From the North’s huge and impressive mountain plateau into the complete opposite in Oman’s South: beach, sea, desert. After a stay in the highest deluxe resort of the world, the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort the trip is heading for a further wellness and relaxation oasis. In the southernmost town Salalahof the country the Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah is located directly on the beach of the Arabic Sea.

Photos & text: Irina Tschigwinzew

Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah – Asiatischer Flair meets Arabische Kultur

The welcoming of the guests in the lounge of the Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah is the first impressive eyecatcher. Despite the luxurious ornamentson the walls and the exquisite interior outfit, everything here is just right. Not a single object in excess, not a single colour inapt. A mixture aware of style and the influence of Arabic and Asian cultures are melting to perfection.

Under Oman’s sky

For fully enjoying your stay at theAnantra Al Baleed Resort right from the start, it is important to choose the rightsuite for a good night’s sleep. Guests have the choice between one of the comfortable suites in the main building of the resort or one of the nice villas. The villas are very intimate making you feel like in your own little home – a private pool is included, making this offer a super highlight and thus the perfect choice for people loving to live absolutely retreated and undisturbed, especially when you like bathing at night under Oman’s starry sky. Invaluable!

Even here, wellness is a big topic. The modern mixture of Thai and Arabic culture is very distinctive. Revitalising procedures and applications getting body and spirit into balance again, senses are wakened and natural beauty is arising again.

Food experience – discover the manifold cuisine of the Anantra Al Baleed Resort Salalah

The culinary offer at the Anantra Al Baleed Resort Salalah is a tasting trip on its own. In the middle of the private villas there is the “Mekong” restaurant. As the name is already hinting, Asian specialties are served here. An exciting choice of dishes and delicious desserts that can be accompanied by select wines awaits you in this place. A further surprise for wine lovers and fans: Well selected German wines are also served. Who cannot get enough of Asian cuisine, has the possibility to participate in a “Spice Spoons Cooking Class” for convincing oneself personally of the Chef’s cooking arts.

Naturally, the Arabic art of cooking comes to its best in this resort. Delicious specialties of the Region and from all over Arabia are available at the “Sakalan”. Here you can experience life cooking be it at breakfast or at dinner serving yourself at the copious and very varied buffet. By all means should you try the typical “Zaatar Manakish” bread with different fillings or just pure.

At noon you can get a light lunch with a view of the Arabic Sea in the Mediterranean “Al Mina” Restaurant. Crunchy “Bruschetta” and crisp fresh salads, calamari and various bits and bobs will enjoy you with a refreshing drink, while breathing the cool breeze. For dinners you better reserve a table at the “Al Mina” or come very early for getting nicely seated. The musical performances of alternating musicians are recommendable.

As a further specialty the Anantra Al Baleed Resort Salalah offers private dinners on the beach. The path to the ad hoc built up tent, where dinner is served, is illuminated by lights causing an atmosphere of a thousand and one nights. The pounding of the almost invisible waves gives you the creeps – simply magical!

Culture & Leisure – get in touch with Omani nature und culture

Notwithstanding the allround services and all the nice-to-haves you should go on exploration tours outside the resort. A tour through the town Salalah sill take you to the Haffa Souq, a typical bazar, which is certainly a fascinating way of immerging into Omani everyday life. Thus, smells, sounds, colours and the lively goings-on will affect you directly. Upon request, visiting the “Sultan Qaboos Mosque” is possible. However, a few rules should be observed as a sign of respecting cultural customs, such as women to cover their head.

A boat tour along the coast of the Arabic Sea will take you to dolphin spots. With a bit of luck you will see entire dolphin families playing and rampaging through the waters. The few boats of locals fishing in some spots are no danger to these mammals that are swimming freely and at libitum in these waters.

Marvellously fascinating is a trip to Oman’s western part. The „Wadi Darbat“ wadi region, formed by nature, is a surreally beautiful place with all its manifold vegetation despite its partly very stony mountain landscape. Oman is world renowned due to the high quality of its incense, and just here wild incense trees are growing.

• A small present or souvenir that can be bought in the Souq amongst other things.

It is also worth your while driving to the beach. Oman’s beaches are not overcrowded by tourists and hence a perfect place for powering off and listen to the waves.

By the way, it is quite normal to encounter freely running dromedaries in the streets or on the beaches. Dromedaries are as popular in Arabia as dogs and cats in Europe. These animals move around so confidently, as they are scarcely afraid of people.    

The listed “To-Dos” are by far not all you can see and experience in Oman. After four days full of impressions and emotions you are indeed very overwhelmed at first. Nevertheless, you have not yet managed to know the country and its culture, but only acquired a superficial notion of it. So many places and so many possibilities are still waiting for exploration. The Anantra Al Baleed Resort in Salalah is a perfect place for arriving and relaxing, from where you can start your discovery tour.