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BALANCED
ON THE BRINK
OF TRANQUILITYOman’s Alila Jabal Akhdar brings bedrock luxury to the perfect precipice
words by Stuart Langrish
LivingDECORATE

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If peace and quiet rank next highest to expansive views and
stargazing smorgasbords in your list of luxury travel destination
must-haves, then Alila Jabal Akhdar is sure to please. Located
in Jabal Akhdar, which means “The Green Mountain” in Arabic,
it is unquestionably one of Oman’s most spectacular regions in
a country boasting a wealth of natural treasures. Perched on a
cliff edge 2,000 metres above sea level, the resort overlooks
a jaw-dropping gorge and is surrounded by instagrammable
panoramas of the Al Hajar Mountains. The sheer magnitude
of the views on offer cannot be understated, and it will take
considerable willpower to look anywhere else during your
stay at this remote boutique paradise.
Having opened in May 2014 as Singapore-based Alila’s first
Middle Eastern property, the LEED certified resort is a
carefully weighted combination of Omani tradition mixed
with contemporary living; blending seamlessly with its rugged
surroundings. The hotel consists of 78 suites located within
the main building or arranged in twelve flat-roofed clusters
typical of the region, and two carefully spaced out villas with
private pools, providing guests with a guaranteed escape from
the distractions of modernity. Through these uninterrupted
hypnotic vistas and a sun-drenched infinity pool; the silence
that envelops Alila Jabal Akhdar is complete in its ability to
inspire a serenity within even the heaviest of workaholics.
Approximately 2 ½ hours drive from Muscat International
Airport, and just an hour from the twinkling lights of Nizwa
in the valley below, a police checkpoint ensures only the
bravest 4x4’s make the drive. A pick-up service is available
for those that wish to concentrate on the majestic views
at each turn and not the sheer drops along the serpentine
stretch to the summit.
SUMMIT SPECTACULAR
THE ART OF DESIGN
With sustainability at the forefront, the brainchild behind
Alila Jabal Akhdar’s design was UK-based architecture firm
Atkins. Using LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental
Design) principles, inspiration was taken to carefully reflect
the region’s vernacular influence. The local stones sourced
on-site during excavation wrap each building to create an
almost camouflage effect within the dramatic scenery, and
provide a warmth and depths of colour that complement the
understated styling. The design does not cut corners – they
have used traditional Omani Fort construction techniques to
impress upon the viewer that this is a building made out of the
landscape and not in spite of it. The resort grounds also feature
‘aflaj’ water systems, in a nod to Oman’s traditional system of
irrigation channels and flora includes fig and olive trees, as well
as pomegranate and apricot trees, familiar to this region.
Private Oasis
Within the stone-clad exteriors conceals a unique combination
of minimalistic style and cultural warmth designed by Thai
outfit P49 Deesign. Decorative pieces are not mass-made
copies but authentic items bought at local markets. Pieces
include copper ornaments and handmade pottery from Bahla, a
town famous for such wares– thus making each room strikingly
individual and memorable. Earthy tones of wood and stone are
accented with rugs and hand-woven baskets in bold yet warm
hues, while the leaves of the juniper tree, hand-painted on a
wall in every suite by a local artist, bring an element of nature
indoors. Bathrooms are generous in size and bathed in light,
with views over the picturesque wilderness outside. A majestic
ovoid bath carved from a block of pale marble takes centre
stage by the window and guarantees the soak of a lifetime.
Imposing by design, signature features on each suite include
the fort-like doors crafted from solid wood. In the lobby area
the iconic damask rose pattern is displayed, representing the
flowers that were so vital to the region’s economy of rosewater
and ‘attar’, rose oil. These touches showcase a building rich
in culture and respectful of the Al Hajar mountains cultural
identity. An imposing fire place is centrally located to draw the
most discerning eye away from the captivating view beyond,
and is positively welcome during the colder months after one
of the many hiking trails available.
www.alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar