Boon Koh

Review of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar

I've stayed in my share of resorts and business ho...

I've stayed in my share of resorts and business hotels worldwide, but this is definitely the best resort I've ever been to.

Pros:
- Amazing views, just breathtaking
- Rooms are modern and comfortable, yet with intricate local architecture and decor (I stayed in a deluxe room)
- Service is excellent, whether the turn down service every evening (with yummy chocolates!) or by the pool or in the restaurants
- outdoor infinity pool is heated
- spa, steam room, and sauna are top class and very clean
- wifi is super fast throughout the resort
- breakfast is SUPERB. Go early to get fresh coconut water!
- dinner buffet is also excellent quality, one of the best buffets in terms of quality I've ever had
- Almost unlimited bottled water in rooms and by the pool
- GHA Platinum members get treated well. Free room upgrade, 2pm late checkout, and a welcome gift basket of soft drinks and snacks
- Nespresso and quality teas in-room
- Elemis toiletries
- There's a lifeguard at the pool, so if you have kids they could use it on their own (and the deepest is only like 1.2m)

Cons:
- Activities cost alot of money. Factor this in before staying. That said, the 3 village tour was excellent, and you can get the best discount by using the offer on their website.
- Food and drink is expensive, probably UK 4/5 star hotel prices. There's nothing to go to nearby, so you're more or less stuck here. That said, room service is decent value (OMR5-10 for mains) as you get quality food and good portions
- Dinner buffet is a pricey OMR18. Arabic a-la-carte restaurant even more (OMR15-25 for main courses)
- Spa treatments are not cheap, prices are similar to 4/5 star hotels in London. But the massages are very good
- Pool can get a bit crowded in the afternoons, even when the resort is not packed, as it is a small pool
- Unless you have a 4WD, you can't drive up the mountain road to the resort (you have to use their expensive taxi service around OMR55, or get a local taxi service at the bottom of the mountain, around OMR35)

Tips:
- take the free 1-hour bikes out to the local village/city to see a bit of local life
- free sunrise yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays (they provide mats)
- the Italian restaurant serves great food and decent prices for lunch, or for an early dinner (before 6:30pm)
- tennis courts are free to book, and they also provide racquets and balls

Overall I'm dreaming about coming back to Anantara again in the future! Just need to save up enough money for the next trip :)