Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, a luxury hospitality brand, has announced the opening of two luxury resorts in Oman in mid-2016.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in the north east of Oman and Al Baleed Resort - Salalah by Anantara in the southern province of Dhofar will offer indigenous experiences for guests looking for authentic luxury in settings of dramatic natural beauty.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, a rare jewel set in the rocky contours of the vast Saiq Plateau on Oman’ s fabled Green Mountain, is perched 2,000 m above sea level on the curving rim of a great canyon, making it the highest five-star resort in the Middle East and one of the highest in the world.

Designed to reflect traditional Omani architecture, the resort blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, offering panoramic canyon views. A two-hour drive from Muscat International Airport and a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Dubai, the resort will offer an exhilarating escape for adrenalin-junkies as well as culture and history enthusiasts, with the ancient city of Nizwa only a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

The 82 premier and deluxe rooms, overlooking either the spectacular canyon or tranquil gardens, will each feature private balconies or terraces, while the 33 one-, two- or three- bedroom villas come with private swimming pools, separate living spaces and personal butler services.

With six restaurants and lounges, culinary experiences range from a speciality Arabian grill, poolside Italian restaurant and an all-day dining venue to a café and deli.

Positioned between a scenic beach and freshwater lagoon, Al Baleed Resort – Salalah by Anantara is within reach of an abundance of natural wonders and cultural gems and is also conveniently located just 10 km from the city centre and 15 km from the airport.

With a design inspired by Dhofar’s rich heritage and the region’s iconic coastal fortresses, the striking resort features lush tropical gardens, walkways surrounded by towering palms and eye-catching water features.

The resort features 40 premier and deluxe rooms, offering views of the Arabian Sea, lagoon or picturesque gardens as well as 88 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas which will offer private pools, the first of their kind in Salalah, spacious living areas and personal butler services.  

Guests will be able to choose from three dining options, with a selection of cuisines available including South East Asian and Mediterranean delicacies. A range of unique and inspiring experiences led by Anantara’ s renowned experts known as ‘gurus’ , will allow guests at each resort to explore the local area and to experience the local culture, whilst impressive facilities include temperature-controlled infinity swimming pools, fully-equipped gyms and tennis courts.

Both resorts will boast a world-acclaimed Anantara Spa, which will harness the essence of Arabia with ancient hammam rituals as well as treatment rooms offering signature spa treatments using indigenous ingredients and traditions. In addition, the resorts will each feature extensive meeting and banqueting facilities to host weddings, events, conferences and team building activities.  

Robert Kunkler, chief operating officer, Minor Hotel Group, said: “The opening of two Anantara Resorts in Oman in mid-2016 is a huge milestone for the brand and reflects our rapid growth in the region. Oman is known worldwide for its spectacular natural beauty and heart-felt hospitality and the team at Anantara are passionate about connecting guests to the world’ s most exciting locations and people through personal experiences, so it is a natural home for us. Both resorts will be very unique, very luxurious and will offer the very best in hospitality.”  - TradeArabia News Service