Perched 2,000 metres above sea level on the curving rim of a great canyon, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is a secluded haven for the intrepid and discerning. Guests hover over an extreme landscape of rugged beauty while they discover a cultured treasury of authentic indulgences and immersions in the destination’s rich heritage. The highest luxury resort in the Middle East and amongst the highest in the world, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is a luxurious base from which to explore this extraordinary corner of Oman.
A total of 115 luxury rooms and villas overlook either the dramatic canyon or tranquil gardens. Each features its own indigenous luxuries from custom-made Omani furniture to Amouage bath products evoking the region’s indigenous fragrances. The resort’s 82 Premier and Deluxe Rooms boast a spacious bedroom, amongst the largest in the country, each with views of the dramatic canyon and a spa-like bathroom carved out of sustainable material from the local area, complete with a rain shower and separate bath alongside a balcony. Meanwhile, the 33 villas grant guests an intimate escape each with personal villa host services and a private infinity pool overlooking the cliffs or hidden in an exotic garden. Guests have the choice of either one or two bedrooms or the exclusive Three Bedroom Royal Mountain Villa. Each villa features state-of-the-art interactive LED IPTVs and spacious walk-in dressing areas, all adding to a sense of sublime luxury.
With a selection of six restaurants and lounges to choose from, guests can indulge their senses with experiences ranging from a fine dining Arabian grill concept and poolside Roman inspired restaurant to an all-day international dining restaurant serving world classics and a rooftop shisha lounge, with the pleasant climate allowing for year-round alfresco dining.
Other highlights at the resort include a cliff-edge infinity pool and a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, tennis court and world-acclaimed Anantara Spa. Harnessing the essence of Arabia, the spa welcomes guests with ancient hammam rituals, five treatment suites, private outdoor relaxation areas and separate male and female indoor swimming pools. A separate kids’ and teens’ club offers fun-filled activities, whilst a lavish ballroom and extensive meeting facilities offer a range of memorable venues for events and weddings “on top of the world”.
LIGHTING DESIGN
The lighting concept created by the Madrid based Lighting Design Collective draws from the forms, volumes, the play of natural light, use of local materials, and decorative details of traditional Omani architecture and interiors. The concept sought to create a sense of drama and beauty heightened by the play of light and shade, the texture of the natural materials, accentuated vegetation, and hierarchy of focal points. The design creates magical moments, talking points and strong memories for the guests. The visitors’ experience was studied in sequences in order to arouse distinctive emotions inspired by the night time views, the architecture, and the landscape. The sense of discovery was one of the drivers for the lighting approach with occasional focal points such as the wooden geodesic dome spanning over ten metres in diameter with integrated lighting detail appearing with new identities after sun set.
The courtyard is the heart of the resort. An emanating protective warmth from the lanterns contrasts with the Falaj water feature lighting. The patio brings together a souk, a coffee shop, a library all lit with contemporary integrated lighting details, as well as pathways leading to the main restaurant and banquet facilities. Conversion filters were fitted to the LED lanterns for special tonality. All 800 lanterns for the resort were custom designs created by the lighting designers.
The evening time light experience continues in the spa, featuring the falaj-inspired canals reflecting rippling light across the surfaces.
