Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Dhofar’s newest luxury hotel, Anantara Salalah - Al Baleed Resort, is set to open this summer, in time for the upcoming Khareef season.
The resort is a joint venture between Omran Hotels & Resorts and Musstir, one of Oman’s leading property developers, investors and the leading governmental investment company developing tourism locations and infrastructure in Oman.
Welcoming guests in traditional Omani style, the resort, located between a natural lagoon and a beach, will be managed by Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas, the luxury hospitality brand known for offering indigenous experiences for travellers.
Designed to reflect Dhofar’s heritage, the resort’s Dhofari design features intricate artistic details and is inspired by the region’s coastal fortresses,while being surrounded by towering palms, trees, gardens and lush water motifs.
With 136 guest rooms and studios, as well as one, two and three bedroom pool villas – the first of their kind in Salalah and Oman - the resort is located just 10 km from the city centre and 15 km from the airport.
One of the many highlights of the resort includes the Anantara Spa, which will feature a hammam and offer a range of Anantara’s signature spa treatments, featuring local ingredients and techniques.
Guests can enjoy a range of activities, from water sports to tennis, and a children’s and teens’ club will feature an outdoor splash area and the latest game console equipment, as well as a host of fun and creative activities.
Culinary experiences range from a Middle Eastern beach bar to a signature Asian restaurant, showcasing cuisine from along the Mekong River.
Further, the resort will offer direct access to the beach and is only a boat ride across the lagoon from the city’s renowned Botanical Garden and Al Baleed Museum of Frankincense. The resort also puts guests in close proximity to the Al Baleed UNESCO archaeological sites, the Citadel, City Wall and Grand Mosque.
James Hewitson, General Manager of Al Baleed Resort – Salalah by Anantara, noted, “On behalf of the team at Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, it is a great honour to work with such visionary partners as Musstir and Omran, and to be given the opportunity to open such a distinguished resort in a destination which is developing at such a strong pace. Salalah is a unique location - not just within Oman, but for the whole of the GCC. The Anantara brand has been built by drawing upon the expertise and heartfelt hospitality of our hosts in each destination – my team and I look forward to welcoming team members from the local region.
“With Carillon, the building contractor, we now have has agreed on key delivery and opening dates and will commence this week with our pre-opening recruitment and mobilisation of the training task force from Anantara. We are delighted with the cooperation we have received from the Ministry of Manpower,which is assisting us in securing the right level of Omanis into the hotel and are in discussions with Omran’s Tourism College to assist in our preopening training programmes.
“We are actively meeting with leading premium and luxury travel companies and will announce, later this week, the opening room rates for residents and citizens of Oman,” added Hewitson.
When it opens its doors this summer, Al Baleed Resort – Salalah will welcome guests from across the GCC and the world, but the resort also offers the perfect destination for a relaxing ‘staycation’ for local guests from the region. Proving that home is where the heart is, Omani citizens and local residents will be able to take advantage of preferential rates and opening offers in Khareef season.
Commenting on the opening of the new resort, His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Omran, said, “The opening of Al Baleed Resort – Salalah by Anantara is a major milestone for the region and reflects our commitment to developing the tourism sector to support the local economy on a long-term, sustainable basis. Salalah is a very popular destination, known for having some of the best beaches in the GCC, as well as a rich cultural heritage, and the opening of Al Baleed Resort – Salalah by Anantara puts Dhofar firmly on the map for international travellers.”
Dr. Mohamed bin Ali bin Mohamed Al Barwani – founder and Chairman of MB Group-Musstir, added: “This development of Al Baleed Resort – Salalah by Anantara is a testament to the results which can be achieved through strategic Public-Private Partnerships with the Government, which is the first of its kind in Oman for the real estate and hospitality sector. It is a learning experience, and we are proud to herald the opening of the resort with our Government partner, Omran.”
Additionally, in line with Anantara’s ongoing commitment to the local community in each of its destinations, the goal of the resort is to provide long-term employment and development opportunities for residents of Dhofar.
For more information about various positions available, and to apply, local citizens are invited to visit http://www.anantara.com/careers/
For more information, go to: http://www.anantara.com/salalah/
The resort’s website will be launching soon and additional information will be availableatwww.omran.om and www.musstir.com
