Alila Jabal AkhdarThe Alila Jabal Akhdar had opened just a few months before our stay in September 2014. The hotel is set almost 7000 ft up in the mountains of Oman and is truly beautiful. Just over 2 hours' drive away from Muscat International Airport, the location is other worldly. The drive itself is literally breathtaking. A 4x4 is required (Royal Omani Police have a checkpoint part-way up the mountains) due to the steep slopes and tight turns. From the road, the view is unbelievable. Around 15 minutes from the resort, the car turns into a smaller lane and continues to climb, as your anticipation grows. Keep an eye out for wild donkeys and mountain goats (and keep your fingers crossed they don't leap out in front of the car) as the road winds upwards and you wonder just how a hotel could have been built here. Then, out of the blue, you turn off the main road and, just before arrival, spy a few low buildings overlooking the canyon - this is Alila Jabal Akhdar.
After entering the hotel, past the traditional Omani smiling welcoming committee, you see the amazing view. Jork, the GM, comes to say hello and Salim, the wonderful leisure concierge invites you to taste Omani coffee and delicious dates - the traditional welcome. We simply cannot praise Salim highly enough, his friendly, diplomatic presence is very much the spirit of this place. Jabal VillaAt first sight, the architecture is unprepossessing to say the least. Local materials have been used as facing and the effect is almost to camouflage the buildings. So, we didn't have high expectations of the villas. However, first impressions can be deceiving and we were wowed by the size and fit of these top suites. The villas are set aside from the other rooms and have space for a vehicle to park outside. Once inside, there is a small but functional kitchen (complete with very large Nespresso machine) and the second bedroom with large ensuite and dressing room to the right. The main part of the villa consists of a dining room (table plenty big enough for 6) and two lounges - one formal and one for entertaining. Fantastic views from the floor-to-ceiling windows are breathtaking, although it's a shame the windows aren't sliding doors to bring the outside in. Regardless, the villa has a full length terrace with plenty of room to relax and, everyone's favourite, a long private swimming pool.
The master bedroom offers a walk-in wardrobe bigger than most people's clothes storage at home, spacious bedroom with seating area and a huge bathroom, complete with twin sink areas, a free-standing stone tub, rain-shower and steam room. Full-size Alila toiletries are offered in the villa bathrooms. Outside, there was a surprise for us - a completely hidden jacuzzi, again offering the views everyone travels to Jabal Akhdar for. Spa and LeisureAlila is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning surprise. The concept of Alila properties is that there is a range of leisure options provided; the Alila hospitalities provided complimentary and the Alila Experiences available at a charge. These aim to stimulate your active, cultural or culinary self. Currently, these are not really available in Jabal Akhdar, although a few active walks have been set up, either self-guided (as we did to the abandoned village of Sirab) or with the leisure concierge. We learnt from Jork, the GM, about some of the planned activities and a few of the challenges the resort faces in arranging these experiences. However, it would have added shape to the day had there been an afternoon date tasting, a daily transfer to Nizwa or a session learning how to make natural skin-care products at home for example.
The on-site gym is reasonably equipped (although no recumbent bike or rower) and offers chilled towels, which is always a plus in our book. The spa treatments were mostly excellent - we especially appreciated the surprise of a 15 minute back massage before the booked facial started. Male guests can only have a female therapist if they receive their treatment with a female partner present. In addition to the beautiful free-form infinity pool, there are 2 outdoor and 3 indoor jacuzzis (1 mixed, 2 segregated) as well as segregated steam rooms. The library, complete with books about Oman and numerous games completes the leisure offering. |
Horizon View SuiteAlthough we had booked the entry-level Mountain View Suite, we were upgraded to a Horizon View Suite. We are unsure whether this was because of occupancy, our GHA Platinum status or the fact that we had booked as travel agents. Regardless, we were unsure whether we would have chosen the upgrade (which put us on the ground floor instead of the 1st floor) and would have liked to have been given the option. However, the view from our balcony was wonderful.
The suite is more of a studio or junior suite, consisting of just one reasonably sized room with bed, seating area and desk. Curtains separate the main room from both a walk-in dressing room and the large bathroom, with egg-shaped bath, rainshower and twin sinks. The bed was one of the most comfortable we have experienced (we even asked for details of the supplier) and we enjoyed using the Alila toiletries. However, the minibar was rather expensive and as the cushions are all covered with quite coarse wool fabrics, we found many of them a little scratchy. Whilst we understand that the aim of the resort was to provide a traditional Omani experience, we would have preferred doors to the bathroom (rather than curtains) and the terrace was not as private as we would have liked. If you have a ground-floor room, anyone can walk past your terrace steps at any time.
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Overall Impression
We loved the Alila Jabal Akhdar and look forward to seeing how it develops over the next few years. At present, the hotel does not feel entirely ready: some of the rooms are not yet available to book; the shop is an empty room not yet fitted, and many activities are not yet available. However, the warmth of the staff and the beauty of the location go a long way to making up for this. This isn't simply a hotel where you can go to relax and recharge, it is also an opportunity for cultural exchange. This can create a few tensions at times, for example, Salim (the leisure concierge) had to pacify an Arab guest when Mrs d2t walked through reception in a dressing gown en route to the pool (we had checked in advance that this was allowed). However, eventually we hope that it will be possible for tourists, expats and locals to sit together and learn from each other. Only time will tell if this will be possible.
At present, the hotel doesn't have a liquor license, but this really isn't a problem unless you are physically dependent. Either stick to soft drinks or buy a bottle of wine or two at duty free and stick it in the minibar. Whilst it is nice to have a glass of wine watching the sunset, this really isn't something that will make or break your trip. The view and clean air provide a heady experience.
Currently, we feel that 3-4 nights is probably sufficient at Jabal Akhdar. However, when more activities are available, a week would not feel too long. This is a place to relax and explore, as well as learning about the past and future of Oman.
At present, the hotel doesn't have a liquor license, but this really isn't a problem unless you are physically dependent. Either stick to soft drinks or buy a bottle of wine or two at duty free and stick it in the minibar. Whilst it is nice to have a glass of wine watching the sunset, this really isn't something that will make or break your trip. The view and clean air provide a heady experience.
Currently, we feel that 3-4 nights is probably sufficient at Jabal Akhdar. However, when more activities are available, a week would not feel too long. This is a place to relax and explore, as well as learning about the past and future of Oman.