Review: Alila Hinu Bay, Oman

Alila Hinu Bay location

Alila Hinu Bay is positioned on the coast within the southwest of Oman, close to the nation’s border with Yemen (don’t fear, the world could be very secure). The resort is positioned round a 70 minute drive from Salalah Worldwide Airport (SLL), which has direct flights to Muscat, in addition to different quick haul worldwide locations within the area.

We determined to lease a automobile whereas in Salalah, and located driving to be simple — the street high quality is superb, the roads aren’t congested, and driving is pretty civil (there are pace cameras all over the place, so be sure you stick with the pace restrict).

The closest city to Alila Hinu Bay is Mirbat, and that’s possibly 10 minutes by automobile from the resort. I’ll discuss extra about that in a bit. However generally Alila Hinu Bay is really in the midst of nowhere, and very distant. I’ve to say, driving to the resort at round 4:30AM after some lengthy flights was fairly an journey, particularly given the dearth of road lights for a lot of the journey.

Alila Hinu Bay foyer, format, & check-in

We arrived at Alila Hinu Bay earlier than 6AM, so clearly it was the evening shift nonetheless working. Nonetheless we had been shortly assisted by a entrance desk agent and bellman. The resort has complimentary parking, and you may both park your self, or have the resort employees do it for you.

Alila Hinu Bay would possibly simply be the most important resort I’ve ever stayed at when it comes to the dimensions of the property. The resort solely has 112 rooms (unfold throughout dozens of buildings), however I can’t even say how enormous this property is. You might simply stroll miles per day with out leaving the property.

The foyer of the resort is simply close to the doorway, and sits on the highest level of the property.

That is the place reception is positioned.

There’s additionally loads of seating right here, and there’s somewhat foyer bar space, with espresso, tea, and sweets. There was indoor seating, in addition to a phenomenal out of doors terrace, which had unbelievable views of the resort, particularly at sundown.

The quantity of effort that went into the structure of this place is spectacular.

For probably the most half the resort feels prefer it’s absolutely performed, however then there are some areas that really feel like an afterthought. For instance, there’s an space for a present store that’s completely empty, after which there’s one thing described as a “visitor ready lounge,” which simply has a U-shaped sofa, after which some awkwardly positioned chairs and occasional tables.

Our check-in course of was environment friendly, and inside a couple of minutes we had been on our approach to our lodging.

Alila Hinu Bay deluxe pool villa

We had been assigned room 111, one of many property’s 4 deluxe pool villas. Whereas we had been pushed to our room by golf cart (with baggage), in any other case we all the time walked. Ford managed to get his 12,500 each day steps in with just about no effort right here. The beneath photos would possibly provide you with a way of how enormous this property is (and that is solely a small a part of the resort).

I’ve seen some individuals point out that the property nearly seems like a building zone, and crops haven’t absolutely grown in but. I can see that, although frankly I believed there was a sure allure to the ruggedness. For instance, I really like Los Cabos, and the final “desert meets see” panorama. That’s precisely what that is.

The resort’s 4 deluxe pool villas are all positioned in the identical space, with two buildings every containing two villas.

Deluxe pool villas are described as being 175 sq. meters (~1,880 sq. ft), although that presumably contains the out of doors area. I’d say the inside area was possibly somewhat greater than half of that.

The room featured an entryway main into the lounge.

You might host fairly a celebration in the lounge when it comes to the quantity of seating — there was an extended bench by the window, after which two sofas, together with a TV.

The minibar space was over close to the doorway, and had a Nespresso espresso machine, kettle, and mini-fridge.

Whereas the mini-fridge was initially empty, we had been requested if we needed the minibar stocked. Right here’s what that seemed like.

When reserving via Hyatt Privé you get a welcome amenity, and we bought a beautiful one, consisting of a charcuterie plate, a fruit plate, some sweets, and a few contemporary juice. This resort additionally appears to take nice care of Globalists (I’m guessing they don’t get many Globalist members right here).

On the opposite facet of a wall was the room’s bed room, which featured a snug king dimension mattress, plus an arrogance with a mirror.

The lavatory was behind the bed room, and featured double sinks, a partitioned off bathroom, and an enormous walk-in double bathe.

Toiletries had been in reusable containers.

There was even an outside bathtub that was walled in, proper close to the bathe.

Probably the most spectacular a part of the villa was the beautiful out of doors area, which featured a pool, two lounge chairs, after which somewhat lined space with a sofa. We arrived on the resort proper round dawn, so what a deal with the view was!

The one distinction between the villas at this property is the view. The deluxe pool villas benefit from having “direct seashore entry,” however don’t anticipate a standard seashore. The beneath provides you a way of the view from our room.

Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free. Moreover, our room was refreshed twice a day, and on prime of that every evening we had been introduced a distinct candy deal with within the night. I can’t say sufficient good issues about all of the employees at this resort, and that features the housekeeping crew.

General I believed the villa was nice. I’m not essentially positive it’s price paying a premium for the deluxe pool villa, since I’m wondering how completely different the view actually was. However nonetheless, total I believed the worth was fairly good. My solely constructive suggestions (which is difficult to repair at this level) is that I want the villa had a second half tub, as that’s all the time a pleasant function.

Alila Hinu Bay swimming pools & seashore

Alila Hinu Bay has two swimming pools. The first pool is by Sea Salt Restaurant (which is the most well-liked place within the resort), and this can be a beautiful infinity-edge pool. The resort was abandoned once we had been there, so this nearly felt like a personal pool.

This pool additionally seems down on a part of the seashore. Personally I actually wouldn’t view Alila Hinu Bay as a seashore vacation spot, as there are a lot prettier seashores elsewhere.

There was additionally a second pool nearer to reception, which was a bit smaller but in addition very good.

The resort has fairly a little bit of shoreline. I assume some would name it a seashore, however in case you’re coming right here for a seashore vacation, you’ll most likely be disillusioned.

By the best way, whereas we’re speaking about swimming pools and the seashore, be sure you deliver plenty of sunscreen. The UV index was persistently 10-11 throughout the day — don’t be deceived simply because it’s not that sizzling. Fortuitously I’m married to somebody who’s obsessive about not getting burned, so we all the time used sunscreen. In the meantime I felt like a few of our fellow company had been lobster-colored by the tip of their stays.

Alila Hinu Bay spa

Alila Hinu Bay has a spa in a standalone constructing, and it’s glorious. I’m not normally one to get spa therapies, as there are different issues I’d sometimes favor doing. Nevertheless, the tempo of life is a bit slower at Alila Hinu Bay, so we did get a few spa therapies.

Yow will discover the spa menu right here. Throughout our keep they had been working a 25% off promotion in case you bought a remedy earlier than 3PM. For instance, a 90 minute therapeutic massage ordinarily prices 60OMR (~$156), however with the 25% low cost price 45OMR (~$116). I’d think about that to be fairly cheap for a wonderful remedy, particularly when you think about that you may earn factors for spa therapies.

At the beginning of the remedy we had been provided iced hibiscus tea, and on the conclusion of the remedy we had been provided frankincense tea with home made granola.

The massages had been excellent, and the therapists couldn’t have been kinder.

As you’d anticipate, the spa space additionally has steam rooms, a small out of doors pool space, and many others.

Alila Hinu Bay fitness center

Alila Hinu Bay has a 24/7 fitness center. Whereas not leading edge, it featured an excellent quantity of cardio and weight gear, particularly for a secluded resort. The employees did apologize that the fitness center wasn’t utterly performed but, as they’re apparently nonetheless ready on some gear.

Alila Hinu Bay The Orchard Restaurant (breakfast)

Alila Hinu Bay has two eating places — The Orchard Restaurant is positioned close to reception, and serves breakfast, whereas Sea Salt Restaurant is on the principal pool, and serves lunch and dinner. Let’s begin with The Orchard Restaurant.

It’s properly appointed, and has each loads of indoor and out of doors seating.

Breakfast was phenomenal. Parts had been deliberately small, to be able to encourage individuals to pattern every kind of issues. Yow will discover the menu beneath.

Every morning we had been provided an “eye opener,” plus espresso of alternative.

There was additionally a choice of contemporary juices, which we loved.

A bread basket was additionally introduced out every morning, containing all the pieces from an olive unfold, to a home made chocolate and date unfold, to native honey.

Over the course of our keep we tried fairly a number of issues, together with the fruit plate…

And the home made granola…

And the shakshuka…

And the Omani dango…

And the eggplant fatteh…

And the eggs benedict…

And the french toast…

Breakfast was a feast, and the employees had been so attentive, and continually inspired us to order extra.

Alila Hinu Bay Sea Salt Restaurant (lunch & dinner)

Sea Salt Restaurant is Alila Hinu Bay’s lunch and dinner restaurant, positioned by the primary pool.

It has an indoor eating space, an outside eating space, after which additionally a big out of doors bar space.

I believed the bar space specifically was properly designed, and it was an amazing place from which to work.

An enormous shout out to Yousef and Ukrash, two of the bartenders. These guys weren’t simply pleasant, however had been very keen about cocktails. We’re not simply speaking about them being good at making conventional cocktails, however reasonably they’d their very own twists on all the pieces. I’ll let the images converse largely for themselves, however the drinks right here had been a really nice shock.

We had been often provided banana chips with a scrumptious spicy chili sauce.

So far as the meals goes, Alila Hinu Bay has a Singaporean chef, and he’s unbelievable. The main focus of Sea Salt is Southeast Asian delicacies, so you have got all the pieces from Thai dishes, to Singaporean dishes, to Indonesian dishes. And so they’re all very properly performed. The catch is that there’s not a lot selection when it comes to the meals on property — that is the one restaurant open for lunch and dinner.

Yow will discover the menu beneath (for context, 1 OMR is roughly 2.5 USD).

At the beginning of each meal there was some form of an amuse bouche, which was fairly substantial.

Over the course of our keep we tried fairly a number of of the dishes on the menu, together with the smoked tofu and sprouts salad…

And the vegetable Tom Yum soup…

And the hen satay…

And the shrimp with chili sauce…

And the Phad Kra Pao…

And the Kare Sayur…

And the Pad Thai…

What’s additionally good is that the chef is very happy to customise dishes, and even make one thing not on the menu. The chef often got here out and checked on company, and by our final evening we requested if there was the rest he may put together for us that wasn’t on the menu (since we had loved most issues already). He appeared excited by the problem. He simply requested us what number of programs we needed, and mentioned to go away the remaining to him.

He didn’t disappoint. He began us off with a scrumptious hen mushroom dumpling soup. Yum.

For the primary we had a spicy beef dish.

Then for dessert we had a coconut pistachio cake.

The meals at Alila Hinu Bay is phenomenal, and in case you’re a fan of Southeast Asian delicacies, you’ll love this place. The one catch is the dearth of selection. Ford and I really like Southeast Asian meals, however ideally not for lunch and dinner a number of days in a row.

Alila Hinu Bay room service

Sooner or later we determined to order room service lunch, and you’ll find the room service menu right here. We ordered an avocado fattoush salad, a falafel wrap, and a beef burger. We loved all of those dishes, and it was good to get some selection from the usual menu. I’d guess that they’d most likely additionally allow you to order these things on the restaurant, although we by no means tried.

Alila Hinu Bay service

Throughout the board I can’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the employees at Alila Hinu Bay. We stayed at 4 accommodations in Oman, and the service at Alila Hinu Bay was by far one of the best. Admittedly this was additionally by far the emptiest property we stayed at — at occasions we felt like we had the resort to ourselves.

The employees at Alila Hinu Bay weren’t solely attentive and pleasant, but in addition had a lot persona throughout the board. They confirmed real curiosity in company having a good time. The employees had been largely worldwide (together with from India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mauritius, Philippines, and many others.), they usually all actually appeared to get pleasure from their jobs. From speaking to them they’d largely labored somewhere else within the Center East, and plenty of favored simply how laid again this place was.

I additionally appreciated how fingers on administration was. The entrance workplace supervisor continually checked on company, as did the final supervisor. It was additionally a pleasant contact how the chef would continually test on company whereas eating, to see if they’d any particular requests.

What to do at Alila Hinu Bay

That is the facet of Alila Hinu Bay that I’m conflicted about. Alila Hinu Bay is a calming property the place you could possibly simply simply lounge by the pool, get spa therapies, and eat superb meals all day. However what’s there to do off property?

The city of Mirbat is a few 10 minute drive away. The city has some historical past, provided that the Battle of Mirbat occurred right here in 1972. The city offers you a style for what smaller cities in Oman are like, and likewise has some good coastal views, however in any other case I can’t say that I discovered it to be probably the most charming city. The city was nonetheless reasonably dilapidated, because it’s clear that loads of stuff hasn’t been rebuilt from the unrest a number of many years in the past.

The resort does additionally supply quite a lot of experiences, which you’ll find right here. For instance, you may get superb views from Jabal Samhan, or go to Wadi Darbat. These are issues which are cool and maybe price seeing, however they paled compared to the experiences and views from Alila Jabal Akhdar, the opposite Alila property we stayed at in Oman.

In order that’s the facet of the property that leaves me most conflicted. It’s nearly like somebody determined they needed to construct a resort right here it doesn’t matter what, they usually’d work out what company ought to do after the actual fact.

Backside line

I’m so completely happy I had the prospect to take a look at Alila Hinu Bay, which is a property I’ve been eyeing since manner earlier than opening. There’s loads we liked about Alila Hinu Bay, together with the unbelievable service, superb meals, strong spa, and the quantity of huge open areas. The truth that the resort was roughly empty didn’t damage both.

On the similar time, I wrestle to reply the query of whether or not I like to recommend others go to, and whether or not I’d return. So a number of ideas alongside these strains:

• That is positively extra of a spot for individuals who have in any other case traveled loads; in different phrases, in case you’ve solely ever visited a number of international locations, this property shouldn’t be on the prime of your checklist
• In the event you’re a World of Hyatt loyalist and are particularly in search of out good Hyatts, this can be a property to contemplate
• In the event you like good spas, nice Southeast Asian meals, and simply chilling, you’ll love this place
• I feel there’s a component of “hen or egg” right here, within the sense that eating choices are presently very restricted, however presumably that’s additionally as a result of occupancy is so low; I’d like to see them finally open The Orchard as an all-day eating restaurant as properly, ideally serving Omani delicacies

In conclusion, we loved our keep at Alila Hinu Bay (for the primary two days we liked the property, whereas for the final couple of days we loved it however felt a bit bored). I’m undecided I must return (just because there are such a lot of different locations I nonetheless wish to go to), however for some individuals I feel this can be a nice property to contemplate.

What’s your tackle Alila Hinu Bay — would you think about a go to?