Al Bandar Hotel, Barr Al Jissah Resort Spa, Oman

The Cranley Report

Al Bandar Hotel, Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa

Al Bandar Hotel, Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman

Hotel Address

PO Box 644
Postcode 113
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman

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Cranley Rating

Al Bandar Hotel

Photo 1 of 35. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Resort Hotel

Hotel Opened	2006
Refurbishment	N/A

Cranley Summary

The Al Bandar Hotel is part of the Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat which also comprises the Al Husn and Al Waha Hotels. The three hotels are located about 50 kilometres from Muscat International Airport in an isolated location set in a sandy cove with the Hajar Mountains as a backdrop and the resort being accessed via a scenic mountain road, of which the last few kilometres were blasted through the mountains. Whilst enjoying an isolated location the resort is only a fifteen minute drive to the souks and old town of Muscat. The three hotels are located next to each other and have their own swimming pool and restaurants but they all share a common gym, spa, tennis courts and conference facilities. Guests of the Al Bandar can use all the facilities of the Al Waha hotel and the restaurants of the Al Husn hotel by prior appointment. The pool and beach at the Al Husn is for the exclusive use of guests staying in that hotel.

The Al Bandar Hotel is geared for parties with older children or guests without children, The more family orientated of the three is the Al Waha having the children’s club located by the pool. The hotel has a feature pool called Circles which is located next to the beach and has the lazy river that connects the pool to the Al Waha pool and runs along the boardwalk next to the beach. The hotel is finished to a high quality with a range of room types with luxury amenities and benefiting from all the en-suite bathrooms having a separate shower. The hotel has a range of restaurants from fine dinning at the Capri Court to casual dinning at the Tapas and Sablah. The breakfast location is the Al Tanoor which serves a comprehensive buffet. For guests wishing to work or stay in touch there is a comprehensive business centre, wi-fi works throughout the resort and all rooms have high speed internet connectivity. The resort conference facilities are located at the Al Bandar Hotel as well as the boutiques making it a good location for those visiting for a function. The hotel puts on a range of daily activities for adults and children and for further entertainment the resort also has a Heritage Village due to open at the end of the year which will demonstrate local arts and crafts and have an authentic Omani restaurant. Lastly the hotels beaches are a breeding ground for turtles and there is an environmental programme with a Turtle Ranger employed full time to help guest observe egg laying and hatching without disturbing the turtles.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The hotel is located about 45 minutes from Al Seeb International Airport and 15 minutes from Muscat city centre and near Ruwi business district and Mutrah the old city of Muscat. The resort is set in a spectacular back drop of the mountains and in fact some of the mountains edge was cleared to create space for the hotel to be built and a passage cleared for the road in and out of the hotel. Its location gives the hotel a pleasant sense of isolation but at the same time it is only fifteen minutes from Muscat and the Souks.

Airports
Distance	50 km
Airport Transfers	Muscat

Cities and Sights
Distance	20 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi or a chargeable hotel limousine The hotel also runs a shuttle bus four times a day at 10.10, 12.00, 15.30 and 16.35 to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, Mutrah Souk and the SABCO centre with the bus returning at 11.00, 13.00 16.30 and 17.35.

Layout Description

The hotel is part of the Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa that also comprises of the Al Husn Hotel and the Al Waha Hotel. The hotel is located in the centre of the resort with the Al Waha hotel on the right and the Al Husn hotel on the left in an elevated position on top of the cliff. The Al Bandar Hotel is connected to the Al Husn via a lift. You enter the lobby which is on the third floor of the hotel. Within the Al Bandar Hotel the guest rooms are set over four floors, a number of restaurants, the conference facilities, swimming pools and the Xyro Nightclub and Long Bar are located on the ground floor. The CHI -The Spa at Shangri-La, gym and tennis courts are located between the Al Bandar and Al Waha hotels and in addition guests can use the pools and restaurants at the Al Waha hotel. The facilities of the Al Husn hotels are for the dedicated usage of those guests with the exception of the restaurants.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours.
Languages Spoken	English and Arabic.
Payment Methods	Major credit cards.
Foreign Exchange	Major currencies exchanged.
Taxis Arranged	The hotel has a number of taxis on its own fleet that charge by the metre.
Tours Arranged	A range of tours can be arranged through concierge and include Dolphin watching and snorkelling, canyon crossing by wirers, snorkelling, geology tour of the Hajar mountains, sunset boat trip, Muscat City tour, a two day wadi/bedouin and turtles trip, overnight bedouin desert trip, overnight turtle beach trip, sea kayaking, bird watching, game fishing and Nizwa City tour.

Guest Relations	Safe deposit boxes
Concierge Services	Translation services can be arranged. Parcel wrapping service
Medical Facilities	A doctor is on duty seven days a week from 09.00 to 18.00. Outside of these hours a doctor can be called in with 30 minutes notice.
Parking	Complimentary valet parking

Cranley Comment

The lobby is located on the third floor of the hotel as the hotel is approached from the mountain road. It is a rectangular shaped room which is two floors high with a feature dome for the ceiling laid with gold leaf and under which is a carpet inset into the marble floor matching the shape of the dome. On the left side of the lobby is the front desk and concierge and on the right side is the lobby lounge. At the rear of the lobby are doorways that lead to the boutiques and guest rooms and on the right hand side are further doorways which lead to more guest rooms, the Piano Bar and the Business Centre and conference facilities. Overall the style of the lobby is of sophisticated elegance and is designed with an Arabic theme.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Al Bandar Souk Area:

Pashmina shop 10.00 to 22.00 Saturday to Thursday and 17.00 to 22.00 on Fridays.
Carpet Gallery 10.00 to 22.00 Saturday to Thursday and 17.00 to 22.00 on Fridays.
Damas Jewellers 10.00 to 22.00 Saturday to Thursday and 17.00 to 22.00 on Fridays.
Porsche Design Shop 10.00 to 13.00 and 17.00 to 21.00 Saturday to Thursdays
Jawahir Oman Jewellers 10.00 to 13.00 and 17.00 to 21.00 Saturday to Thursdays
Hamac; Designer swimwear 09.00 to 22.00 daily
Turtles Bookshop 10.00 to 22.00 daily.

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a range of boutiques covering basic necessities to designer jewellery. For guests who want more substantial shopping Muscat with its souks and shopping centres is fifteen minutes away and there is a daily complimentary bus to Muttrah Souk which is nearby.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	4
Total Rooms	198
Elevators	4
Rooms per Elevator	50

Check-in Time	14.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	16.00 subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	Non-smoking rooms available
Room Service	24 hour ala carte menu available
Laundry Service	Items collected by 10.00 are returned the same day. Four hour express service up to 16.00 at 50% surcharge. Overnight service from 20.00 to 09.00 at a 50% surcharge. Pressing service is available 24 hours. Express 2 hour pressing service for at a 50% premium 24 hours a day.

Cranley Comment

The Al Bandar has a number of room options. The Deluxe Rooms are well appointed and come with a sea view or partial sea view. There are a range of suites all of which have a separate bedroom and lounge. All the rooms are decorated in a similar style with beige walls and light coloured wood furniture and feature high speed internet connectivity. All bathrooms have a separate shower as well as a bath tub. In addition the ground floor rooms have a patio and the other room types all have balconies.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	170	97 Sea 61 Pool/Partial Sea 12 Pool	Satellite television Individually controlled air conditioning Mini-bar Patio or balcony Desk and chair High speed internet Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities Armchair and coffee table Two patio chairs and circular table Iron and ironing board Safe Slippers and bathrobe Separate walk in shower Bath	2 adults and 1 child under 12	38

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Rooms are located overlooking the gardens towards the pool and beach and come with a number of view types. The rooms come with either a balcony or a patio that opens out on to the gardens. The rooms themselves are a standard rectangular shape with an entrance corridor (with a double wardrobe) that leads into the room. They are decorated in a contemporary style with light gold carpets and brown/gold curtains. The furniture is a light wood colour with magnolia painted walls. The en-suite bathroom entrance is next to the bed and is tiled with a similar beige marble effect and with a light brown speckled marble sink counter. The bathroom benefits from having a separate shower and bath tub.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Premier	14	Sea	As per the Deluxe Rooms plus: Additional SQM Chaise longe	2 adults and 1 child under 12	58

Cranley Comment

The Premier Rooms have the same amenities as the Deluxe Rooms with the addition of a chaise longe. The principle benefit of this room type over the Deluxe Room is the additional space which is utilised to create a lounge area in the corner of the room and that they all come with a direct sea view. The rooms themselves are an irregular shape because of their position in the building which also creates the additional space. They are decorated in a contemporary style with light gold carpets and brown/gold curtains. The furniture is a light wood colour with magnolia painted walls. The en-suite bathroom entrance is next to the bed and is tiled with a similar beige marble effect and with a light brown speckled marble sink counter. The bathroom benefits from having a separate shower and bath tub.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One Bedroom Suite	12	Sea	As per the Premier Room plus: Separate lounge Guest bathroom Two armchairs Three seat sofa Additional mini bar Coffee table Additional plasma satellite television Walk through wardrobe	2 adults and 1 child under 12	90

Cranley Comment

The One Bedroom Suite as its name implies comes with a separate lounge as well as an en-suite bedroom. On entering the room there is an entrance corridor with the guest bathroom on one side. The guest bathroom also cleverly doubles as the toilet of the en-suite bathroom via a connecting door to the bathroom. The lounge is on one side at the end of the entrance hallway with the bedroom on the other side. The lounge has a range of furniture including a three seater sofa and upgraded amenities like a plasma television. The bedroom is similar to the Deluxe Room but benefits from a larger en-suite bathroom and a dressing area with walk through wardrobes. The Suite also has a balcony that runs across the lounge and bedroom and has two sets of table and chairs. The room is decorated in the same theme as the other room types.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Speciality Suite	2	Sea	As per the One Bedroom Suite plus: Dining table for eight persons Kitchenette Desk in the bedroom DVD Player Guest bathroom	2 adults and 1 child under 12	142

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suite as its name implies is the premier room type in the hotel. It comes with a separate lounge, kitchenette, guest bathroom as well as an en-suite bedroom. On entering the room there is a rectangular lounge with television and sofa’s at one end and the dining table at the other end. Off the lounge is a small kitchenette which can also be accessed via the hallway for room service staff. The bedroom is similar to the Deluxe Room but benefits from a larger en-suite bathroom and a dressing area with walk through wardrobes. The Suite also has a balcony that runs across the lounge and bedroom and has two sets of table and chairs. The room is decorated in the same theme as the other room types although there are a wider range of ornaments and pictures reflecting the nature of the room.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The hotel has a range of restaurants with the main breakfast location being the Al Tanoor that also has a buffet at lunch times and in the evenings as well as an ala carte menu. There is a fine dining Italian on the ground floor next to the long bar and for more casual dining there is the Tapas, Mokha Cafe and the Lobby Lounge. In addition there are numerous other restaurants at the Al Waha hotel which guests can also dine at.

Al Tanoor

Restaurant Type	Middle Eastern
Restaurant Capacity	Total 188, inside 90 outside 98
Opening Times	Daily 06.30 to 23.30 Breakfast Buffet 06.30 to 10.30 Ala carte breakfast 07.00 to 11.00 Lunch and dinner Ala carte menu 12.00 to 23.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu Children under 12 are entitled to a complimentary buffet. High chairs.
Breakfast Options	Comprehensive buffet with cooking stations and an ala carte menu.

Cranley Comment

The Al Tanoor is the main buffet restaurant of the hotel. It has a comprehensive buffet breakfast as well as a buffet at lunch and diner and an ala carte menu available throughout the day. The restaurant has themed evening buffets four nights a week which change on a monthly basis but in addition to the theme there are a couple of other buffet selections with a slightly more restricted choice to cater for guests who may not like the principle theme. The ala carte menu has a range of dishes from a number of different middle eastern countries to choose from. The restaurant is decorated with a modern marketplace theme with three show kitchens and tables on a couple of different levels.

Capri Court

Restaurant Type	Fine Dining Italian
Restaurant Capacity	Total 76, inside 55, outside 21
Opening Times	19.00 to 23.30
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking tables
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

The Capri Court is located overlooking the beach and has seating inside and outside as well as a private dining room. The restaurant is a fine dining Italian specialising in dishes from the island of Capri. Most of the dishes have a seafood theme utilising local catches and in some cases fish especially flown in. Typical dishes on the menu at the time of the review included a range of pasta based options, risottos and grilled meats as well.

Tapas and Sablah

Restaurant Type	Mediterranean/Asian Tapas and Oriental Mezze
Restaurant Capacity	Total 100 all outside
Opening Times	Daily 18.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	No
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking tables
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu High chairs
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

Tapas and Sablah is located on the ground floor of the hotel near the boutiques. It serves a range of traditional Spanish Tapas as well as Asian and Arabic Tapas and A number of Paella dishes. For desert traditional dishes as well as authentic arabic sweets. Tapas and Sablah is ideally suited for guests who want casual dining in a relaxed environment.

Mokha Cafe

Restaurant Type	Coffee shop
Restaurant Capacity	Total 80 all inside
Opening Times	Daily 07.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking tables
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu High chairs
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

Mokha Cafe is a typical coffee shop environment with a counter at one end with barista machine and a number of tables and chairs as well as casual seating in armchairs. The cafe serves a range of speciality coffees and teas and serves cakes and pastries and has a large ice cream display cabinet with premium ice creams.

Al Bandar Lobby Lounge

Restaurant Type	Lobby Lounge
Restaurant Capacity	Total 34
Opening Times	07.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu highchairs
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

The Lobby Lounge is located on the right side of the lobby and consists of a number of sofas, armchairs and coffee tables. There is a small balcony which overlooks the gardens towards the Gulf. The Lobby Lounge serves a range of teas, coffees, soft and alcoholic drinks. For food there are a number of light options like salads, finger sandwiches and panini's.

Bars

Number of Bars	3
Bar Comments

The Al Bandar has two bars for evening entertainment. The Piano Lounge is a traditional cocktail bar but designed in a fashionable retro style whilst the Long Bar and Xyro is a bar/nightclub. For daytime refreshments there is a pool bar next to the Circles Pool which has a range of alcoholic drinks and cocktails although guests should note because of Omani law alcohol is not served between 15.00 to 18.00 on Saturday's to Thursday's and not until 14.00 on Friday's.

Long Bar and Xyro

Bar Type	Cocktail Bar/Nightclub
Bar Capacity	Total 70, inside 42, 28 outside
Opening Times	Daily 20.00 to 02.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking areas
Admissions Policy	Over 21's only

Cranley Comment

The Long Bar and Xyro are located on the ground floor view views towards the gulf. The venue is a bar/club with one half being a smart cocktail style bar with an arabic theme in the design of the windows and an island bar in the middle of the room that guests can sit at or at tables and chairs outside or around the inside of the room. The bar serves a range of cocktails, beers, wines and champagnes. The bar opens into the Xyro club which is a darkened room with high ceilings, some casual chairs and a DJ at one end and dance floor in the middle. The room is designed so guests can move from one venue to the other and is effectively one outlet.

Piano Lounge

Bar Type	Cocktail bar/lounge
Opening Times	Daily 17.00 to 03.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking areas
Admissions Policy	Over 21's only inside. Children can sit on the terrace.

Cranley Comment

The Piano Lounge is located on the reception level of the hotel. It is a uniquely styled bar with a central bar area under ceiling lighting that is constantly changing colour for an interesting effect. The mostly white seating runs around the bar and at the back of the bar is a back lit wall with various spirits neatly on display and in front of the wall is a raised pedestal which sits a grand piano which is played six nights a week from 20.00 to 00.00. There is also seating outside on a terrace overlooking the central piazza and the beach.

Circles

Bar Type	Pool Bar
Bar Capacity	Total 72
Opening Times	10.00 to 19.00
Dress Codes	Swimwear/casual

Air-Conditioning	No
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking areas
Admissions Policy	Children's menu High chairs

Cranley Comment

Circles is located next to the main pool and takes its name from the shape of the interconnecting pools. It serves guests at both the beach and the pool with a butler service and also has wood topped tables and chairs to dine or drink at. The menu includes salads, pizzas, sandwiches, kebabs, grilled fish and meat. There is a range of cocktail, mocktails, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages that are served during licensing hours which are all hours except 12.00 to 15.00 on Saturday to Thursday and before 15.00 on Friday.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

Chargeable and available in all public areas including outdoors.

In-Room Services

High speed internet
Desk

Business Centre

The business centre is open from 07.00 to 22.00 and is located on the lobby level and consists of an attended room with full secretarial support, four semi-private workstations, a small library with seating for reading and a separate room with a meeting table and lounge area.

Meetings & Events

The hotel has extensive meeting and conference facilities including a Grand Ballroom which are accessed via a grand staircase. As you would expect from a new hotel it has the latest audio visual facilities for meetings and presentations and features chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom which change colour for added effect. The rooms are located at the Al Bandar Hotel and the principle room configurations are:

Ballrooms

Barr Al Jissah Ballroom
1056 sqm, 22 x 48m and can hold 850 in a Reception, 850 in a Theatre, 700 in a Banquet and 550 in a classroom.

Ballroom Section A, B and C each
275 sqm, 12.5 x 22m and can hold 230 in a Reception, 250 in a Theatre, 180 in a Banquet and 150 in a classroom.

Ballroom section A, B and C
825 sqm, 35.5 x 22m and can hold 700 in a Reception, 750 in a Theatre, 600 in a Banquet and 500 in a classroom.

Ballroom section A/B or B/C
550 sqm, 25 x 22m and can hold 460 in a Reception, 500 in a Theatre, 360 in a Banquet and 300 in a classroom.

Pre-function Area 1
366 sqm, 8.5 x 43m and can hold 300 in a Reception

Pre-function Area 2
198 sqm, 6 x 33m and can hold 165 in a Reception

Pre-function Area 3
144 sqm, 6 x 24m and can hold 120 in a Reception

Meeting Rooms

Assifah
68 sqm, 8.2 x 8.3m and can hold 24 in a Boardroom, 55 in a Reception, 60 in a Theatre, 48 in a Banquet and 36 in a classroom.

Tiwi
52 sqm, 6.3 x 8.3m and can hold 20 in a Boardroom, 45 in a Reception, 48 in a Theatre, 40 in a Banquet and 27 in a classroom.

Qalhat
52 sqm, 6.3 x 8.3m and can hold 20 in a Boardroom, 45 in a Reception, 48 in a Theatre, 40 in a Banquet and 27 in a classroom.

Assifah/Tiwi/Qalhat
173 sqm, 20.8 x 8.3m and can hold 140 in a Reception, 150 in a Theatre, 120 in a Banquet and 90 in a classroom.

Assifah/Tiwi
120 sqm, 14.5 x 8.3m and can hold 40 in a Boardroom, 100 in a Reception, 100 in a Theatre, 80 in a Banquet and 63 in a classroom.

Tiwi/Qalhat
104 sqm, 12.6 x 8.3m and can hold 34 in a Boardroom, 85 in a Reception, 85 in a Theatre, 80 in a Banquet and 54 in a classroom.

Yiti
18 sqm, 4.2 x 4.2m and can hold 6 in a Boardroom

Qantab
30 sqm, 5 x 6m and can hold 12 in a Boardroom

Sidab
76 sqm, 6.3 x 12m and can hold 18in a Boardroom

Qantab
72 sqm, 6 x 12m and can hold 18 in a Boardroom

Cranley Comment

The Al Bandar is principally a leisure hotel but it has a range of facilities geared for the traveller who wants to stay in touch and for conferences and banquets. There is a full service business centre with secretarial support, wireless connectivity in all public areas, high speed connectivity in the bedrooms and a working desk. In addition for conference and events there is substantial facilities including a state of the art Ballroom and meeting rooms.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities	See Restaurants
Playground	There is a large Dhow boat located next to the beach for children to play on.

Children's Pool	See Pools
Games Room	See the Teen Activities in the entertainment section.

Children's Club

"Little Turtles" is open daily from 09.30 to 18.00. It is for children aged between three and ten years of age and is located in a purpose built building next to Samba's restaurant. The club has a range of facilities within it like a games area, televisions with play stations and a library. A range of activities are also provided and include try surfing, tiny tots tennis, story time, drama time, mini football, movies, swim races, kite flying, jewellery making, drawing competitions, funny hat parties, face painting, henna painting, water polo, arabic crafts, treasure hunt, arabic dance, sand castle fun and coconut bowling. The activities are run at set times which allows children to join for the whole morning or afternoon sessions or turn up for a specific event. The club does not provide lunch so children need to be collected from 12.00 to 14.00.

Entertainment

See Children's Club and the Teen Activities in the entertainment section.

Babysitting service

A babysitting service is provided by hotel staff with ideally six hours notice.

Cranley Comment

The hotel is geared for teenage children with a teen's programme with a range of activities as well as teenage program. There is also the "little turtles" children's club located nearby at the Al Waha Hotel. In addition there are numerous swimming pools and the “Lazy River”. There are also a number of sports activities.

Entertainment

Daytime Activities

Adult Activities

For adults there is a daily programme of activities that are well publicised at 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 16.00, 17.00 and 18.00 daily and include easy stretch, fun games on the beach, splash pool fun, beach volleyball, beach jog, intro to the gym, aqua aerobics, try kayaking, try windsurfing, beach football, power walk, fun tennis and social tennis doubles. In addition there is a range of aerobics classes listed in the sports section and there are tours listed in the concierge section of this report.

Teen's Club

There is a teen's club located at the ground floor of the Al Bandar Hotel and is open daily from 12.00 to 21.00. It organises activities like computer games, table football, table tennis, magnetic darts, and game boys. There are also two pc terminals with games and internet access and a range of books and board games. Lastly there is also a mini theatre with 32 inch LCD television, DVD, Karaoke player with disco lights and an electric key board.

Turtles

At the resort is the rare opportunity to observe sea turtles nesting, laying eggs or hatching. The nesting season is January to June and in the 2006 season the beaches at the Shangri-La nestles over 9,300 eggs! The hotel has a dedicated turtle ranger who advises the appropriate time and most unobtrusive times to observe the turtles in their natural habitat.

Cranley Comment

There a range of organised activities for all age groups and in addition there are a variety of different excursions that can be booked. Also nearby is a Dive Centre where divers can explore some of the wrecks offshore.

Evening Activities

Xyro

Xyro is located next to the long bar and they form one outlet with Xyro being the nightclub/lounge. It is a darkened room with a high ceiling with a DJ at one end playing the latest dance tracks and a small number of chairs around the edge of the room. The room has a wide opening into The long Bar so guests can spill out into the bar or from the bar into Xyro.

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a variety of restaurants and a nightclub/bar. In addition there are a number of night-time and overnight excursions available via guest relations.

Beaches

Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa

Location	Located at the rear of the hotel.
Private/Public	Private
Size/Frontage	450 by 30 meters

Facilities	Sunbeds Parasols Towels Showers Drinks service from the Circles beach bar Water sports Beach volleyball
Safety	Lifeguard on duty
Parking	N/A

Cranley Comment

The Bar Al Jissah Resort & Spa Beach is located at the rear of the hotel and is one of two beaches at the hotel with the other being the Al Husn Beach for the exclusive use of Al Husn guests. The beach is in a cove setting with the rock face bordering the beach at either end with the beach itself in an arc. The cliff backdrop creates a dramatic impression. There is a range of amenities including showers and towels and at the rear of the beach are numerous palm trees and a boardwalk for guests strolling between the different hotels and restaurants in the resort.

Pools

Cranley Comments

The hotel has one principle pool, a shower pool and a lazy river. In addition there are that additional pools next to the Al Waha Hotel which is a short walk away along the beach boardwalk. The three pools all share the same facilities and are in close proximity to each other and the beach.

Circles

Opening Times	06.00 to 20.00
Temperature	Temperature controlled at 28c
Depths	Max 1.3m Min 0.0m
Size	Extensive

Facilities	Whicker sun beds Parasols Towels Showers Toilets Jacuzzi Pool bar In-water sun beds
Safety	Lifeguards on duty

Cranley Comment

Circles Pool takes its name from the fact that it is three interconnecting/adjacent pools in broadly circular shapes. The pool is located next to the beach in front of the hotel with the end of the "Lazy River" next to one end of the pool. The pool is surrounded by palm trees and mature shrubs which give it a sense of isolation and a degree of privacy for guests and the larger of the pools has an island in the middle with a bridge to it for guests to sunbath on. The pool has twelve built in sun beds and a Jacuzzi next to it. For smaller children on one side of the pool is a beach style ending suitable for toddler aged children to play at.

Paddling Pool

Opening Times	06.00 to 20.00
Temperature	Temperature controlled at 28c
Depths	Standard 0.4m
Size	5 meters in diameter

Facilities	As per the main pool
Safety	Lifeguards on duty

Cranley Comment

The paddling pool is located next to the Circles Pool and is ideal for younger children as it is under a canvass canopy and in the centre has a water fountain for children to play under.

Lazy River

Opening Times	06.00 to 20.00
Temperature	Temperature controlled at 28c
Depths	Standard 1.3m
Size	500 meters

Facilities	N/A
Safety	Lifeguards on duty

Cranley Comment

The Lazy River is located next to the boardwalk and runs between the Al Husn and Al Waha hotels. It is a 500 meter stretch of water way that propels guests in a gentle fashion between the two hotels sitting on round inner tubes. It is partially shaded and set in a garden environment.

Al Waha Pool

Opening Times	06.00 to 20.00
Temperature	Temperature controlled at 28c
Depths	Standard depth 1.3m
Size	Irregular shape approx 50 by 30 meters

Facilities	Metal sunloungers Parasols Towels Toilets Showers Pool bar
Safety	Lifeguards on duty

Cranley Comment

The Al Waha Pool is located between the three sides of the Al Waha Hotel and next to the beach. Its location gives it a courtyard style setting with numerous palm trees and shrubs to add colour and a garden feel. The pool itself is an irregular shape which narrows in the middle and has a small ornate bridge that crosses over it. Next to the pool is the pool bar which serves a range of drinks and snacks and provides a butler service to the sun loungers. The pool is also located next to the Children’s and Shower pool and the Lazy River

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	07.00 to 22.00
Description	3 Bikes 2 Cross trainers 1 Rowing machines 3 Treadmills 7 Resistance machines Life fitness machines with built in television screens Free weights Sauna and Jacuzzi in ladies and gentlemen's changing rooms Showers Toilets Aerobics studio with daily classes which include: Flexible stretch Body dance Free style aerobics Aerobic training yogacise Body Sculpt
Size	Main gym 12 by 20 meters Aerobics studio 12 by 16 meters

Cranley Comment

The fitness centre is located next to the Spa with the gym on the ground floor overlooking the gardens with the aerobics studio on the first floor above the gym. The complex has the latest cardio vascular equipment with inbuilt television screens and has good quality fixtures and fittings with wood floor and sauna and jacuzzi although the gym is on the small size for a hotel of this size. There are personal trainers available and a range of aerobics classes are run each week.

Water Sport

Opening Times	06.30 to 18.00
Description	Jet ski's Hobbi Cat's Wind surfing Snorkelling

Cranley Comment

There is a limited range of water sports available on the main beach which is chargeable.

Land Sport

Opening Times	08.00 to 21.00.
Description	Four floodlit tennis courts.

Cranley Comment

There are four floodlit tennis courts located next to the Chi Spa. Lessons both individually and as a group can be organised as well as fun and social tennis matches.

Golf

Oman Golf

Description

Oman currently has no golf courses although one is under construction by a leading international designer.

Location	To be advised.
Holes	18
Length/Par	To be advised

Facilities

To be advised

Spa

Name of Spa	Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La
Opening Times	10.00 to 18.00

Facilities

Chi Signature Massages

Chi Balance, Aroma Vitality, Herbal Harmony,

Traditional Massages

Balinese, Foot Reflex Zone Therapy, Philippine Hilot Massage, Rejuvenating Head and Shoulder Massage.

Body Scrubs

Sandal Wood Scrub, Healing Salt Scrub, Mountain Tsampa Rub.

Body Wraps

Frankincense Linen Wrap.

Facial Treatments

Chi Facial and Exotic Rejuvenating Facial
Men’s Skincare Treatments
Chi Vitality Facial

Cranley Comment

The Chi Spa is planned to be fully open in October 2006. The Spa is in a purpose built building between the Al Waha and Al Husn hotels. It has a reception, boutique, eight treatments rooms for couples and four for singles and a relaxation garden with pool. In the interim there are ranges of treatments available form a more comprehensive menu that will be available once the Spa is fully opened.

Special Needs

Communal Areas

Wheelchair accessible

Rooms & Bathrooms

Two adapted rooms

Restaurants & Catering

Wheelchair accessible

Recreation Facilities

Wheelchair accessible

Cranley Comment

Being a new build the hotel has been built with the appropriate considerations for guests with special needs. This includes two adapted rooms, ramps alternatives and special needs toilets in the lobby of the hotel.

Environment

Measures

Recycling
Energy Saving
Beach Cleaning
Minimise Cleaning Materials
Wildlife Protection
Sealife Protection
Water Saving

Cranley Comment

The hotel has an organised conversation program to protect the turtles that use the beach to lay their eggs. This includes education pamphlets for guests and a dedicated turtle warden to advise guests where to observe the turtles from to minimise disturbance. In addition the hotel recycles materials and re-uses water for the gardens and encourages guests to reduce unnecessary cleaning of towels by giving them the option to not have the towels changed daily.

Al Bandar Hotel, Barr Al Jissah Resort Spa, Oman, Report Details

15th September 2006

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