, the reception staff didn't return one of our passports. After leaving two days later, we didn't notice this immediately until Tel Aviv. In Tel Aviv, the Hotel didn't pick up our desperate phone calls or hang up after recognizing our number. The same procedure with the helpful staff from our Tel Aviv Hotel. After 20 to 30 calls, somebody answered and promised to call back. I am still waiting for this call (even if they didn't have the passport, why didn't they call back?)
At they end, we had to go to the Embassy for a new passport and cancel immediately the old one. They tried as well to contact this Hotel with no luck. They hang up as well after recognizing the number of the Embassy.
The service in general is very bad and rude at the reception and as well with one waitress at the Bar. The room was okey and clean, and the food as ok. One exception was one very kind waiter from Africa at breakfast. He was the large exemption.This is the reason for my second point.......Stay away from the Herods

Facilities – 2
Food – 2
Service – 2
Beach – 5

Used the facilities as a day guest to access the beach, did not stay in a room. The Dead Sea experience is a must do while visiting Israel. Impossible to describe the sense of buoyancy your body has when you get in the water. It is possible to lay on your back virtually on top of the water to then turn to your stomach on the water without sinking, you float with you hands and feet in out of the water and in the air.

That being said, Herods facilities are nothing unique or special. Absolutely would not drive the extra 20-30 minutes south of Masada to use them if you are on a day tour from Jerusalem. Shower room for day guests was messy.... day guests are in dingy basement facility, standing water on floor, towels piled and overflowing, not bathroom amenities like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, footwear, etc... just locker, lock and towel. Lunch buffet was mid-level cafeteria food at best. Even if included, I’d say skip and try one of the local restaurants or food trucks near the public beach / Dead Sea Mall just north of the hotel. Hotel beach itself was OK; but there all hard salt, only one small area broken up as salt sand suitable for bare feet. No natural mud. Supposedly they offer beach service that brings you deep sea mud or refreshments while on the beach, but we never saw anyone or were offered anything. Think you can get a more natural, authentic experience at one of the public beaches on the way back towards Jerusalem from Masada and save yourself an hour in the car.