It is not hard to see how the luxury Anantara Jebel Akhdar (also spelled Anantara Jabal Akhdar) has frequently topped some of the “best hotel” lists worldwide. All rooms have fantastic views, close to the edge of Jebel Akhdar’s canyon, 2,000 m above sea level.
BOOK YOUR STAY
Need to Know
The Headline Indulgence Omani Fort-style
Best For Luxurious Mountain Views
Amenities Infinity pool over looking the canyon. Three restaurants and two bars. Lovely spa. Kids clubs – including for teenagers.
Getting There Access to Jebel Akhdar (“Green Mountain”) requires a 4WD. The Anantara will arrange return transfers to and from Muscat for 165 OMR.
Getting Around There is no public transport. Multiple hiking routes cover Jebel Akhdar. The hotel will arrange excursions to local villages and guided walking routes.
Prices from approx. £300 per double per night
THE LOCATION
The Anantara Jebel Akhdar sits atop the Saiq Plateau in the Al Hajar Mountains in northern Oman. Jebel Akhdar and Saiq, are about a two hour drive from Muscat. Nizwa – and its famous Fort and Souq – are an hour drive from the hotel.
Access to Jebel Akhdar (“Green Mountain”) requires a 4WD. There is a police check point at the bottom to confirm you have the right vehicle. This can make the drive seem scarier than it is in reality. The switchbacks that carry you up Jebel Akhdar are certainly steep, but perfectly manageable. The greatest risk comes from your breaks seizing on the way back down. Stay in a low gear to keep the car’s speed down, and try to use the brakes as little as possible. The Anantara will arrange return transfers to Muscat if you do not want to drive, for 165 OMR (up to three people, must be arranged 72 hours before arrival).
THE ROOMS
All rooms at the Anantara Jebel Akhdar have fantastic views, with minimalist and elegant decor. Bedrooms and the communal areas have a classic Arabian feel – dark wood latticework, intricate lanterns, vast carved doors and frankincense incense burners.
Standard rooms look out onto the canyon, with rooms on the ground and first floor offering different perspectives. The bedroom and terraces are lovely, but the bathrooms are the highlight. Spacious, with deep baths for soaking in on a cold winter night.
For the ultimate luxury escape, the villas are idyllic, with uninterrupted canyon views from your private pool.
THE EXTRAS
Designed to emulate a traditional Omani fort, the central hotel building is built around a courtyard with a fort-style tower. The courtyard is one of my favourite spots in the hotel. Especially on a winter’s night, when the fire is lit and casts cosy shadows on the walls. It is a beautifully designed space!
A herb and fruit garden separates the central building from the rooms and infinity pool, all designed to lead to the canyon views. Perhaps the most famous viewpoint is Diana’s Point – named after the Princess of Wales, who visited Jebel Akhdar by helicopter in 1986, before any of the current tourist or hotel infrastructure was here.
There are three restaurants at the Anantara Jebel Akhdar. Al Maisan serves a vast breakfast buffet, with continental, Asian and Middle Eastern choices. Bella Vista is the hotel’s Italian restaurant offering both lunch and dinner, and the adults-only Al Qalaa serves a Middle Eastern, fine dining menu in the evening. There is a small café – Al Baha – in the gorgeous courtyard.
There are also two bars – the Anantara Jebel Akhdar has an alcohol license. Al Burj is a Moroccan-inspired cocktail bar the hotel’s fort-style tower, and the Al Shurfa shisha lounge is above the courtyard.
The gorgeous spa has locally inspired treatments – pomegranate and rose feature heavily.
Jebel Akhdar’s two luxury hotels both have via ferrata routes (check out my full review for more details on the Alila Jebel Akhdar). The Alila’s is half a mile long and includes a high-rope 82ft above a cave mouth; whilst the Anantara offers a 200m route, including Oman’s first mountain zipline. The Anantara is the gentler of the two, and is less physically strenuous. If you haven’t climbed before, or are nervous about heights, go for the Anantara. But if you have previous climbing experience, the Alila route is likely to offer you more – although perfectly doable if you are an adventurous novice! Both can be booked without staying at the hotels, subject to availability.
In addition to the via ferrata routes, there are more gentle activities! Guided hikes and excursions to local villages – including the famous rose harvest – can be arranged (or have a look at my guide to the Hajar Mountains to plan your own).
FAMILY TRAVEL
Children and families are welcome at the Anantara Jebel Akhdar. You can book additional beds and cots for 20 OMR. There are also a few interconnecting available – connected by the outdoor deck. The Anantara Jebel Akhdar offers two kids clubs – one for teenagers (Jabal Teens Club), and one for younger children (Asfour Kids Club). Babysitting can be arranged if you give the hotel 24 hours notice. There is an indoor playroom and an outdoor playground, bikes can be borrowed and children can use the tennis court. Older children can do the via ferrata. Children can eat in both the Bella Vista and Al Maisan (but not Al Qalaa or the bars). Highchairs and children’s menu are available.
THE LESS LOVEABLE
The Anantara is gorgeous and service is excellent. But if dramatic canyon views and getting away from it – in five star luxury! – are your vibe, I think the Alila pips the Anantara for the best hotel on Jebel Akhdar.
Don’t forget to check out my other guides to Oman if you are planning a visit. And if a trip to the Middle East isn’t on the cards for you for now, check out my other favourite places to sleep for inspiration for travels elsewhere.
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