Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is the kind of place Dubai residents quietly keep on their shortlist for quick resets. Perched 2,000 metres above sea level on Oman’s Green Mountain, it offers an experience that feels both accessible and far removed from city life. When the UAE heat lingers above 38°C, the mountain’s gentle 24°C changes everything. The air feels crisp, the light softer, and the pace immediately slower.
The drive from Dubai takes around five and a half hours, though the changing scenery makes time pass easily. After the Hatta border, where vehicle insurance can be arranged in minutes, the road winds steadily upwards. Each turn brings cooler air and wider views until, eventually, the canyon appears, revealing Anantara’s fortress-like silhouette perched dramatically on the edge. It’s a journey that feels like a gradual transition from the everyday into calm.
Days that move at an easy pace
Our Deluxe Canyon View Room captured exactly what makes the resort so special. The interiors reflect Anantara’s signature aesthetic – warm wood, Omani latticework, and earthy tones that mirror the landscape. Yet the real highlight lies beyond the sliding doors: a private terrace with uninterrupted views of the canyon. It became our anchor point throughout the stay – for morning coffee as the mist lifted, slow afternoons with a book, and sunset moments when the cliffs turned gold.
Mornings begin at Al Maisan, where breakfast feels unhurried and quietly indulgent. The buffet is generous but not overwhelming, with stations offering made-to-order dishes alongside freshly pressed local olive oil – a highlight during the September harvest. Sipping coffee on the terrace, watching eagles circle above the terraced slopes, is the kind of memory that lingers long after check-out.
Olive groves and mountain life
Beyond the resort, short walks reveal the daily rhythm of the mountain. Narrow lanes lead to villages where kitchen gardens and olive trees fill every courtyard. Goats wander freely, and the occasional 4WD climbs the slopes with casual ease. The landscape surprises with its greenness – roses, pomegranates, and olive groves thrive thanks to the ancient falaj irrigation channels that thread through the hillsides.
Anantara’s connection to this agricultural heritage runs deep. During the olive harvest, guests can join tastings guided by local experts, learning to recognise the peppery freshness of oils pressed only days before. The experience captures the mountain’s identity perfectly – rooted in nature, quietly industrious, and deeply authentic.
Bella Vista at sunset
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Dinner at Bella Vista, the resort’s Italian restaurant, is best timed for sunset. The terrace clings to the canyon’s edge, offering panoramic views that shift from amber to violet as night falls. The menu favours comforting Italian classics prepared with precision rather than extravagance. The pumpkin ravioli, dressed in sage butter and toasted almonds, felt like the right kind of indulgence in the cool mountain air. The veal Milanese followed – crisp, golden, and generous. With each course came attentive but unobtrusive service, the kind that anticipates rather than interrupts.
As darkness settled, the canyon disappeared into shadow and the terrace lights glowed softly against the limestone. It was one of those meals that felt effortlessly complete, where atmosphere and flavour work in quiet harmony.
The luxury of slowing down
By morning, the air dipped to 16°C – a rare pleasure for anyone used to Dubai’s warmth. Breakfast stretched into a slow ritual of omelettes, fruit, and coffee, taken on the terrace without rush. Later, the infinity pool offered a view so vast it seemed to merge with the canyon itself, a rare example of an image that exceeds its photographs. Around it, calm replaced the usual beach club soundtrack; the only sound was wind moving through the cliffs.
Afternoons are best spent doing very little. Reading, resting, or simply watching the light move across the landscape feels restorative in a way few resorts manage. For those seeking more structure, the spa offers treatments infused with local olive oil, while the resort’s guided hikes and cultural tours explore the surrounding villages and trails.
Evenings of quiet and clarity
As the sun sank behind the mountains, the temperature dropped once more, and the air filled with a stillness that bordered on meditative. Sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine, conversation faded to silence as the first stars appeared – sharp and bright in the absence of city light. It was a moment that defined the weekend: not about doing, but about being still.
A return worth repeating
By Sunday morning, the descent back to the lowlands felt like a slow return to reality. The thermometer climbed steadily – 16°C at the resort, 28°C at the base, and finally the familiar 35°C as Dubai’s skyline reappeared. It’s a tangible reminder of the contrast that makes Jabal Al Akhdar so special.
This was our third visit, and perhaps the most memorable. The olive harvest added new depth to the stay, connecting the resort’s luxury with the land that sustains it. It’s rare to find a destination that improves with each return, but Anantara Jabal Akhdar remains one of them – serene, grounded, and beautifully in tune with its mountain home.
Quick Summary – Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar
- 🏔️ Overview: A serene mountain escape at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, set 2,000 metres above sea level on Oman’s Green Mountain with panoramic canyon views.
- 🚗 Getting there: Approximately 5.5 hours by car from Dubai via the Hatta border, offering a smooth and scenic mountain drive.
- 🛏️ Stay: Deluxe Canyon View Rooms and private pool villas blend Omani design with Anantara’s signature warmth, featuring terraces overlooking the canyon.
- 🍽️ Dining: Al Maisan for breakfast and Bella Vista for sunset Italian dining, both highlighting locally pressed olive oil.
- 🫒 Highlights: Olive harvest tastings, infinity pool views, guided hikes, and spa rituals infused with Omani olive oil.
- ✨ Ideal for: Dubai travellers seeking a refreshing, nature-focused retreat combining comfort, culture, and calm.
