Alabri Home beckons visitors to experience serenity and silence in the Hajar mountains

2026-02-15 - 14:39

Lovingly restored from a 130-year-old mountain dwelling, Alabri Home, in the lap of the Hajar Mountains, invites visitors to rediscover luxury through heritage, authenticity, and the quiet art of slowing down. Hubert Vaz examines the project High in the solemn grandeur of Oman’s Hajar Mountains, where time seems to move at the unhurried pace of drifting clouds, a century-old home has been brought back to life with remarkable sensitivity... Alabri Home, nestled in Wajmah village, does not announce itself with spectacle; instead, it reveals its character gently — through weathered stone, restored timber, and spaces that honour memory as much as design. This 130-year-old dwelling has been revived with an uncommon restraint, preserving its original spirit while shaping it into an intimate boutique retreat. Conceived around five elemental ideas — to flow like water, breathe the scent of nature, dream with open eyes, taste the secret of food, and embrace the silence of self — the property offers something increasingly rare in modern travel – the luxury of stillness. In an exclusive interview with Muscat Daily, Boleta Senkiene, Honorary Consul of the Sultanate of Oman in Lithuania and Coordinator of Wajmah – 5 Elements Village Heritage Project (Alabri Home), reveals the story behind the dream. Alabri Home is described as a revival ‘stone by stone, beam by beam.’ You represent the foreign investor in this project. What first moved the owner to restore this 130-year-old house instead of building something entirely new? Oman is home to many remarkable historical villages which, over time, have been abandoned and left in a state of quiet ruin. When Nicolas Ortiz, the Lithuanian investor behind the Wajmah – Five Elements Village heritage project, learned about these forgotten places, he felt a strong calling to restore one of these hidden gems and bring life back to it. With the support of Jitka T Mulacova, a long-term resident of Oman and an experienced travel counsellor and guide with deep knowledge of the off-the-beaten-path locations of the Hajar Mountains, the team identified the ideal site: Al Abri Home in Wajmah, a remote village nestled in the heart of Wadi Sahtan, within the Wilayat of Rustaq. At its core, my idea was driven by emotion — a desire to give something meaningful back to the Omani rural community. As the vision evolved and the tourism potential of such heritage locations became clear, this heartfelt initiative was carefully shaped into a sustainable business concept. Do you remember the moment you first saw the property and imagined what it could become? What did you see then that others perhaps did not? A: The first encounter with the property actually belongs to Jitka T Mulacova, who discovered it almost by chance during one of her mountain trekking journeys many years ago. At that time, Wajmah was not a tourist destination, and Al Abri Home stood abandoned and in ruins. Yet, as she recalls, ‘something about it touched my heart deeply — its breathtaking position overlooking the Wadi Sahtan, the delicate architectural details hidden beneath decay, and the profound peace and serenity that seemed to breathe from every stone.’ What others may have seen as a forgotten structure, she sensed as a place with a soul – one quietly waiting to be restored and allowed to live again. Even today, as we have opened the village to tourism, this ‘secret location’, far-removed from mainstream tourist routes, remains our greatest added value. It perfectly reflects our philosophy of slow-paced travel and deep, meaningful experiences, where guests are invited not just to visit a place, but to truly feel it. How important was it for you to preserve the original soul of the house rather than modernise it completely? Where did you draw the line between restoration and reinvention? Preserving the original soul of the house was our guiding principle from the very beginning, strongly shaped by the vision of the investor, Nicolas Ortiz. Our intention was never to modernise the house, but to allow it to remain true to itself. To achieve this, we engaged European architects and conservation experts for their know-how and excellence in heritage restoration, while working closely with local restoration specialists for the practical implementation on site. For example, all our walls have been restored using sarooj — a traditional natural clay plaster historically used in Oman, which allows the walls to breathe naturally. We made a conscious and strict decision to avoid modern materials such as glass or artificial plasters. All our rooms are built using only stone, wood, and metal, in keeping with traditional construction methods. This approach also enabled us to minimise the use of air conditioning in most of the rooms, relying instead on the natural thermal regulation provided by thick stone walls. While restoring the house using traditional materials and techniques, our commitment to authenticity is what truly distinguishes our property from many other heritage restoration projects in Oman. The resort is built around five evocative elements — flow like water, scent of nature, dream with open eyes, taste the secret of food, and silence of self. How did this philosophy take shape? The philosophy grew directly from the place itself. When our onsite team began restoring the house, they gradually realised that all five elements were already present in the village. They existed in the way people move through the landscape, in the scents of earth and stone, in moments of quiet observation, in the cups of qahwa shared with villagers, and in the deep silence of the mountains. The philosophy didn’t need to be invented – it simply needed to be recognised and preserved. Could you explain how each element translates into the guest experience? Each element is woven subtly into the guest journey rather than presented as a fixed activity. Flow like water is experienced in movement – walking through narrow village paths, following terraces and aflaj irrigation channels, transitioning naturally from one space to another without rigid schedules. The architecture encourages wandering, not rushing. Scent of nature comes alive through the materials we use – old stone, wood, earth, herbs, and local plants. There are no artificial fragrances; instead, guests experience the natural aromas of the mountains, soil, and traditional cooking. Dream with open eyes is about perspective. Whether it’s waking up to the mountains, sitting on a terrace under the stars, or watching village life unfold, guests find moments that feel unreal yet deeply grounded – like a waking dream. Taste the secret of food is not about luxury dining, but about memory. Meals are inspired by local traditions, seasonal ingredients, and slow preparation – food that carries stories rather than recipes. Hear the silence, hear of self is perhaps the most powerful element. It’s found in quiet corners, early mornings, evenings without screens, and moments where there is nothing to do – and nothing expected. The silence is not empty, it’s restorative. How do you balance exclusivity with environmental responsibility? For us, exclusivity and environmental responsibility are inseparable. By hosting a limited number of guests, we reduce pressure on the landscape while preserving privacy, silence, and authenticity. Staying small allows us to protect the natural balance of the place and offer an experience that is intentionally far removed from mass tourism. How has creating Alabri Home transformed you personally? All members of the team – whether involved in major decisions or smaller, quieter moments of the project – agree that this project has taught us patience and respect. Restoring an old house and bringing it back to life forces you to slow down, listen, and accept that not everything can or should be controlled. The project reshaped how we think about time, success, and progress – less about speed, more about meaning. When the resort is quiet and guests are asleep, what does this house mean to you in that moment? In those moments, the house feels alive and complete. It is calm, grounded, and deeply present – almost as if it is resting. For me, it’s a reminder that we didn’t create something new, we simply gave an old house the space to breathe again. In today’s fast-paced travel culture, do you see Alabri Home as an antidote — a place that invites guests to slow down and reconnect? Yes, very much so – but gently. Alabri Home is not about escaping the world; it’s about returning to yourself. In a time when travel is often rushed and over-curated, Wajmah offers something rare: permission to stop, breathe, slow down and be yourself. There are no forced itineraries, no constant stimulation. Instead, the experience invites guests to listen – to nature, to their surroundings, and to themselves. Many guests arrive seeking a destination, but they leave with a sense of clarity and grounding. In that way, Alabri Home becomes less of a resort and more of a quiet conversation between the guest and the place. Reviving a century-old mountain home must have come with surprises. What were the biggest challenges during restoration? For our team, the greatest challenge was removing the old parts, cleaning, lifting and separating it safely without damage. It demanded patience, precision, and respect for every fragile layer of the past. Did you work with local craftsmen and traditional building methods? How important was community involvement in this journey? Yes, local craftsmanship and traditional building methods have been essential to the restoration process. We worked closely with local craftsmen, particularly in stonework – such as the rebuilding of agricultural stone terraces and the falaj – as well as in woodwork and traditional plastering. Their knowledge was indispensable, not only for technical accuracy but for preserving the spirit of the place. However, this journey is far from complete. We continue to collect and document local knowledge related to traditional water management and agricultural practices once used in the village. Around three decades ago, Wajmah was considered one of the greenest oases in Oman, a landscape that gradually declined as mountain spring water levels diminished. Our aim is to ensure that these agricultural skills and environmental wisdom are not lost to future generations. We are actively working toward reviving agricultural activities in Wajmah, with strong involvement from the local community. In doing so, the project moves beyond physical restoration, becoming a living, evolving heritage shaped together with the people who have long been part of its story. Were there any discoveries – architectural or personal – that changed your vision midway? Yes. Architecturally, we discovered that the original structure performed better when traditional materials and methods were respected -particularly in terms of natural cooling and ventilation. This led us to minimise modern interventions. On a personal level, the process reinforced the importance of restraint and informed many of our decisions as the restoration progressed. Wajmah village sits quietly within the grandeur of the Hajar Mountains. How does the landscape shape the emotional experience of staying at Alabri Home? The Hajar Mountains have a quiet authority – they don’t impress loudly, but they hold you. When guests arrive, there is often an immediate shift – the scale of the mountain peaks makes personal worries feel smaller, time stretches, and silence becomes comfortable rather than unsettling. Living within this landscape teaches patience and presence. The changing light, the cooler evenings, the sound of wind and birds—all gently guide guests into a slower emotional rhythm. Many travellers today seek authenticity rather than luxury alone. How do you interpret ‘authentic luxury’? A: Authentic luxury is the absence of excess. It’s space, silence, and comfort that feels honest. Sleeping in rooms built from stone and wood, on natural linens, eating food rooted in local tradition, and experiencing hospitality that feels personal rather than staged. Luxury, for us, is something you feel—not something you display. Do you see your property as a retreat, a cultural bridge, or perhaps even a form of storytelling? It is all three, but storytelling comes first. Alabri Home tells the story of a village, a way of life, and a relationship between people and landscape that has endured for generations. The architecture, the materials, the food, and even the silences carry narratives that don’t need translation. As a retreat, it offers rest. As a cultural bridge, it connects guests to Omani heritage in a way that is lived rather than displayed. But ultimately, we hope guests leave not just with memories, but with a deeper understanding of place—one they carry quietly with them long after they’ve left Wajmah. What culinary philosophy guides your kitchen? Our kitchen is guided by memory rather than technique. We focus on simplicity, seasonality, and respect for locally sourced, predominantly organic ingredients – allowing flavours to unfold slowly and naturally. The ‘secret’ is not a recipe, but an intention – food prepared with patience, humility, and a connection to place. Are traditional Omani flavours central to the menu, or do you lean toward contemporary interpretations? Traditional Omani flavours form the foundation of our menu, yet our overall culinary approach is intentionally broader. While honouring these roots, we reinterpret and gently reinvent certain recipes, creating a subtle culinary fusion, allowing us to cater to diverse, international guests while still weaving in subtle local influences. The focus is on balance -—comfort, familiarity, and a gentle sense of place rather than strict culinary boundaries. At the same time, we continue researching old regional recipes that have gradually faded from memory, seeking to reintroduce them in thoughtful, contemporary ways. Flexibility is also central to our philosophy. Our chef enjoys experimenting with local ingredients and flavours and is always ready to create dishes beyond the menu to accommodate individual dietary needs, ensuring that every guest feels both welcomed and cared for. The idea of the ‘silence of self’ suggests introspection – almost spiritual. Was wellbeing always meant to be part of the experience? Wellbeing was always present, but never as a programme. The ‘silence of self’ comes from the place itself – from reduced noise, fewer distractions, and the natural rhythm of village life. We didn’t design wellness activities; we created conditions where guests can slow down, breathe, and reconnect in their own way. It’s an inner experience, not a guided one. What kind of guest arrives here, and more interestingly, how do they leave? Our guests come literally from all over the world, drawn by curiosity and a desire to experience something quieter and more meaningful. What brings us particular joy is welcoming also Omani families who come to rediscover their own heritage. What unites all our guests is a shared longing for space, silence, and a deeper connection with nature. As a small property, we have the privilege of getting to know our guests personally, and this creates a different kind of relationship—one built on presence rather than service alone. Mountain ecosystems are delicate. What conscious steps have you taken to ensure the resort coexists gently with its surroundings? From the beginning, we were conscious that operating in a mountain environment comes with responsibility. Our biggest operational challenge was the water. Every drop of water used at the property is recycled, treated, and reused—either for toilet flushing or garden irrigation. We also use natural, biodegradable cosmetics and cleaning products, free from harsh chemicals, so they remain compatible with our water-treatment system and the surrounding ecosystem. Sustainability for us is not a statement, but a daily practice shaped by respect for the land we inhabit. Do you see Alabri Home remaining an intimate hidden gem, or are there plans to expand the philosophy elsewhere? Alabri Home will always remain an intimate, hidden gem. Any future growth is rooted in the same philosophy – carefully restoring a small number of existing houses within the village rather than expanding beyond it. We are currently in discussions with local homeowners and the Ministry of Tourism to explore these possibilities, ensuring that any extension remains respectful of the village, its scale, and its spirit. If guests could take one feeling back home with them after their stay, what would you want it to be? The silence within – the kind that is not empty, but grounding. A sense of inner calm that stays with guests long after they leave, gently reminding them how it feels to slow down, listen, and truly be present. It is in this quiet that the essence of Omani hospitality reveals itself – sincere, generous, and deeply human, an experience that does not leave anyone indifferent.