Work is expected to start on a major new resort development in Oman further boosting the Sultanate's efforts to promote tourism to the country.
The Barr Al Jissah Resort is being developed by Zubair Enterprises which expects to award tenders for initial works this month. The resort to be operated by Asian luxury group Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, will be located on the Gulf of Oman, about 12 km south of Muscat city centre with a backdrop of mountains, hills and wadis, the promoters say. It will comprise of three separate hotels along with spa, apartments and cultural areas and will be completely self-sufficient with its own power substation, desalination plant, waste treatment facility and laundry. The three hotels - Palace, Town and Village - will in total offer nearly 700 rooms and apartments with comprehensive leisure and business facilities. The Town Hotel, to be situated along the main beach area, will be at the heart of the resort complex and will be a mini-seaside town highlighting Omani architecture. It will feature 200 rooms and a separate wing of apartments besides a spa and health club to be operated by the world-famous Banyan Tree organisation. It will also have a 800 sq m ballroom, an all-day dining and two specialty restaurants, night clubs and two lobby lounges. A souq and retail area, poolside amphitheatre, 2,600 sq m of pools, landscaped gardens, social club, tennis courts and parking for 300 cars will be the other features of the hotel. The five-star plus rated Palace Hotel to be located on a buff offering sea views on three sides will have its own private beach and 173 rooms set in a beautifully landscaped area. It will have a lobby lounge and two restaurants, business centre, health club and a scenic lift to the Town Hotel. The Village Hotel on the east end of the resort will cater for families and younger couples and will be hidden from view behind a jebel. With 301 rooms, it will also offer three restaurants, a retail area, business centre, lobby and lounge, kids club and games room besides a sheltered beach and bathing area. Construction of the hotels at the resort is expected to begin this November and the complex is expected to be ready by middle of 2005.