will have its first luxury resort next year when Alila Hotels and Resorts opens it's first Middle East property.

Alila Jabal Akhdar? will be set 2000 metres above sea level two hours drive from Muscat overlooking a dramatic gorge and with views of the Hajar mountains.

The group beleves its position will encourage adventure travellers, nature lovers and tourists looking to escape the heat of the desert.

The hotel will have 78 rooms, six suites and two royal villas along with a cliff-side restaurant, pool, spa, fitness centre and events space.

President Mark Edleson said: “The Jabal Akhdar region is the perfect location for our first foray into the Middle East.

“Its combination of interesting natural eco-systems, physical beauty and intriguing history and culture perfectly fit within our development philosophy.”

The appeal of the region is its temperate Mediterranean climate and natural beauty and there are plans to develop its infrastructure and tourism market further.

Alila also has projects underway in Indonesia and plans to expand into China a