With a picnic on the way and a smooth drive in Maserati’s new all-wheel drive Levante, the three-hour drive from the Muscat International Airport wasn’t as tiring as it should have been. The drive was fun with rugged and beautiful scenery, as we climbed our way up the mountain to Alila Jabal Akhdar.
Uniquely traditional, the stone-laid building isn’t reminiscent of skyscrapers back home. An intriguing scent greeted us as we walked in. Frankincense, a prized commodity to date and proudly Omani, is burnt all day in the lobby for its rejuvenating scent.
Across the naturally lit lobby, two wide doors open to a deck area. This is when you realise that they weren’t lying — the resort is actually perched on the very edge of a mountain. Beyond a wooden fence is a rocky tumbling drop and an incredible view.
The interiors are all earth-toned — stone-laid floors, wooden railings and heavy wooden doors with old-fashioned knockers. To me, a certified lover of all things natural and traditional, this is Oman — the luxury boutique resort version that is.
The rooms are large with a small closet, a rustic-chic bath area and most importantly, a large balcony. With seating and a table, this balcony is the highlight of the room.
The view is indescribable — the setting sun turning the gorge golden and reflecting off of the overflowing infinity-like pool down below. This view, more than anything else, is the reason you want to stay here.
After a much needed nap, we headed down to Juniper restaurant for dinner. If you ever go, definitely ask for the starter with bread, laban and honey. You won’t be able to stop, trust us. The resort has its own garden to grow many of the ingredients used, including fruits such as pomegranate, vegetables and herbs. The chef even had plans to set up a beehive to produce their own honey.
The perfect start to a morning in Alila Jabal Akhdar is watching the sunrise. But this day wasn’t to be all peaceful and chill as we has a quick bite, and geared up to tackle the Via Ferrata.
As a very unfit, non-adventurous person, the next few hours were filled with questioning the reason for life-and-death antics, and particularly my sanity. Strapping myself up, connected by two hooks to an iron cable set deep in the mountain, the instructor read my face perfectly. He took me in the first group, and told me with a straight face, “You are completely safe.” What I heard was, “You can only die if you took off both hooks at the same time.”
Three hours of beating the odds and surprising myself, I can’t believe that I rock-climbed, at times connected to nothing but my hands on the mountain. I even walked a tight rope over a deep valley (I did ask if I could be airlifted before I walked). It was exhilarating and scary, but completely worth it.
After a relaxing massage (essential after the Via Ferrata), I stepped into their ‘spa kitchen’, where we learnt how to make our skin care packs with regular grocery ingredients. I also tried a hand at archery.
As we headed out to see one of the villas on the property on a club car, I couldn’t help but love the weather. It was chilly but the air felt clean and refreshing. After a delicious dinner at Juniper, it was bed time, followed by a morning flight to catch.
Verdict: Away from the bustle of the city, this resort is perfect to run away from the world without compromising on luxury. It is perfect for a short trip of four to seven days.
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Ratings
Rooms: 5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value for money: 3/5
Location: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Location: Al Roose, Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman Cost Dh2,795 (approximately) for double rooms [includes taxes, breakfast and three-course dinner every day] Rooms 86, including villas
