How does Hotel Indigo differ from other lifestyle brands?
We pride ourselves on being more than just another luxury resort or lifestyle brand. We offer a carefully curated blend of world-class comfort and authentic local experiences. From the moment I set foot in Jabal Akhdar, I was captivated by its natural beauty, cultural richness, and untold stories. Our vision was to create a resort that would truly honours this special neighbourhood and reimagines life on the Green Mountain.
At Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa, everything from the design that echoes the mountain’s rugged terrain to the curated experiences that connect guests with the local traditions is a tribute to this extraordinary region. This creates unique and immersive experiences for guests. It’s about immersing our guests in the destination, inviting them to discover its hidden gems, and ultimately, creating memories that last long after they’ve left.
With Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa being your first boutique lifestyle brand resort to be opening in the region, what is your vision for the new location and the region as a whole?
We want our guests to feel the soul of Jabal Akhdar – its beauty, its culture, and its rich heritage. Hotel Indigo is all about celebrating the people, places and experiences that make the neighborhood one-of-a-kind in every location where we have a property, and that’s exactly what we’ve done here.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll sense the connection to Omani culture. The handcrafted wooden donkey sculpture in the lobby is just a playful hint of what’s to come.
Every detail, from the textures and colours to the custom-designed wallpaper in your room, tells a story of this remarkable location. At our rooftop venue VUE, the highest in the Middle East, we had a 25-metre-long blank canvas which we used to create a mural that pays homage to the flora and fauna of Jabal Akhdar. This project took over four months to create, working with an incredible artist, plus another two months to finalise and install. It’s quite statement when the lift doors open and you see it for the first time.
In addition, we have curated over 3,000 pieces of art throughout the building, each one telling a story of the region. Each of our floors is themed around a different aspect of the local flora – pomegranates, indigo, saffron, honeycomb, and roses – including multi-dimensional installations.
For the region, we see the resort playing a crucial role in promoting Jabal Akhdar’s tourism and economic growth. By partnering with local businesses, artisans, and the community, we hope to create a positive impact that benefits both visitors and residents.
Jabal Akhdar is a beautiful hill-scape known for its natural beauty, so how has that inspired the development, aesthetics and experiences at the new resort?
Jabal Akhdar’s stunning natural beauty has been our inspiration. We’ve woven its essence into every aspect of the resort. We created a playbook of stories and history that was given to our designers so that could immerse themselves in the destination and bring the resort to life.
The design echoes the mountain’s colours and textures, creating a space that feels both modern and deeply rooted in Omani heritage. You’ll notice earthy tones and shades of green throughout, mirroring the surrounding landscape. Texture plays an integral role in our material selection and we want to allow our guests to feel connected to resort in this way.
Beyond aesthetics, the dramatic terrain – the rugged cliffs, terraced orchards, and historic villages – has shaped the experiences we offer. Guests can enjoy thrilling hikes, explore ancient villages and marvel at the stars in the night sky.
Having travelled quite extensively and seen many countries during your career, what do you think of Oman, and what makes this new resort a must-visit?
Oman holds a special place in my heart. It’s a country of striking contrasts, with diverse and stunning landscapes, from the rugged mountains of Jabal Akhdar to the white sand beaches of Salalah and of course, the desert. And the people… the Omani people are incredibly welcoming and warm, making you feel instantly at home.
What sets our resort apart is its deep connection to this extraordinary place. We didn’t just want to build a luxury resort, we wanted to create an experience that truly reflects the spirit of Jabal Akhdar. Every detail, from the design and the locally-sourced materials to the curated experiences, has been thoughtfully chosen to immerse our guests in the magic that the Hajar Mountain range has to offer.
Which experience(s) would you recommend to the guests, that is your favourite?
That’s a tough one! Every aspect of the hotel has been so thoughtfully designed to create a unique and memorable experience. But if I had to pick a few favourites, I’d definitely recommend:
Indulging in a bit of pampering at our Jala Spa & Wellness. It’s a true oasis of vitality, offering a wide range of rejuvenating treatments inspired by ancient Omani traditions and traditional techniques elevated with contemporary know-how. We believe we have created a spa experience that leaves our guests feeling reconnected and we have been fortunate to be working with amazing product houses that share our philosophy. Our spa team has spent 3 months in training, learning about the essence of the products they are using, and being completely retrained on the experience we deliver. This has allowed us to re-imagine what we want the guest journey to be and that has been a 20-month journey in itself, pulling all the various elements together from all four corners of the world. The spa features distinctive wellness zones, immune-boosting Himalayan salt rooms, and relaxing indoor vitality pools. It’s the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with yourself amidst the serene mountain setting. All of our guests so far forget that they are in Jabal Akhdar by the time they finish their wellness journey with us.
Guided hike or trek through the breathtaking mountain landscapes of Jabal Akhdar. The views are simply stunning, and there are trails suitable for all levels of experience. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region and discover hidden gems along the way. From the marine fossil hikes, abandoned villages or walking through the hanging terraces of roses in full bloom, it is an incredible destination that never fails to leave you in awe ad appreciation.
Spending an evening at Vue Rooftop & Lounge. As the highest rooftop in the Middle East, it offers unparalleled panoramic views of the canyons. It’s an ideal spot to savour delicious food and create unforgettable memories with friends and loved ones.
Tell us about the sustainability initiatives that will be undertaken at the location.
We’ve implemented various measures to minimise our environmental impact and contribute to the preservation of the region’s natural beauty. For instance, we’ve incorporated energy efficient technology throughout the hotel and are very conscious of water conservation.
We made a conscious decision at the very beginning to ensure we are not bringing bottle with an already extensive carbon footprint to the mountain. We were also conscious of the waste that bottled water generates. It was over 12 months of hard work that has allowed us to produce great quality re-mineralised water for our guests in both still and sparkling forms with zero waste generation. The best part of all, is that the water waste generated through this process is treated and all of the farms below the resort enjoy this water all year round for irrigation with zero cost.
And, it goes beyond just energy and water. We partner with brands that are committed to sustainability and to supporting local communities. One example is one of our spa brands Ila, a brand known for its ethical sourcing and support of ethnic minorities. We use their products in our spa treatments, like the Kundalini massage and chakra well-being sessions, which are rooted in traditional wellness practices. Ila understands the importance of supporting these ethnic groups that are so connected to mother nature, so to prevent city migration and ensure their way of life is protected, a portion of all Ila sales go directly back to them.
Our spa, Jala Spa & Wellness, features a really innovative water purification system across all its pools. It combines saline water and a high-tech ultraviolet light filtration system to minimise the use of harsh chemicals.
Could you talk to us about the Vue Rooftop & Lounge and the rejuvenating Jala Spa & Wellness experiences?
Vue Rooftop & Lounge this has been a labour of love. What do you do with a blank canvas situated at over 2,000m above sea level? It would have been easy to just build your usual restaurant space, but we wanted to create something that paid homage to the destination and a space that our guests could enjoy beyond the incredible panoramic view. So, to start with, we lifted a 1983 Land Rover Defender onto the roof and built a dessert truck around it, from here our guests can enjoy re-imagined comfort desserts. Then we installed two glass geodesic domes for private dining and built an extensive menu inspired by Oman’s street food scene and spice trade with Zanzibar. Split into three zones featuring a kid friendly alfresco and indoor dining space plus a lounge for the adults, VUE is a place to relax and have unwind. It is a place not to dine but to graze and enjoy the wide variety of dishes and drinks on offer while soaking in the atmosphere and incredible location. We aimed to create a unique space that celebrates the location and offers more than just stunning views.
Jala Spa & Wellness is another highlight. It’s an oasis of vitality on the Green Mountain, offering a sanctuary of unparalleled purity and rejuvenation. We’ve drawn inspiration from ancient Omani wellness traditions, blending them with contemporary techniques to offer a truly unique experience. You can immerse yourself in the healing waters of the indoor heated vitality pools, enjoy the invigorating Aquamoon rainforest showers, or experience the blissful warmth of the Jala Hammam. Every treatment at Jala is a journey, using organic products and honouring the traditions of the local community.