Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Mascate

The Sultanate of Oman, situated between India and Africa, is a land of mountains, sand filled deserts and lush palm groves. Known as the Kingdom of Magan throughout antiquity, Oman is located on the southernmost end of the Arabian Peninsula opening onto the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, facing Iran. Since the 8th century, the Sultanate has been the seat of Ibadism, a minority branch of Islam originally from Mesopotamia which advocates tolerance towards the numerous Christians and Hindus living in the country. Oman, the legendary land of Sinbad the Sailor and Ubar, the mythical city of A Thousand and One Nights, was also home to the palace of the Queen of Sheba. Its location at the crossroads of maritime routes between Africa and Asia made it an important cosmopolitan venue, adding to the rich historical and architectural heritage primarily influenced by the Portuguese and the Persians. All throughout the country, one can admire the numerous forts and castles which, like the one in Jabrin near Nizwa, are veritable palaces. Between Mascate, the capital, and Nizwa, there are at least twenty fortresses perched atop the cliffs which blend in perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Although Mascate’s architecture is contemporary, it nevertheless respects traditional forms, the opposite of what one finds in Dubai, Oman’s closest neighbor, where towering skyscrapers and artificial islands abound.

A world of luxury recreation and discovery

At the end of a road which winds its way between sea and mountain, the Barr Al Jissah Bay opens onto the Indian Ocean. It’s here, nestled against the desert flanks of the Hajar Mountains, facing the transparent water of the Gulf of Oman, that we find the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, which consists of three hotels: Al Bandar, designed for a business clientele, the family oriented Al Waha and the more exclusive Al Husn which possesses its own beach. The complex stretches over 140 hectares. The architecture of Al Bandar, which means “the city”, was inspired by old Mascate with its ochre colored buildings of varying heights and its magnificently decorated balconies. The Al Waha, which signifies “oasis”, contains a great many date palms as part of its landscape. The Al Husn, or “chateau”, is the most majestic of the three. This pink colored establishment with its Arab style architecture offers its guests the highest level of Shangri-La service. The luxury and splendor are only equalled by its ideal location. The rooms with a décor inspired by Arab palaces and Omani craftsmanship provide totally contemporary comfort in an oriental atmosphere. Although the Al Husn’s spaces are exclusively reserved for its residents, the three hotels communicate with each other, and a 500 meter long artificial river connects the Al Waha to the Al Bandar. The resort proposes four cold water swimming pools, the remarkable Chi Spa, spread out between 12 bungalows and surrounded by a garden, as well as 19 restaurants including one specializing in seafood with a superb view and the Shahrazad, a Moroccan style restaurant with its star studded ceiling. The Bar Al Jissah Bay also boasts a sumptuous 600 meter long private beach. Tourists in search of excitement or relaxation however, are not the only residents of this luxurious resort. At nightfall, sea turtles take over the site to lay their eggs and bury them in the fine ochre colored sand. The hotel has agreed to maintain the laying site which has always been a strategic venue for the preservation of turtles, which always lay their eggs in the place where they were born.

Oman consists of 3 provinces and 5 regions whose names are either geographic or anatomical. The provinces of Mascate, Dhofar and Musandam signify respectively the head, the South and the North. The regions of Batinah, Dhahirah, Dhakhiliya and Wusta stand for the stomach, the back, the interior, the center and the East.