A traditional taste of Oman at Shangri-La Al Husn - Hotel Insider


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

While it may only be a short hop across the border, Oman's rich heritage and culture, along with its rugged natural landscape, offer visiting UAE residents something a little different, as well as a slower pace of life.

Located on the outskirts of Muscat, Shangri-La Al Husn is a sprawling adults-only resort that offers a taste of traditional Oman, as well as timeless luxury on a serene clifftop location.

The National checked in to find out more …

The central courtyard of Shangri-La Al Husn is designed with traditional Arabesque grandeur. Photo: Shangri-La
The central courtyard of Shangri-La Al Husn is designed with traditional Arabesque grandeur. Photo: Shangri-La

The welcome

After winding our way up the rugged Hajar mountains, we approach Shangri-La Al Husn via a private, palm-tree lined driveway. It’s easy to see where the property gets its name — Al Husn means castle in Arabic, and its impressive Arabesque architecture certainly exudes a sense of grandeur.

Checking into Shangri-La Al Husn is a seamless experience, which is greatly appreciated as we arrive tired in the early hours of the morning. Despite it being 4am, we are greeted with warmth and the right amount of enthusiasm by the night team, who understand we want to get to our rooms as quickly as possible. The key is ready and waiting, resort information is offered quickly and efficiently, and I am in my room within five minutes of arrival.

The neighbourhood

The hotel is located about 40 minutes from Muscat International Airport, and is reachable via a scenic drive past some of the capital’s landmarks, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Comprised of two hotels — Al Husn, a luxurious adults-only property and the family-friendly Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah — the resort is perched on a cliffside, offering stunning views across the azure Arabian Gulf and rugged Omani coastline, which winds on in both directions.

The resort feels peaceful and secluded, despite being only 20 minutes out of the main city, making it perfect for weekend breaks away from the hustle and bustle of Muscat.

The safety measures

All rooms are fully sterilised and equipped with hand sanitiser, and masks are required in all indoor areas as standard.

All staff and servers are also masked up at all times, although masks are no longer required to be worn in public areas in Oman.

The room

The spacious Al Husn Deluxe Room. Photo: Shangri-La
The spacious Al Husn Deluxe Room. Photo: Shangri-La

The hotel’s 180 rooms and suites come in six categories, ranging from deluxe to a truly regal royal suite (in which Ed Sheeran has previously stayed). Almost all come with balconies and a sea view.

My deluxe sea view room is generously appointed, with a huge super-king bed, seating and a large desk area. The hotel’s Arabic design continues throughout the rooms, and traditional touches are balanced nicely with contemporary elements.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the room is the bathroom, which almost matches the room for size, and comes with a large dressing area, separate shower and toilet, and a stand-alone bathtub separated from the bedroom via an intricately designed sliding wooden panel, which can be opened to look out to the ocean.

There are also plenty of in-room amenities, such as a Nespresso machine and a Bose speaker system.

The service

All staff we encounter at Shangri-La Al Husn are not only professional and helpful, but also appear to be incredibly proud to show the resort, as well as Oman’s heritage. We are greeted warmly in all of the hotel’s public areas, and wait staff at breakfast and dinner are friendly and well-versed with menus.

The property also offers several additional services for guests, including packing us a delightful picnic for a local snorkelling trip, as well as airport transfers in one of the vintage cars from its on-site classic car museum.

The scene

At Al Husn, you’ll find a peaceful and picturesque infinity pool offering views over the Arabian Gulf, as well as a private cove tucked in a small crevice of rugged coastline, which feels truly secluded.

All guests also have access to the sister resort Barr Al Jissah, which can be reached via a short walk. There, you’ll find 100 metres of private beach, a family-friendly pool, resident camels and, most importantly, a lazy river, which runs in a picturesque loop under a canopy of palm trees and looming mountains, with the crashing waves from the adjacent beachfront as a soundtrack. It’s an idyllic way to while away an afternoon, and I go around more times than I’d care to admit.

On site, the resort also houses an Omani heritage village and the aforementioned classic car museum, both of which will be opening to the public in October. The resort’s car collection includes a Mercedes Steam Cart, the first bike to have an engine, as well as dozens of other vintage models.

Guests can also make the most of the resort’s beachfront location with complimentary watersports, and learn about Shangri-La’s conservation efforts from its on-site turtle ranger. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah’s beach is home to one of the five nesting sites in Oman, where about 100 turtles return each year to lay their eggs.

For guests wanting to relax, there’s Luban Spa, which welcomes visitors in the traditional Omani way — with rose water for the hands and face. The spa offers a range of services, which can be easily booked on arrival.

The food

Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. Daily breakfast can be enjoyed in the hotel’s main nautical-themed Sultanah restaurant, where you can tuck into both a la carte and buffet while taking in the morning views over the Arabian Gulf. Come evening, Sultanah transforms into a more luxuriousluxury setting, serving up an elegant and creative Mediterranean-inspired menu.

There’s also Mahharra Beach Bar and Al Muheet poolside cafe for lighter bites during the day, as well as an extensive in-room dining menu. All Al Husn guests can also enjoy complimentary afternoon tea at Sultanah, as well as sunset aperitifs at the stunning central courtyard in the cooler months.

Guests are also welcome to visit the restaurants in the neighbouring resort, where they can choose between traditional Arabic fare at Bait Al Bahr, pan-Asian cuisine at Chow Mee, and an extensive daily buffet at Al Tanoor.

Highs and lows

Some guests should be prepared for a bit of a walk to their rooms through several corridors, which can be a little confusing to navigate upon arrival, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

The tranquillity of Al Husn, while having the facilities of Barr Al Jissah right next door, offers the perfect balance for a relaxing weekend break.

The Insider tip

If you’re an early riser, make time for a sunrise stroll along the private beach. With the sun bouncing off the mountains behind and the sound of the waves, it’s an incredibly peaceful way to kick off the day.

The verdict

Al Husn feels like a grown up, tranquil space that exudes Arabic grandeur in a contemporary way. Its cliffside setting offers picturesque views of both mountain and sea, leaving you feeling like you are a million miles from the capital. The facilities mean you have everything you need on-site, making it the perfect weekend break.

The bottom line

A two-night stay, inclusive of a couple’s massage and castle experience, starts at Dh1,150. Half-board offers start at Dh1,430; www.shangri-la.com/muscat

This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel during the global coronavirus pandemic. It reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

The Equaliser 2

Director Antoine Fuqua

Starring: Denzel Washington, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Ashton Sanders

Three stars

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

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THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees 

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
The biog

Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella

Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"

What it means to be a conservationist

Who is Enric Sala?

Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.

What is biodiversity?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.

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AWARDS
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Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

Company%20Profile
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Updated: October 14, 2022, 3:31 AM`