Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort — Hotel in Al Batinah South Governorate

mountains of Oman, the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is a luxurious oasis that promises an unforgettable experience. After the exciting up hill drives we finally arrived the resort , we were enveloped in the warm hospitality and stunning natural beauty that this resort has to offer. Our staycation was nothing short of wonderful, and a significant part of that was due to the exceptional service provided by Sarhan, who went above and beyond to make our visit truly memorable.

Arrival and First Impressions

As we drove up to the resort, the winding roads and dramatic mountain scenery set the tone for our getaway. The architecture of the resort seamlessly blends with the surrounding landscape, featuring traditional Omani design elements that create a sense of place. Upon arrival, we were greeted with refreshing welcome drinks and a warm smile from the staff, instantly making us feel at home.

Accommodations

Our room was a spacious and elegantly designed suite with breathtaking views of the mountains and the canyon below. The decor was a perfect mix of modern luxury and traditional Omani touches, creating a serene atmosphere. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the amenities were top-notch, including a well-stocked minibar, a coffee machine, and a luxurious bathroom with a soaking tub and rain shower. We appreciated the attention to detail, from those lovely welcome bites , to the plush robes to the high-quality toiletries.

Dining Experience

Dining at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar was a highlight of our stay. The resort offers a variety of dining options, each with its own unique ambiance and menu. We enjoyed a romantic dinner at the cliffside restaurant, where we savored delicious Omani and international cuisine while taking in the stunning sunset views. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, providing excellent recommendations for both food and beverage .

One of the standout experiences was the breakfast buffet, which offered a wide array of options, from fresh fruits and pastries to made-to-order omelets and traditional Middle Eastern dishes. The setting, overlooking the mountains, made every meal feel special.

Activities and Amenities

The resort offers a plethora of activities to keep guests entertained. We took advantage of the stunning infinity pool, which provided a perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun. The spa was another highlight, offering a range of treatments that left us feeling rejuvenated. We indulged in a couples deep muscles massage, which was expertly delivered by skilled therapists in a tranquil setting.

For those seeking adventure, the resort organizes various excursions, including hiking, mountain biking, and cultural tours. We opted for a guided hike through the surrounding mountains, which was an exhilarating experience. The breathtaking views and the chance to connect with nature were truly unforgettable.

Exceptional Service by Sarhan

What truly set our stay apart was the exceptional service provided by Sarhan. From the moment we met him, his warm demeanor and genuine passion for hospitality shone through. He took the time to understand our preferences and made personalized recommendations for activities and dining. Sarhan was always available to assist us, whether it was arranging a special surprise for our anniversary or sharing insights about the local culture and history.

His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring we had a memorable experience made a significant impact on our stay. It was evident that he genuinely cared about making our time at the resort special, and we are incredibly grateful for his efforts.

Conclusion

Our stay at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort was a perfect blend of luxury, relaxation, and adventure. The stunning location, exquisite accommodations, and exceptional dining options made for an unforgettable experience. However, it was the outstanding service from Sarhan that truly elevated our stay. We left the resort feeling refreshed, inspired, and...

After a 4D3N stay in hot Muscat, the cooling weather at Jabal Akhdar is such a relief. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, was one of the best 5D4N stays at a resort we have ever had. ||As a Discovery Titanium member, I booked a Deluxe Canyon View Room, which was upgraded to a One Bedroom Garden Pool Villa, triple the size! On the final day, we upgraded to the One Bedroom Cliff Pool Villa for an additional 100 OMR/night (very worth it for the heavenly view)! Retma, one of the staff who greeted us were the friendliest! She managed to catch me while I was having coffee at Al Baha on Day 3, and I simply explained and booked all the activities my family and I wanted to do via her within 10 minutes; including lunch at Al Qalaa, dinner at Bella Vista, rescheduling spa, Jabal Wall activities, complementary tour to Nizwa on the way back to the airport and room upgrade request. Rajib, our villa host, is always attentive and executed everything smoothly, including helping me track a perfume which I had tried, and a random stranger asked for when we were touring Nizwa Fort.||Booked the half board package was one of the best decision! Breakfast & Dinner at Al Maisan was perfect. Every single time greeted with tasty and expansive options. Almost always, Harde, will greet us at breakfast and dinner – very attentive and always try to strike a pleasant conversation. On Day 4, we had set lunch at Al Qalaa, which was amazing especially the dessert! The dinner at Bella Vista was great with outdoor ambiance, fire stands and live music. Maybe it's the lighting but it just seems like wait staff are a bit less attentive there. May I suggest always having a host at the front of the restaurant. Food, nonetheless, was great. We managed to use the 15 OMR for each spa and dining credit, including a 24 OMR per person credit as part of the half board package. Yes, my brother and I love the Spanish Latte at Al Baha.||Having been upgraded to the villa, we did not manage to use the main resort infinity pool - but surely has one of the best views! The sunset in all its glory from Diana's Point/Royal Edge is beyond superb.||Add-on private luxury transfer was another no-brainer. The 4WD is luxurious and spacious - with Asaad, who on our return trip simply stopped everywhere we wanted; the viewpoint on the way down from the mountain, Nizwa and Grand Mosque in Muscat before dropping us at the airport. I forgive the additional 40 OMR charge as we are being picked up from Mandarin Oriental instead of airport on the way up, with all these other benefits which for sure exceeded 1000 OMR.||We also managed to use the gym, the tennis court - (in view of the trend, maybe there should be a padel court too haha). A highlight of an activity is the Extreme Jabal Wall, led by our humorous and very supportive instructor, Hussain. I did the activity with my mom, in her mid 50s, and we managed to complete the activity in less than 1 hour! Retma's advice to do it at sunset is spot on!||I had also experience a super relaxing and facial and body scrub at the spa, with Amy as the spa therapist! Never felt so relaxed and skin so smooth after the treatment. Mahbub, during turndown service also decided to surprise us with roses on the bed!||I love the resort so much and would love to come again and again and again, with friends and families alike. There are many other activities we haven't done, but just relaxing and lounging would also be perfect.||95/100 (if there is such scoring)! There is always room for improvement, at almost 10 years, the room can show signs of aging. The dimmer sometimes doesn't work, which makes dark rooms stay dark. The wooden flooring, if creaking too much, should surely be replaced. Those late nights bathroom trips can be noisy. May I also suggest a humidifier in the room, where the mountain air is dry. Nonetheless, a heaven on earth. Nice touches on the Amouage toiletteries...

We had a varied experience during our three nights at the hotel- I had really high hopes for our stay as coming to the resort was the main driver for our trip to Oman, I was excited by the previous excellent reviews, it was a special occasion, and our first holiday since 2019. I really hate confrontation and complaining, but there some things which really did not live up to my expectations. Saying that, the staff did make huge efforts to remedy the situation once made aware that we weren't happy or there was an issue. Overall, I felt that there needed to be be more of a focus on guest's experience and the level of service was a bit inconsistent.

Rooms: These are beautiful and HUGE and our room attendant put some very thoughtful touches like animal designs of our towels and putting a bookmark in my book. The rooms also smell like roses and the front desk gave us some of the fragrance oil as a parting gift which was really really nice.

On check in/ booking: I wanted to book a particular rate I saw online only to be informed that there was a slight error on the website and they had informed their IT department. That was not my fault, and I had thought they might honour what was on their site. Upon check in, we were also asked to pay the entire room rate upfront which I found a bit strange and caught me off-guard (most other hotels I go to ask for all payment at the end). This meant I was unable to check what I had paid already and ensure the card I wanted to pay with was working properly and felt a bit strong armed into paying with another card to save blushes (no doubt incurring some eye-watering transaction fees).

Activities: The main draw of the resort is the view of the mountains- however visibility can often be poor given frequently changing weather. I think more needs to be offered as a matter of course to ensure guests have a good time even if the weather is bad. There was one day where I think we had quite an unfortunate series of events including the jacuzzi not working, the yoga class we wanted to go to wasn't on, and they closed the activity centre earlier than advertised and did not budge to our request for 30 mins of table tennis before dinner. For over $500 per night, I found being told "no" so many times in short space quite difficult to swallow. There was also inconsistent messaging between staff on availability of things.

Food and wine: SO EXPENSIVE- I understand that the remote location and Omani licensing means they can charge a premium but the cheapest wine is over $85. Main courses were around the $55+ mark each- and we genuinely had raw lamb one night and raw potato on another. Again once pointed out - we received an apology alongside free desert/ drinks but for that price I was expecting something really special and not needing to make a fuss. Breakfast was really good- particularly great omelettes and fresh bread.

I really did appreciate the chance to provide feedback during our stay, where some of these issues were noted. Younis and the staff at Bella Vista made sure we parted the resort with a lovely lunch and we really appreciated the hospitality and gesture so that our honeymoon ended with...