Peak of Beauty: The Omani Retreat With A Very Special Link To Princess Diana
Nestled within age-old rugged cliffs that tempt the most seasoned traveller, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is an Omani spectacle…
Perched 2,000 metres above sea level and a two-hour drive inland from Muscat, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort entices travellers to Oman’s hushed Hajar Mountain range – the highest in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Although it’s not certain when exactly these stunning mountains came to be, it is believed that they first formed on the Arabian-Eurasian convergent plate boundary as a result of a continental collision that began at least 30 millennia ago.
We are picked up from the Al Jabal Al Akhdar police checkpoint, from where a scenic 30-minute drive to the award-winning resort ensues. The hotel, one of the world’s highest, is secluded on the fabled Green Mountain, revealing dramatic panoramic canyon vistas. Our one-bedroom cliff-pool villa is just as incredible as expected, taking ‘elevated luxury’ to new heights. The interiors feature a soothing palette that complements the nature outside – mountain browns, subdued shades of grey and sunrise reds.
Bathed in natural light, the abode is cocooned in the surrounding landscape of Nizwa, an ancient city characterised by seasonal rivers and palm plantations. The city is most known for its Nizwa Fort, a castle with a huge cylindrical tower built in the 17th century to defend the city’s position on a major trade route. Lunch is an al fresco experience at Bella Vista; reimagined traditional Italian cuisine with a contemporary touch. Home-style regional classics are crafted from seasonal produce, ensuring richness in authentic flavour. The most beautiful experience here was hearing the adhan – the Islamic call to prayer – echoing from two villages on each side of the canyon from Diana’s Point, where the princess herself once stood to stargaze. The resort is also home to an activity centre, from where we pick up bicycles to traverse the abundance of nature throughout the space surrounding the luxury villas. The flora and fauna coupled with the quietude is riveting.
We dine at Al Maisan, Arabic for ‘amazing star’. The all-day dining restaurant, elevated above the central courtyard, offers international favourites on an à la carte menu with a culinary nod to all corners of the globe.
The next day, we are met with a journey of a lifetime at the Jabal activity wall. I must admit that as excited as I was, I was equally terrified. We, courtesy of my husband, chose the most difficult level – one that involved 20-metre-long steep mountain climbs with ropes and harnesses along a ferrata steel cable, zip-lining and walking on a tightrope – all while trying not to peek underneath. The unforgettable eagles-eye view from the top made it all worthwhile. And, rest assured, you will be under the guidance of a qualified instructor.
It is no wonder Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort has received international acclaim and awards, and welcomed over 175,000 guests since its opening in 2016. Beckoning both the adventure-seekers and those pursuing relaxation, this hotel is one for the bucket list.
Visit anantara.com
Images courtesy of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
From the Summer 2022 issue of Harpers Bazaar Arabia Interiors