Nestled between a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains and the pristine waters of the Sea of Oman, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa is set on 124 acres of stunning land and is home to three spectacular hotels.
The property is comprised of the exclusive Al Husn, Al Bandar and the family-oriented Al Waha hotels. All 640 rooms and suites overlook the Sea of Oman, providing guests with 600m of pristine coastline.
Al Bandar’s dominant feature is its large, unconventionally shaped swimming pool, spanning 1,400sq m
Opulence aplenty
The exclusive Al Husn hotel is inspired by the historic architecture of Omani forts. Al Husn means ‘the castle’ and the hotel’s appearance reflects Moorish design in the style of the Alhambra, emphasising the strong Portuguese influence on Oman’s architecture. Typical to the traditional forts of Oman, the central courtyard has been deliberately left empty, apart from peaceful water features and palm trees.
All 180 deluxe guestrooms and suites face the sea and are generously proportioned, each spanning a minimum 48sq m. All rooms have a balcony or terrace, and are among the most spacious in Oman. The distinctive bathrooms are designed with sliding wooden panels so guests can view the sea while luxuriating in the bath.
Guests enjoy exclusive use of a fully appointed gym, private beach with bar, infinity pool, library and hospitality lounge. Moreover, Al Husn guests are welcomed to a daily afternoon tea, pre-dinner evening cocktails and complimentary in-room mini bar.
While guests staying at Al Husn are welcome to enjoy the facilities of the entire three-hotel resort, the services and facilities within Al Husn are reserved for its guests.
Heart of the resort
Al Bandar means ‘the town’ and the hotel’s architecture is inspired by the aesthetics of old Muscat, featuring beautiful buildings of varying heights, most with their own ornate balconies. The deluxe property provides 198 guestrooms, each offering a minimum of 38sq m of space, and a balcony or terrace with views of the garden, sea or swimming pool.
Al Bandar’s dominant feature is its large, unconventionally shaped swimming pool, spanning 1,400sq m and with a maximum depth of 1.2m. Its unique sunbeds are half-immersed to allow guests to lie down and relax within the pool. Al Bandar also provides a jacuzzi and a children’s pool, as well as access to the lazy river.
The 500-metre lazy river gives guests an unusual method to travel between Al Bandar and Al Waha by floating between their swimming pools on water. Guests can relax and enjoy something to eat or drink at Al Waha then drift leisurely back to Al Bandar.
For in-house guests, Al Bandar’s Health Club is available, with cardio and weight studios, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. It also has four lighted tennis courts, supervised by professional tennis coaches.
Family destination
The name Al Waha means ‘the oasis’. The hotel is nestled at the foot of a mountain range through which vehicular access has been made possible by a man-made tunnel. The architecture of Al Waha is traditional Dhofari, from the southern region of Oman. It comprises 262 guest rooms with a minimum room size of 32 sq m each.
Ideal for families with children, Al Waha features Cool Zone, one of the three children’s clubs within the resort. It offers a wide range of supervised indoor and outdoor activities for the young ones.
In addition to the hotel’s main swimming pool, there is a toddler’s pool with a rubber cushioned floor and a separate pool shaped like a water mushroom for older children.
Dining and meeting venues
The resort has seven main restaurants, two all-day dining outlets, three pool bars and a beach bar, three lobby lounges, three cafés and two bars. Each of the main restaurants specialises in a unique cuisine, such as Lebanese, Moroccan, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian and South American. The array of fine dining and all-day dining outlets, as well as live cooking stations, ensures something delicious for each and every guest.
The meeting and banqueting facilities of the resort define elegance, versatility and convenience. Stylishly appointed, the 1,008sq m Barr Al Jissah ballroom, with its large pre-function area, can accommodate up to 850 guests for conferences or cocktail receptions. The ballroom features nine large chandeliers made of 46,656 single Bohemian crystal strands, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and an outdoor terrace that faces the beach and offers spectacular 180-degree views of the ocean.
In addition to the ballroom, the resort offers eight impressive function rooms covering more than 360sq m. Other outdoor reception venues include the Omani Heritage Village and the Al Midan Amphitheatre, with seating for 1,000 people.
After meetings, the CHI spa lets delegates relax. Designed to create a sanctuary of tranquillity inspired by the legend of Shangri-La, CHI features some of the largest and most luxurious private spa suites and villas in Oman, all within a secluded, village-like setting of landscaped gardens. There are 12 treatment villas, eight of which are doubles and another four for single guests. Each has a private bathroom and vanity area, shower, bath and a relaxation area, and a garden court complete with outdoor showers.
Dive centre
Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa offers boating enthusiasts, anglers and divers the very best with the latest facilities and professional service at the resort’s marina and dive centre, operated by Extra Divers.
Diving is one of the most popular pastimes at the dive centre, and the breathtakingly beautiful Omani sea has much to offer enthusiasts. There are many dive sites teeming with a myriad of marine life, as well as coral reefs and shipwrecks waiting to be explored. The unspoiled waters off the resort offer divers an experience they will remember forever.
The marina at Barr Al Jissah is designed to complement the fully integrated resort and neighbouring residential villas. It has 55 berths for various vessels ranging in length from nine metres up to a maximum of 40m. The marina’s services and facilities include round-the-clock berthing assistance, advanced security system, boat cleaning and water and electricity supply.
Omani heritage
Aside from its many facilities, the resort is also home to a unique Omani Heritage Village, where well-preserved local culture and architectural heritage blend into the remarkable landscape.
The first of its kind in Oman, the village provides a first-hand glimpse of a traditional Omani rural lifestyle. Visitors can also view local artisans at work, demonstrating the techniques of traditional crafts, including khanjar making, silver making, weaving, basketry, henna tattoo decoration and pottery.
Adjacent to the Omani Heritage Village is Al Mazaar Souk, which houses a diverse shopping experience, offering collections from both Omani-style and designer shops. Adventure Zone, GameZ, Mini Golf and Zafran Café are located within this arcade. The resort’s Art Gallery within Al Bandar is a collaboration between the hotel and Bait Al Zubair Museum. The exhibition area displays works by locally based artists to promote the art and culture of Oman and the Arab region.
