Turtle Talk At Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa – Oman

The Sultanate of Oman has an ancient history shrouded in legend and antiquity. Located on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula, it is a country with a diverse landscape, unique climate and fascinating cultural heritage.

Oman is a country where tourism is beginning to gain momentum. In this scenario, news about another international chain setting up a five star hotel is of definite interest. Open since February 2006, the Barr Al Jissah resort is set in 124 acres approximately 40 minutes from the international airport. Located in the bay - barr - against dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains fronting the Gulf of Oman it is some 20 minutes by car from downtown Muscat.

The property comprises of Al Husn – the Castle hotel - with 180 suites and guestrooms, Al Bandar - the Town hotel - with 198 rooms and extensive meeting facilities, and the family oriented Al Waha – the Oasis hotel with 262 rooms. All 640 rooms and suites overlook the Gulf of Oman providing guests with some 580 m, or 1,900 feet of beach front.

And it is here that the turtles are following generations of their ancestors, return regularly to the precise spot on a short sandy Omani beach set between rocky promontories where they hatched. The spot is in the centre of the Barr Al – Jissah resort and Spa`s private beach and the resort management takes its unasked for environmental responsibility very seriously.

Green and leatherback turtles are exceedingly rare species, protected by both international and Omani law. To safeguard their time at the resort, the hotel has employed a full time Turtle Ranger.

The three hotels, Al Husn, Al-Bandar and Al Waha – nestle between two rocky headlands. Not just three hotels, but a collection of facilities and attractions that makes a self- contained destination – indeed a complete resort.

The exclusive Al-Husn or the Fort hotel is built on a low cliff around a central courtyard that leads through a moon – gate to an infinity pool set high above the sea. To maximize the range of activities for guests, the residents in the AlHusn can use all the facilities in the three hotels in the resort.

Al Husn is the most luxurious of the three hotels, it is welcoming guests since 15 September 2006. Inspired by the historic architecture of Omani forts, Al Husn is an exclusive retreat offering personalized service. Al Husn provides spectacular views of the coastline and resort. Some of the hotel design reflects a fusion of Moorish architecture in the style of the Alhambra, and Portuguese architectural influence in Oman. Typical for the traditional forts of Oman, the central courtyard has been deliberately left empty with the exception of water features and palm trees.

All 180 deluxe guestrooms and suites are sea-facing. Bathrooms are designed with sliding glass panels so that guests have views of the sea while luxuriating in the bath. Food and beverage options include Shahrazad Moroccan restaurant, Silver Lounge cigar lounge, Mahhara private beach bar and Al Muheet pool bar and restaurant. The Sultanah Restaurant here serves international cuisine and is named after the first Omani ship to sail to America. The Sultanah is designed to resemble a ship on the dockside. Attractive water feature outside this restaurant create the impression of being at sea.

Then there is Al Bandar hotel whose architecture is inspired by old Muscat, is featuring buildings of varying heights and a variety of ornate balconies. The five-star deluxe property provides 198 sea-facing guestrooms, each offering a minimum of 45 square metres of space and including a balcony or terrace, eight food and beverage outlets and 11 meeting rooms, as well as the spectacular Barr Al Jissah ballroom of 1,056 square metres and banquet-style seating for up to 700 people.

Al Waah or Oasis, has been designed in such a way that the hotel’s several swimming pools form an oasis incorporating date palm trees. Nestled at the foot of a mountain range, vehicular access has been made possible by a man-made tunnel. The architecture of Al Waha is Dhofari, from the southern region of Oman. Comprising 262 guestrooms with a minimum room size of 37 square meters, each room provides guests with either a balcony or patio, all of which face the sea.

"Little Turtles," the resort's children’s club, is based at Al Waha and offers a wide range of supervised activities for children of all ages, an air-conditioned indoor play area as well as an outdoor play area that features an old Omani dhow. In addition to the hotel’s main swimming pool there is the toddler’s pool with a rubber-cushioned floor and a separate pool for older children in the shape of a water mushroom. Babysitting facilities are also provided.

For dining and entertainment venues, guests can choose from six main restaurants, seven casual dining outlets and pool bars, three lobby lounges, two bars and a nightclub. The Assira Pool Bar serves snacks and easily managed food, and offers guests an extensive selection of beverages.

The Bait Al Bahr seafood restaurant is a stand-alone restaurant located between Al Waha and Al Bandar hotels. It is located on the beach with floor to ceiling windows offering spectacular views over the beach to the ocean.

A Marina comprises 52 fully serviced berths for yachts up to 30 metres with five-metre draughts. It is also home to a fleet of charter boats available to guests. Dolphin and whale watching are popular, additional to educational talks about their habits, behaviour, safety and conservation.

Diving is also popular here and the beautiful Omani sea has much to offer diving enthusiasts. EuroDivers’ staff are dedicated to ensuring that guests make the most of the magnificent underwater environment as safely as possible. There are a variety of dive sites teeming with a myriad of marine life, as well as coral reefs and shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.

Among the many facilities, the resort is also home to Omani Heritage Village, where well-preserved local culture and architectural heritage blend into the landscapes. The village provides a first-hand experience of a traditional Omani village lifestyle. Adjacent to the Heritage Village is the Al Midan amphitheatre, with seating for thousand people. Al Midan amphitheatre is also available for private and corporate functions, including festivals and weddings.

While visitors staying at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa can enjoy the pristine beaches and sparkling sea during the day, after sundown, the shoreline takes on a whole new character.

Since time immemorial, sea turtles have been making their way onto beaches to lay their eggs. Turtles are amongst the oldest marine species living in the Omani waters. The Turtle Reserve in Oman covers an area of 120 square kilometers of beaches and coastal lands. Some 6.000 to 13.000 turtles migrate annually from Arabian Gulf, remote areas of the Red sea and the East African coast to the Gulf of Oman. Many thousands of these fascinating animals haul themselves laboriously out of the water along the beautiful coastline every year.

The sandy secluded beaches provide ideal conditions for the turtles to lay their eggs, are littered with turtle pits high above the waterline. Turtles around the world have become victims to pollution and man – made disasters. The rare opportunity to watch this process in such a magnificent setting… it is simply unforgettable.

It is details such as this, the undoubted luxury of the resort, the impressive but understated quality and the attentive but unobtrusive service from the staff that combines to deliver a feeling of wellbeing to visitors.

ABOUT SHANGIR-LA HOTEL AND RESORTS
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts owns and manages 54 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27.000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring luxury facilities and services.

Other Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

The group has some 48 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.