Mirbat sits at the eastern edge of Dhofar, where the khareef mist softens the escarpment and the Arabian Sea meets a coastline of volcanic rock and pale sand — an unlikely place, in other words, for a resort that feels this precisely calibrated to its terrain. Alila Hinu Bay, which arrived in 2021 across 45 hectares of this southwest Omani shore, was designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Jaidah and his practice Arab Engineering Bureau, and the project carries the seriousness you would expect from an architect who has spent his career arguing for a contemporary Gulf architecture rooted in the region's own formal vocabulary. The 112-key resort draws on Omani vernacular traditions without reaching for pastiche: Omani marble surfaces the facades, falaj water channels thread through the grounds, and archway corridors echo the shaded passageways of historic Dhofari settlements. The images confirm a palette of considerable restraint — dark chocolate tadelakt-style panels anchoring the guestroom headwalls, jute rugs grounding the limestone tile floors, slat-panelled lantern pendants casting geometric shadow patterns that recall carved plasterwork screens. The restaurant extends across large-format stone pavers toward full-height glazing that frames raw volcanic outcrops beyond. At the pools, timber pergolas with woven-reed canopies line the dark-tiled water, their reflections doubling the geometry at dusk. The 16 pool villas and 96 guestrooms range from 60 to 175 square metres, each positioned along the site's natural contours so that the desert, lagoon, and sea remain in constant, unhurried view.

45min drive from Salalah airport (SLL)

Unrolling along a natural beach on Oman’s southwest coast, just mere steps away from the Arabian Sea, Alila Hinu Bay hosts a seemingly endless bay and a private beach. A stunning beachfront resort that radiates sophistication, vibrancy and vivacity, offering an indulgence of luscious lifestyle facilities, an ecological escape and a glimpse into the wildlife charm that the scenic Dhofar region has to offer. The ultimate expression of contemporary style, the 112 rooms and pool villas at Alila Hinu Bay are an exquisite composite of thoughtfully designed spaces, unparalleled quality in detail and comfort built for artisanal living. The resort welcomes guests to dine at SeaSalt and Lobby Lounge. Other facilities available include a swimming pool, event venues, and a spa and wellness centre. Alila Hinu Bay offers a variety of daily and unique activities such as hiking, yoga, meditation, cooking classes and picnic to discover the many surprising sides of Dhofar.