Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara Hotel

Oman

Something needs to be made clear from the outset and crystally so: Al Baleed Resort Salalah is absurd. The beachfront resort so epitomises the cliché of luxury that it borders on total nonsense. Yet the Anantara group’s touch is so sophisticated, its attention to detail so harmonious – from the thick, egg-shaped bathtubs to the delicate, much-vaunted cuisine – that the absurdity is more dreamlike than farcical. Much like Oman’s dramatic cliffs and coastlines, Al Baleed just doesn’t seem real. The first and most impactful absurdity is the serenity. The quiet as you stroll along the white sands is deafening. It feels like walking into a miasma of tranquility, something so tangible and palpable you can almost taste it.

Take an excursion to visit the nearby Al Baleed World Heritage site, sure, but, by God, make sure you take a day off to visit the spa, which is sure to send you catatonic. We’ll let you decide which is the most impressive. You’ll do well to find smarter villas anywhere in the world. Each of them is serviced by your own host, who’s on hand to book whatever desire floats into your mind during the ethereal state you’re sure to reach while floating in your private pool. The rooms are equally luxurious, but if you can stretch to it, get yourself a beach pool villa and never, ever leave. When you want to put your taste buds to use, you’re spoiled for choice with three top-drawer restaurants offering a variety of international cuisines – the surprise highlight being Mekong, serving up excellent Asian-fusion dishes in an atmospheric space.

Though you might find it difficult to eat anywhere other than astride one of the infinity pool sun loungers, ensconced as you’ll be by emerald palm fronds and coconuts, swaying in Oman’s fittingly celestial beachside breeze. As we said, utterly, utterly absurd. Doubles from £199.