The Hotel Located about a two hours’ drive inland from Muscat, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is one of the highlights of my Oman trip this year. As one of the world’s highest luxury resorts at around 2,000m above sea level on the Green Mountain of Oman, you will need a four-wheel rental car to head up to the mountains to check into the hotel.

I first knew about this resort after watching BBC’s Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby and it did feel surreal to step foot into the property myself. 

Upon arrival at the drive-through, the staff immediately helped to unload my luggage and complimentary valet service was offered so I did not have to worry about parking my car. 

The lobby area of the resort exudes a strong Omani interior design with beautiful arches and a spacious courtyard area.

The check-in process was comfortable as I was asked to take a seat at the lobby, and was served a welcome drink while waiting. I also have a dedicated butler who took me to my villa on a buggy car. For the record, I booked a base room and as a Discovery Titanium member, I was accorded a double upgrade to the One Bedroom Garden Pool Villa. 

In terms of the landscape where the resort sits on, it is definitely breathtaking for me. Right beside the lobby is a spacious courtyard where I get a first glimpse of the beautiful architecture of the resort’s design.

From the resort’s viewpoint beside the pool, you get to see quaint villages, winding roads, and just some of the most jaw-dropping mountain landscape. 

There are 82 canyon view rooms and 33 private pool villas, including Oman’s most luxurious three-bedroom pool villa. 

You can request for a buggy to your villa or room, or just take a leisure walk around the resort’s lush compound is not a bad idea too.

The Room All rooms boast a canyon view with balconies, while the One Bedroom Garden Pool Villa I checked into has no canyon view, but I am not complaining. I was assigned Villa 15, and I was already impressed by how spacious the villa is at 178 sqm / 1,915 sqft. 

Upon entry, I was greeted with a living room area with ample sofa space, a coffee table, TV and mini-bar, where it also opens up to the outdoor private courtyard. 

The design of the villa is contemporary with subtle hints of Omani touches like the arch at the entrance. 

The bedroom with king size bed overlooks and opens up to the private pool, and each side of the bed comes with charging points. The mattress is hard and comfortable enough for me. 

At the back of the bedroom is a spacious walk-in closet zone with ample space for luggage storage, or to hang your clothes. It also comes with a full-length mirror for vanity’s sake. 

Not forgetting the bathroom, which is another highlight of the villa. You get double vanity sinks, a bathtub which overlooks the pool, as well as a standing shower zone. Amenities include Amouage spa products. 

You can also access the outdoor courtyard and pool via the bathroom.

Of course, the best part of the villa is the private pool with utmost privacy, and it is a good decent pool size instead of just a pool size fit for dipping. 

The Facilities The main highlight for me is the Infinity Pool which overlooks the vast mountains.

It is a heated pool with ample beds to chill by the pool. The only downside is that the pool is also right beside the famous viewpoint where Princess Diana once stood, so you will also get a constant flow of guests visiting the pool area to access the viewpoint. 

There are also outdoor jacuzzi pods right beside the pool, which is great to soak in the water and to soak in the beautiful scenery. 

Pool aside, there is an Entertainment complex which houses the 24-hour gym, an adjacent tennis Court, Kid’s Club with pool table and games, and more,

While the gym is huge, there is not much equipment, and it does look dated as well. 

There is also a Spa complex which houses the treatment rooms and spa facilities which are complimentary for guests You get separate male and female thermal suites each featuring sauna and steam rooms, experience showers, private indoor relaxation chambers and outdoor garden with loungers. 

Other than the above, the resort also has a series of paid activities lied up such as Jabal activity wall where you get to literally climb the jaw-dropping cliff, village walk tour, and more. 

The Restaurants There are a couple of dining concepts in the resort with Al Maisan being the only one I visited during my stay. I had dinner here where it happened to be a BBQ night theme, as well breakfast which is also served in this restaurant. The interior of Al Maisan is elegant, and you can opt to have the outdoor seats during breakfast where you get a canyon view.

The breakfast buffet spread is quite good for me, in terms of variety and service. It also serves local Omani coffee if that is something you want to try. 

Bella Vista is an Italian restaurant beside the pool, Al Qalaa is an Arabic restaurant, Al Baha at the courtyard area is a café for light bites and coffee, while Al Burj is an ambient lounge for coffee, tea, or cocktails and wines. 

Rants I encountered the worst storm in the mountain region during the first day of my stay and if you are staying in the villas, there is no shelter from the lobby area to your villa. The dated gym is also quite uninspiring for me.

Overall Experience Other than some minor gripes I have above, my stay at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort was excellent. The main draw for me is the spectacular mountain views from the resort and the landscape it sits on, as well as the awesome service I experienced throughout my stay from the check-in reception to the restaurant, and my personal butler who was very responsive to my queries and needs (we mainly liaise via WhatsApp). Definitely the best service I encountered in my whole Oman trip. If you are planning to visit Oman, this is one property I highly recommend staying.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort 
No 110, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Nizwa 621, Oman

For more information, check out the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort Website.

Ranted by The Ranter