I really love the Alila hotels. The whole chain is focused on offering luxury accommodation in adventurous locations, integrating traditional cultures and crafts, and showcasing local communities. Environmental sustainability is at the heart of what they do: many of their hotels are designed and built in accordance with the Earth Check standards.
So when we moved to Oman, very near the top of my wish list was a stay at the Alila Jebel Akhdar. This truly gorgeous hotel – perched atop Oman’s highest mountain – not only did not disappoint, but completely exceeded my already-sky-high expectations!
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Need to Know
The Headline Endless Views and Eco Luxury
Best For Adventurers seeking mountainside luxury
Amenities Full programme of daily activities, library and two pools. Multiple hiking routes run directly from the hotel gates. There is also a half mile long via ferrata, with routes of varying difficulty. Restaurant and separate licensed bar, with a well stocked gin collection.
Getting There Access to Jebel Akhdar is by 4X4 only – there is a police check point at the bottom to ensure you are in the right vehicle. The hotel can arrange airport transfers, or collection from your hotel in Muscat.
Getting Around There are extensive hiking trails right from the hotel gates, but to explore further a car is essential.
Prices approx £260 per night: peak season is November to February.
The Location
The hotel sits almost at the end of the road on the Sayq Plateau, about a two and a half hour drive from Muscat. Given the high altitude of Jebel Akhdar, the climate here is much more Mediterranean. Temperatures can be as much as 15 degrees coolers than in Muscat.
The hotel itself is perched on the edge of a 2,000 metre gorge, and has one of the most spectacular settings of any hotel I have stayed in. The resort is designed to emulate an Omani village, and to maximise views of the canyon from all buildings.
The location also lends itself to a fantastic array of activities – lots of great walks right from the hotel gates, evening stargazing events and sunrise yoga on their own cliffside shala. The highlight is a half mile long via ferrata course – including a high-rope 82ft above a cave mouth. The guides that run the activities are excellent, and very knowledgeable about Oman and the local region.
The Accommodation
There is just no getting around it – the Alila Jebel Akhdar is seriously beautiful. In keeping with Alila’s ethos, the architecture has been done sensitively, and seems to almost meld into its surroundings.
There are 84 suites and two huge two-bedroomed private villas. The rooms have a really calm vibe, and although they have a number of traditional Omani features, the central star of the show is the view. Décor is muted – neutral colours, and wooden ceilings, alongside intricate mandoos (Omani chests) and copper pots. If you can, stay in one of the Ridge View rooms. They are on the first floor so give a wonderful view out over the canyon.
The bathrooms are a definite highlight – all rooms have wonderful deep baths, many with views out to the canyon. It was fairly magical soaking in the bath of an evening watching the sun slowly set on the blue-grey walls of the Hajar Mountains.
The infinity pool is really stunning, with the edges sculpted to reflect the design of Oman’s traditional irrigation system – the falaj. I liked the fact that the area around the pool was landscaped into smaller areas, meaning you do not feel crowded even when the hotel is full.
There is also a small indoor pool and two outdoor hot tubs, all of which would be lovely to lounge in on a cool winter’s evening.
The Extras
As you check into Alila Jebel Akhdar you will be welcomed the traditional way – with qahwa (Omani coffee mixed with cardamon) and dates.
Alila’s sustainable credentials are visible all around. The hotel has been constructed from local stone as is in keeping with LEED environmental design principles, and local crafts and arts are on display throughout. Solar power is used to heat the water, which in turn is recycled to irrigate the grounds. Unusually for the Middle East, glass water bottles instead of plastic are provided. There are even low emission parking spots – although in a country of SUVs this feels a bit overoptimistic!
There is also a really fantastic spa, offering Asian-style treatments. Both The Husband and I agreed our massages here were completely fantastic!
We also loved how the outdoor seating of the Juniper restaurant had glass walls and an awning which could be rolled back. You felt like you were dining outside, but there was enough protection not to feel cold.
Breakfast was good – including some of the lightest waffles I have ever tried – and dinner was likewise very tasty. We had exceptional waygu beef cheeks with truffle one night, and a good tagine another.
The Alila’s bar – the Rose Lounge – has an alcohol license.
The Less Loveable
As with all licensed hotels in Oman, the food at Alila is very expensive. It is very good, but it is bistro style rather than fine dining so the prices will make you wince. Service can also be a bit slow, but is very friendly. I recommend fully indulging with a later breakfast and missing out on lunch to save some money.
We also found the air conditioning in our room so loud that we had to switch it off and open the door to the balcony to let the cool mountain air in instead… it was a real hardship…
I really hope this has put the Alila to the top of your wishlist – there are some beautiful hotels across Oman, but this is definitely my favourite! Don’t forget to check out my other guides to Oman if you are planning a visit. And if a trip to the Middle East isn’t on the cards for you for now, check out my other favourite places to sleep for inspiration for travels elsewhere.
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