BOUTIQUE Asian hotelier, Alila Hotels & Resorts will expand into Oman in early 2014 with the opening of Alila JabalAkhdar, the first luxury resort development in the mountainous JabalAkhdar region of Oman.
Set 2,000 m above sea level and just a two-hour drive from Muscat, the resort will provide access to one of Oman’s most spectacular and untapped regions.
Overlooking a gorge with views of the Hajar mountains, Alila JabalAkhdar will be perfectly positioned to explore the region’s rugged landscapes.
Mark Edleson, president, Alila Hotels & Resorts, says: “The Jabal Akhdar region is the perfect location for our first foray into the Middle East. Its combination of interesting natural eco-systems, physical beauty and intriguing history and culture perfectly fit within our development philosophy. The concept of luxury today is less defined by specific materials and facilities but more about the unique experiential details.”
Alila Jabal Akhdar will feature a total of 84 suites and two Jabal villas along with a spectacular cliff-side restaurant, outdoor and indoor pools, Spa Alila and fitness facilities as well as beautiful event spaces.
The project, which is set to open in March, is developed by Omran, the government owned tourism investment, development and management company, with interior design by P49Deesign and architectural consultancy by Atkins.
Edleson adds: “Our guests are well travelled, and they come for the Alila Experience that goes way beyond the confines of the resort. We need to offer the Alila guests engaging ways to enjoy their leisure pursuits while connecting them to the social rhythms of the local community. Our goal is to send our guests home with spiritual and emotional memories, not just souvenirs.”
The opening of Alila JabalAkhdar is part of a strong development pipeline for Alila, with projects also currently underway in Indonesia along with future expansion into China and Europe.
This year, the group will add two other properties to its lifestyle collection including Alila Seminyak Bali and Alila Fort Bishangarh Jaipur, India.
Designed as a secret garden, Alila Seminyak tropical resort will feature 240 chic, contemporary rooms. Alila Fort Bishangarh, in Jaipur, India, is a heritage fortress that is being restored. Positioned on a granite hill in the Aravalli mountain range, the all-suite resort will feature 59 stately suites.
Alila Fort Bishangarh will become the third Alila property in India, joining the elegant Alila Diwa Goa and the chic Alila Bengaluru to further strengthen the group’s Indian offering.
Alila Hotels & Resorts currently has 21 new developments in the pipeline, seven of which are due to open in the next two years. Alila continues to expand with exciting new hotels and resort developments in key destinations, including Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Indochina.