EMOTIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
by Soledad de Gervais
During the last decade, high-end hotels have been putting strong emphasis on creating pleasant and memorable experiences for their clients. Today, hotel architects and interior designers are getting increasingly involved in this process, placing the creation of spaces with deeper emotional resonance at the very the heart of the construction process. A resort’s aesthetic and character come to life through an architectural concept that understands and enhances the history and heritage unique to a place. An essential element to an unforgettable hospitality experience is the capacity of its architects and designers to write or rewrite the story of each space, from soothing hideaways to energizing panoramic al fresco areas, from uplifting sleek rooftops to lavishly romantic alcoves. We’ve rounded up here are some exceptional hotels that perfectly illustrate this approach.
WHEN DESIGN TELLS THE STORIES OF THE PLACE... SULTANATE OF OMAN: AL BALEED RESORT SALALAH BY ANANTARA
Unique luxury resort in the province of Dhofa, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara opened its doors in 2017. It enjoys a breathtaking coastal location between a natural lagoon and pristine sandy beach. The design brief was to create a proper- ty in line with the local architecture integrating the natural environment without looking out of place or obtuse. So, famed architects and designers immersed in Oman culture and legacy to deliver a stunning resort boasting an unequalled level of sense of place, perfectly blending traditional Omani design with elegant contemporary elements.
The story behind the architectural concept. In earlier times, the villages surroun- ding Salalah featured a majestic main building or fort which housed the Sheikh (ruler) of the local community built on higher ground to govern his municipality from above. The main house also served as a place for education and social interaction, including visiting tribesmen, to share stories and exchange the latest news. The village houses, smaller than the main house and scattered amongst palm trees below, formed a myriad of fascinating path and alley ways. The façades of their mud brick walls also formed the village boundary, punctuated by an imposing wooden entrance gate. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara has taken this concept to recreate a village-like atmosphere. Behind striking wooden Omani carved wooden doors, the white-washed main building houses the recep- tion and lobby, Sakalan restaurant and 30 guest rooms boasting incredible sea views. Dotted amongst 700 coconut palms lie the 88 one- and two-bedroom pool villas with traditional flat roofs, private entrance, and intimate courtyards, widely spread out for privacy and comfort.
The resort’s interiors boast traditional elements incorporating a communal seating area originally used to greet guests with Arabic coffee or tea, dressed in bright kilim fabrics and soft cushions. Recessed walls are adorned with local antiques and artwork, with lanterns scattered throughout to create a peaceful ambiance. The use of symmetry is also an important feature throughout the grounds with raised black-stone water features mimicking the ancient Falaj irrigation system running towards important focal points, the ocean and the lagoon. The stunning entrance arches embrace the beauty of Islamic architecture to complement the natural landscape and the palm trees, imitating the curve of their graceful branches. The arch was designed for structural and functional purposes and is a key feature of this type of architecture, but it is now predominately used for decorative purposes. The arch features throughout the hotel, with the most spectacular examples found in the lobby and the spa, helping to create an authentic atmosphere. The Moroccan inspired design in the spa helps to complement the hammam and rasul mud treat- ment room which are the first of their kind in Southern Oman.
The resort is managed by Anantara, a luxury hotel group famed for its capacity to connect travelers to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences. Each detail of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara pays tribute to these values.
anantara.com