The sweltering heat of summer is driving people in Muscat into the cooler and welcoming embrace of the mountains. With frequent rains enjoyed by the Hajjar mountains and the temperature in the afternoon dropping at an average of 18 degrees and usually even cooler at night, Jabals Akdhar, Shams and Hatt are easy targets for people to escape to.
Just this weekend alone, hundreds were reported to have taken the long drive to Jabal Akdhar not just to witness the rain but also to spend a meaningful weekend camping and hiking or just be in nature with families and friends minus the scorching heat. With Jabal Akdhar hosting some of the best hotels in the country, hospitality joints are taking the opportunity to build a campaign around the mountain's '15-degree cooler' concept.
"The lower temperatures and crisp mountain air invite visitors to indulge in outdoor activities and immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural surroundings. We are delivering a welcome reprieve, making Jabal Akdhar an ideal retreat during the scorching summer months," shared Puneet Singh, the General Manager of Alila Jabal Akhdar.
Singh and his team said that to make it even more inviting for guests, they've created unique packages that would help drive traffic to the mountains and the hotel even more.
For instance, in Alila, their exclusive summer offer starts at OMR 95++, which comes with a la carte breakfast for two guests and two children, an elaborate 15% discount on food and beverage, including 15% off on spa services, and unique activities one can do within the hotel.
Situated approximately 2,000 meters above sea level, Jabal Akdhar also offers a treasure trove of cultural activities that unveil the rich tapestry of Omani heritage. Travellers can embark on guided hikes through terraced fields, ancient villages, and soon the pomegranate harvest, gaining insight into the region's agricultural practices and traditional way of life. By engaging with local communities, visitors can learn traditional crafts, keeping the spirit of Omani craftsmanship alive.
Local products in a luxury setting
"It is important to put Oman front and centre of every luxury experience in Jabal Akdhar. This means crafting food that put Omani favourites in the spotlight, elevated but combined with other popular and unique flavours from around the world, we would like visitors to have a fantastic experience during their stay," shared Chef Pankaj Walia, the executive chef of Alila Jabal Akdhar.
Having travelled the world and worked with some of the most luxurious properties like the Oberoi, the Ozen Collection and of the most recent, the Atmosphere Hotels within his 20 years career, finding himself in Jabal Akdhar had allowed Chef Pankaj to look at sustainability closer, and not only is he pushing for healthier and fresher food through his garden-to-table approach to dining, he is making the experience more cultural and also more engaging for the local farmers.
"Guests are having a cultural experience even though they are staying in a luxury hotel. On the food experience front, for example, we built our own shuwa pit. Every Thursday, we put the meat in this pit. It becomes very interactive for our guests because the pit is right in front of the restaurant where the guests can see it. Friday morning, our team remove it from the pit and prepares it for our dinner service. It becomes a conversation starter and allows our guests to know of Oman more," Chef Pankaj said.
Jabal Akdhar, blessed with great conditions for growing different produce, also inspired him to embrace sustainability in a more meaningful way.
"Many of the ingredients we use are sourced from local producers and farmers. But it also helped to have our own garden and grow some of the most frequently-used produce, like basil, courgette, onions, and tomatoes, among others. We also have our own bee and butterfly farm, the pollinators allow us to be more environmentally conscious. We use the honey and actually serve it to our guests," he shared.
Chef Pankaj shared that he overhauled the menu served at the food and beverage outlets of Alila as they have to make sure that not only are they offering some culturally insightful food but also ones that showcase the exclusivity and luxury of the property.
"Luxury is also about the details. I pay attention to every detail of the food experience of guests travelling to Jabal Akdhar. Even the welcome food set in the rooms had been meticulously curated; you would notice a touch of elegance not just from the well-curated nuts and fruits but on the chocolates and sweets served," he added.
Chef Pankaj shared that with Alila's reputation, they have to keep reinventing and coming up with more meaningful and extraordinary dining experiences. At his core, he said he also wants to engage more with the local community.
"Luxury guests love having cultural experience and we are lucky that we have tonnes of experiences in Jabal Akdhar that we can share with our discerning guests. Eventually, one of my plans is to engage with the local community, especially the farmers, where I host dining experiences where I can share with the farmers how their products are used in a luxury and fine dining setting and in exchange, allow our guests to see how the beautiful setting of Jabal Akdhar impacts their experience," he said.
Chef Pankaj has been with the property for barely six months but shared that his excitement and the environment inspire him to be more creative and think of other ways how to make unique experiences in a beautiful setting.
Instagram: @yru_here
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
