Team Bariza was invited to experience world-renowned Thai hospitality, entrenched with Oman’s graciousness at dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar. Less than 3-hour drive from Muscat, we were pleasantly transported into the cooler weather of Oman’s scenic green mountain. First things first, you must have a 4-wheel drive to access the steep climb of Jabal Akhdar. The road, however, is good, and well-maintained.
The first Dusit-branded hotel in Oman is indeed a unique destination that draws inspiration from the natural and cultural characteristics of Jabal Akhdar – one of the most prominent tourist spots in the region. Once you reach the resort, the adventure begins! You will find yourself traversing through experiences at every point within the resort.
A conversation with Ms. Mariam Al Araimi, Director of Total Quality Management & Learning Development and with Mr. Gerhard Stutz- General Manager, dusitD2 Naseem Resort, revealed the many unknowns of what has gone into the making, and the functioning of this green resort.
The adoption of environmentally friendly
practices will coerce you to choose wisely and spend time immersing in the many
activities that dusitD2 offers for everyone in the family. “The resort is built
for families from inside and outside of Oman where everyone can enjoy a
breather. We opened at a time of uncertainty, but we drew crowds from within
Oman. Now international tourists have started coming in. We had a good summer,”
says Gerhard as he talked about the resort’s opening in early 2021.
He further explained that dusitD2 has all the facilities, amenities, services, and experiences, that a luxury resort would offer. “We don’t differentiate ourselves from a 5-star property. We want to be distinguished as a complete family destination.” And so is true. Team Bariza indulged in the many activities that the resort had to offer – we enjoyed a cool drink at the pool side, strolled around the vast expanse of the resort seeing the in-house chef garden, the fruit trees, cycled our way around, and ended our day with a scrumptious Italian buffet dinner. Every Thursday, the Verandah restaurant serves authentic Italian complete with an assortment of bread, salads, mains, and desserts.
“There’s more to come,” adds Gerhard excitedly as he talks about building a 2nd pool – an adventure pool for families, and children, an outdoor cinema, a barbecue place where locals can come, and a mini adventure park that includes a kids’ playground.
“Our on-point customer service is a result of the way our employees are trained – how they conduct themselves, the way they meet and greet guests, how they interact – it covers the whole journey of the customer with the hotel,” shares Mariam explaining her role at the hotel. “Dusit chose Oman, and well, there are similarities between the two countries – the humbleness, far-sightedness, the respect, the warmth – so hospitality comes naturally to everyone at dusitD2 Naseem resort.”
The resort offers the incredible beauty of the surrounding mountains, along with an 8,000 sq. meter Adventure Park – a first for the Sultanate, creating the perfect environment for an exciting, yet relaxing stay. This park is truly a delight for those who love an adrenaline rush!
Alongside breathtaking views, guests can enjoy a wide range of facilities, including an all-day dining restaurant, a fitness centre, a large outdoor swimming pool, a specialty restaurant, a Kids Club, and a signature Namm spa offering traditional Thai-inspired massage therapies and treatments.
Elaborating on the beauty of the destination, Marie Villaroman, Learning and Development Officer at dusitD2 said, “Along with being a strikingly beautiful destination, Jabal Akhdar is also blessed with cooler weather throughout the year. The green mountain of Oman, as Jabal Akhdar is famously called, is also appreciated by local and international tourists alike. Amidst these scenic views, at dusitD2, one can find infinite soul regeneration opportunities as well as heart-pumping activities, making it a top choice for those seeking the right mix of both relaxation and adventure. The resort also offers guided tours to explore historical places like old villages and natural canyons as well as day trips to farms, plantations, and the popular ‘Rose Garden’.”
Catering to the minutest details for a traveler’s seamless engagement and experience with the resort, Gerhard speaks about the finer nuances, “We have our own private clinic. We are planning to introduce a shuttle bus, which will be a paid service, but it will provide ease to non-4-wheel drivers who want to come and experience Jabal Akhdar with us.”
Aside from the complete entertainment that it offers to one and all, the resort thrives on sustainable options, such as, local sourcing, in-house produce, a complete paperless experience, and more. “Fruits and eggs are sourced from the local market – we have also planted 150 fruit trees – there will be 100 more planted. We have a water bottling plant right here in the resort. There is no paper in guest rooms, and whatever is there is recyclable. Food containers, plastic bags are all recyclable. The check-in is also paperless.” He adds. Interestingly, Gerhard tells us that until today they have had only one request for a paper!
“There is a systematic approach to
collaborating with the community. We source from one farmer, and there is also
a collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos farm for olive oil, and rose water,”
says Mariam. “It is our promise to provide experiences that focus on providing
the four Dusit Graciousness Pillars personalised services, well-being, local
connections, and sustainability. We stay committed to these by being a green
hotel in Jabal Akhdar – seeking ways to reduce waste, conserve natural
resources, and promote eco-friendly practices across our entire operations with
the aim of having a positive social and environmental impact.”
