REVIEWS


ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR RESORT Nizwa, Oman


LOCATION: One of the highest luxury resorts in the world, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar lies 2,000m above sea level in the central Al Hajar mountains. A two-hour drive from Muscat >iÀ«oÀÌ >n` wÛi hoÕÀà vÀom ÕL>i >iÀ«oÀÌ] }oÛiÀnminÌ regulations state the mountains can only be accessed with a 4x4 – so be sure to hire appropriate transport.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Friendly staff greeted me with pomegranate juice and a rose-scented towel was placed in my hands. I was struck by the beauty of the light and shadow dancing across the hotel, which resembles one of the many ancient forts that still dot the Omani landscape. The sweeping canyon views and silence take your breath away.


THE FACTS: Built in 2016 and designed to complement the loV>l l>n`ÃV>«i >n` ÀiyiVÌ "m>ni ÌÀ>`iÌionÃ] Ìhi ÀiÃoÀÌ h>à Ãi}ni` Õ« Ìo 1niÃVo½Ã -ÕÃÌ>in>LiliÌÞ /À>Ûil *li`}i q Ìhi wÀÃÌ hoÌil in "m>n Ìo LiVomi Àiin


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boasts 115 luxurious rooms and villas, all with canyon, cliff or garden views. The two, three and four-bedroom villas include a private pool, a majlis-style living area and a 24-hour concierge service. Guests can enjoy speciality teas >n` y>ÛoÕÀi` ÃhiÃh> in Ìhi Ƃl ÕÀj oÕn}i] Ühili ÌhÀii restaurants serve a variety of dishes from across the world. The Royal Edge offers an intimate experience for a special occasion, with 360-degree views overlooking the Al Hajar mountains where pomegranates, apricots and damask roses


WOW: Enveloped by the majestic mountains, you are engulfed by silence and natural quiet. From my balcony it felt like I was at the centre of the Earth’s axis – watching the sun set and the moon rise in peaceful contemplation.


BOOK IT: Prices lead in at £514 a night, including breakfast for two.


ANANTARA.COM Sarah Lucy Brown


grow in abundance. Those wanting to unwind can spend time at the spa, which offers treatments enriched with the iÃÃinVi ov Ìhi vÀÕiÌÃ >n` yoÜiÀÃ Ìh>Ì }ÀoÜ ni>ÀLÞ°


EXPLORE: Activities range from sunrise yoga, tennis and 4x4 tours to luxury mountain picnics and stargazing. The climate also makes it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, biking and climbing. The resort can arrange bespoke experiences Ìo ÀiyiVÌ Ìhi Ãi>Ãonà ÃÕVh >à iÝ«loÀin} ÀoÃi-VoÛiÀi` Ãlo«ià with an expert mountain guide in mid-March to early May. ÕÀin} mÞ ÃÌ>Þ ÛiÃiÌi` ÌhÀii loV>l Ûill>}ið 1n`iÀ Ìhi watchful eye of our guide Hussein, we walked along a narrow falaj] >n >nViinÌ iÀÀi}>Ìion ÃÞÃÌim] «>ÃÌ oliÛi] w}] pear and pomegranate trees.


IDEAL FOR: Those wanting a remote break and some peace and quiet among beautiful mountain scenery.


126 ASPIRE JUNE 2023


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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