Experience a retreat in the home of frankincense at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

On the southern coast of Oman, between a tranquil lagoon and the Arabian Sea, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara merges natural beauty and effortless luxury. From energy-efficient systems to locally sourced produce, the resort shows its focus on sustainability and its connection to the land.

Surrounded by frankincense groves and framed by indigo mountains, the resort sits just 15 minutes from Salalah Airport and within easy reach of the city’s heritage sites and vibrant souqs. We flew from Dubai, and an hour later arrived to Salalah’s low temperatures and quieter roads, a stark contrast to the bustle we’d left behind.

We arrived at dusk and entered through the grand entrance arches inspired by Islamic design, their curves echoing the graceful palms outside. Inside, the lobby was calm and welcoming, with communal seating dressed in bright kilim fabrics and soft cushions, recessed walls displaying local antiques and artwork, lanterns casting a warm glow, and black-stone water features leading the eye toward the lagoon.

Accommodation

The 136 rooms and villas, including private pool retreats and a three-bedroom Royal Beach Pool Villa, are conceived with handcrafted furnishings and views over the sea, lagoon, or gardens. Tropical gardens, palm-lined walkways, and tranquil water features cultivate an atmosphere of serenity.

We stayed in a one-bedroom garden view pool villa with a 20m2 pool that you could reach directly from both the lounge and the bedroom. Inside, the living area felt calm and spacious with majlis-style sofas, a small kitchenette, a minibar, snacks, a Nespresso machine and a 49-inch TV.

The bedroom carried the same low-set majlis seating beside the king bed, looking out to the pool. A walk-in closet held robes, a beach bag and other practical touches, while the marble bathroom came with a deep tub, a rain shower and simple bath salts and soaps. The blend of Omani materials and modern finishes gave the villa a unique touch. Look out for the beach volleyball and frisbee in the villa to take with you on the short walk to the private beach.

Culinary highlights

Culinary offerings at the resort range from all-day world flavours at Sakalan to Southeast Asian dishes at Mekong and Mediterranean fare at Al Mina. For dinner, we headed to Al Mina, a large outdoor restaurant open all day with views of the beach and infinity pool. The menu spans Mediterranean and Middle Eastern à la carte dishes, from pizza to traditional Arabic starters.

As part of our Frankincense farm-to-table experience, we tried the two-course harvest lunch, featuring produce sourced directly from the resort’s in-house farm. The vibrant garden harvest salad bar included fresh tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, rucola, mint and basil, topped with crumbled local cheese and toasted Omani bread cubes, served with soft frankincense butter. A dressing station offered a zesty lemon-frankincense vinaigrette to finish.

For mains, we had the spicy frankincense-infused coastal catch wraps. Grilled fish marinated with red chilies, fresh coconut and a herb salsa of mint, coriander, chilli and lime was wrapped in coconut leaves, delivering a true showstopper.

Later, for dinner, we made our way back to Al Mina to try their à la carte menu. We began with the Crispy Prawns, light tempura prawns with a citrus and garlic marinade, served with a touch of spicy mayonnaise. The Greek Salad was fresh, with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, feta, olives and a lemon and oregano dressing. The Pumpkin Soup was a table favourite, served with lobster tail and a hint of truffle, was smooth and gently seasoned. For mains, we had the Tuna alla Siciliana, a perfectly seared fillet with cherry tomatoes, olives, capers and roasted potatoes. We finished on a sweet note with the Millefeuille, crisp puff pastry layered with pistachio cream and cherry compote, a light and satisfying end to the meal.

The next morning, breakfast at Sakalan offered a generous buffet with something for everyone. Fresh juices, tea and coffee started the day, alongside chicken sausages, hashbrowns, shakshuka, rotating curries, scrambled eggs, a cheese and bread selection, and a variety of salads and pastries.

Facilities

Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara has something for everyone. The infinity pool stretches toward the lagoon, dotted with sun loungers and cabanas, while the beach hosts daily volleyball and football games. Behind the main building, the gym, tennis court and bike rentals keep active guests moving, and the kids’ club offers a play garden, pool, and game room to keep little ones entertained. For quieter moments, the library near reception is perfect for spending time with a book, in peace.

The spa is a calm counterpoint to the buzz of the resort, with five treatment rooms, wet areas, a Thai massage room and nail spa. Treatments highlight local ingredients such as frankincense, coconuts and pomegranates, with experiences including the four-hand Frankincense Ritual, Coconut Indulgence, and Salalah’s first hammam. Couples can also enjoy side-by-side massages in candlelit privacy, while the rasul room lets guests apply mineral mud before relaxing in steam.

The farm-to-table-to-spa Frankincense Experience is a highlight. Guided by the resort’s Farm Guru, Adil Hussain, we wandered the 4,000sqm farm, spotting okra, dragon fruit, bananas and over 30 different crops, learning about composting and sustainability along the way. Produce from the farm feeds the kitchens, and the harvest lunch felt like a continuation of the tour, with every ingredient quietly recalling the crops we had seen with Adil, making the meal immersive and threaded with the story of our farm walk. After the tour, a frankincense scrub and facial tied the day together.

Book now

From AED3,700 per night for the One Bedroom Garden View Pool Villa. Visit anantara.com/en/al-baleed-salalah.