Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will open the first stage of
its 683-room Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Muscat,
Oman later this year. Shangri-La is expecting to benefit
from the growing profile of Oman as a secure and unique
destination in the Arabian Gulf. Russell Loughland,
director of sales & marketing for Barr Al Jissah
Resort, told TravelWeekly that Oman offered a variety of
experiences unlike any others in the region. "It's not just
sand and desert - there is tropical rainforest in the south
of the country," he said. "It is a new, attractive
destination that has true opportunities to grow. It won't
be a second Dubai, that's not the intention. Dubai is a
great destination, but Oman is quite different. "What you
have in Oman is a bucketful of culture and heritage mixed
with a great Omani welcome." The Oman property will
strengthen Shangri- La's presence in the region. Shangri-La
Dubai opened in July 2003 followed a year later by the
Traders Hotel Dubai. The Shangri-La Doha, Qatar, will open
in August 2006 prior to the Asian Games. The Barr Al Jissah
resort will be the largest and most comprehensive in Oman
and will comprise three separate and distinct luxury
hotels, a private beach, as well as a Chi Spa The three
hotels within the resort will be known as Al Husn -
traditionally a large castle that is used as a residence of
the chief of the tribe or the ruler which will be an ultra
luxurious boutique-style hotel; Al Bandar - a five-star
hotel encompassing most of the banqueting and other
facilities, and Al Waha - the largest hotel designed to
appeal to families. A man-made river will connect the
swimming pools between Al Bandar and Al Waha, allowing
guests to travel on small boats from one part of the resort
to another. Loughland said every consideration had been
taken to preserve and enhance the local environment and
natural habitats, "including a turtle cove and 'turtle
ranger' who will advise visitors of the appropriate times
and most unobtrusive areas from which to observe the
turtles in their natural habitat.