Al Husn Hotel, Barr Al Jissah Resort Spa, Oman

The Cranley Report®: Al Husn Hotel, Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa

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

Hotel Address

PO Box 644
Postcode 113
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman

Cranley Rating

Al Husn Hotel

Photo 1 of 43. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Resort Hotel

Hotel Opened	2006
Refurbishment	N/A

Cranley Summary

The Al Husn Hotel is part of Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Muscat which also comprises the Al Waha and Al Bandar 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 Husn can use all the facilities of the Al Bandar and Al Waha hotels. The pool and beach at the Al Husn is for the exclusive use of guests staying at the Al Husn.

The Al Husn Hotel is the premier property in the resort albeit they are all of a very high standard. The hotel is located on top of a cliff giving it spectacular elevated views of the resort and Omani coastline and guests staying at the Al Husn benefit from having full access to all the facilities in the resort but have the benefit of the facilities, with the exception of the restaurants at the Al Husn for their sole use. The hotel does allow children but in reality it is adult orientated with children needing to be over 12 to use the beach and pool; families with children are better advised to stay at the Al Waha or Al Bandar hotels where there is a full range of child orientated restaurants and amenities.

In addition to having its own private beach and pool for its guest’s exclusive use there is a full gym but guests can of course use the larger gym and dance studio located at the Spa. There are a range of room types all of which are decorated in a light arabic/contemporary style and are well appointed in terms of the quality of furnishings and fittings and all rooms benefit from a sea views and balconies. For dining there are three fine dining restaurants, a pool and beach bar and for lighter snacks. For drinks there is a dedicated bar called the Silver Lounge and within the resort are a number of other bars and a nightclub at the Al Bandar Hotel. The business centre is located at the Al Bandar Hotel but there is wireless available throughout the hotel and high speed connectivity in the rooms. Also available later in the 2006 will be a heritage village 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 fulltime 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. 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 limosuine. 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, Muttrah Souq 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 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa that also comprises of the Al Bandar and the Al Waha Hotel. The hotel is located on a cliff top overlooking the rest of the resort and is connected to the Al Bandar Hotel via a lift. You enter the lobby which has the front desk on the left and the lobby lounge on the right hand side with a terrace overlooking the resort. At the rear of the lobby is a courtyard with a pond with fountains lining a walkway to an arabic arch through which you see a spectacular view of the Gulf and leads to the pool. The beach is located to the left of the hotel and is accessed via a pathway from the pool or via the hotel shuttle buggy that goes on request. The rooms are located on either side of the hotel and are accessed via a corridor on either side of the lobby. The restaurants are located one floor below the lobby and reached via stairs or a lift. The hotels gym and library are off the corridor on the left side of the hotel.

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 meter.
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 45 minutes notice.
Parking	Complimentary valet parking

Cranley Comment

On entering the hotel guests arrive in an intimate circular Arabic themed lobby with a domed, gold inlaid ceiling and looks out onto a courtyard and through an Arabic arch towards the infinity pool and beyond to the ocean which together gives an impressive view. To the left is the front desk and to the right a small walkway with water features on either side that leads to the lobby lounge which has seating inside overlooking the terrace and the rest of the resort or outside on the terrace. The overall style of the entrance is Arabic with locally styled roofs, windows and use of white marble to create a stylish and sophisticated interior. The lobby also benefits from its elevated position given views over the other two hotels, the beach and the Gulf.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The hotel boutiques are located at the ground floor of the lift that connects Al Husn to the Al Bandar Hotel. Outlets include:

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

Al Bandar Hotel

Hamac; Designer swimwear 09.00 to 22.00 daily
Turtles Bookshop 10.00 to 22.00 daily.

Cranley Comment

The resort 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	180
Elevators	4
Rooms per Elevator	45

Check-in Time	14.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	16.00 subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	All non-smoking although guests can smoke on the balconies.
Room Service	24 hours full ala carte menu
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 at a 50% premium 24 hours a day.
Unique Features	Butler service which un-packs and packs guests luggage and attends to their needs. The hotel has a library on the lobby level which has quiet reading areas and lounge chairs and a selection of books and magazines for guests use.

Club or Executive Facilities

The Al Husn has a Hospitality Lounge located on the lobby level which is designed for guests who want a quiet place to relax at and also as an area they can use if they have checked out of their room and need to shower and change, or use if they arrive early at the hotel before their room is available during periods of high occupancy.

Cranley Comment

The rooms in the Al Husn range from a Deluxe Room at 48 Sqm to a Royal Suite that when it opens at the end of 2006 will be over 500sqm. In addition there are a number of different suites all of which are one bedroom and have a separate lounge and the Suite and Deluxe suite can be connected to a Deluxe Room to make a Two Bedroom Suite. All the rooms are decorated in a light Arabic styling and have an abundance of furniture and modern facilities like plasma televisions and high speed internet connectivity. All the bathrooms have separate showers and luxury amenities and lastly all rooms have a sea view with balconies and good quality patio chairs and sunbeds in the Suites.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	164	Sea	Satellite television DVD player Individually controlled air-conditioning Mini bar Desk and chair High speed internet Armchair Additional chair Round occasional table Separate shower Bath Walk in closet in the bathroom Scales Hair dryer Complimentary shoe shine Bath robes Luxury bathroom amenities Safe Iron and ironing board Complimentary mineral water Complimentary Evian mist spray Terrace/balcony	2 adults and 1 child under 12 (in existing bedding)	48

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Room is a sizable room at 56 sqm. It has an entrance hallway with the bathroom off it and it leads into the bedroom. The bedroom has a rich coloured carpet, gold curtains and dark balanise type wood furniture. The bathroom has a walk in closet and a separate shower and bath with a sliding screen that opens the bathroom to the room and allows natural light into the bathroom. The bathroom is decorated in beige marble with white sanitary wear. The room overall is decorated in a sophisticated style with deep pile carpets. The balcony is a larger than "normal" size with two armchairs, a table and ample space for dining al fresco.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Suite	6	Sea	As per the Deluxe Room plus: Separate lounge Dressing room Guest toilet Additional plasma television Double length balcony Open bar Lounge furniture includes: Two seat sofa Two armchairs Chaise longe Round coffee table Bedroom includes: Desk with internet connection Two armchairs	2 adults and 1 child under 12 (in existing bedding)	116

Cranley Comment

The Suite has the benefit of being twice the size of the Deluxe Room and is a well appointed room with a separate lounge, walk-in dressing area and guest toilet. The Suite is decorated in the same rich Arabic style as the Deluxe Room and has an entrance hallway off which is the guest toilet and the doorway to the dressing area which also leads through into the en-suite bathroom. The hallway leads into the lounge which has an array of furniture and state of the art plasma screens and an open bar. There is also access to the balcony that runs the length of the lounge and bedroom and has two arm chairs and two sun beds. The bedroom is also richly decorated and as well as armchairs and coffee tables has a desk area with high speed internet connectivity. The bedroom also has access to the balcony.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Suite	6	Sea	As per the Suite plus: Additional space Large shower with side jets	2 Adults and 1 child under 12 (in existing bedding)	132

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Suite has an entrance hall which leads round to a lounge and off which is the dressing room and access to the en-suite bathroom that allows it to double as a guest toilet without guests having to enter the bedroom. The lounge is a square shaped room that has a range of sofa’s and chairs and a plasma screen and looks out to the ocean. Opposite the lounge window is a bar area and to one side is a guest washroom. The bedroom is entered into via a doorway next to the television and is a square shaped room with two armchairs, a desk and plasma screen. From the bedroom are double doors into the en-suite bathroom which has a feature of the shower which is a large area with seating and with side jets as well as an overhead shower head. The Deluxe Suite is decorated in a sophisticated style like the Deluxe Room with gold themed carpet and light coloured walls with some light wood panelling as well as dark wood screens behind the bed and along one wall of the bathroom. Outside is a patio with a range of furniture.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Specialty Suites	3	Sea	As per the Deluxe Room plus: Separate lounge/dining room with Dining table for eight persons Plasma Screen Two seater sofa Two armchairs Chaise longe Bar area Kitchenette with: Sink Two pan hob Separate entrance for staff Separate guest washroom Larger bedroom with Plasma satellite television in the bedroom Desk in the bedroom Chaise longe Armchair Round coffee table Round occasional table Larger bathroom with: L shaped dressing room. Jacuzzi on the balcony Two sunbeds on the balcony	2 Adults and 1 child under 12 (in existing bedding)	174

Cranley Comment

The hotel has three Speciality Suites. They are sizable suites at 174 sqm and comprise of an entrance hall off which is the guest washroom and leads into a lounge/dining room. At one end of the room is the dining area with a bar unit against the wall and a doorway leading into the kitchenette which can also be accessed by room service staff from the outside to bring and prepare food. At the other end of the room is the lounge area with an array of furniture and a plasma television on the wall. The bedroom door is next to the television and comprises of a larger bedroom that the Deluxe Room with a desk area and comfortable style arm chairs. The en-suite bathroom again is a sizable room and as well as the usual amenities also has a walk-in dressing room and wardrobes that is in an L shape. The room is decorated with a gold themed carpet, light wood wall panelling and dark wood dining table. The bathroom is decorated in similar beige tiling as the Deluxe room. Around the room are various sculptures and vases to add to the sophistication. Outside there is a large balcony with a Jacuzzi and sunbeds and tables and chairs.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suites	1	Sea	To be advised	To be advised	500

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suite is due to open later in the year when a full description will be available.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

As well as having two fine dining restaurants the Al Husn also has a lobby lounge and casual food at the pool and beach. Within the rest of the resort are numerous other restaurants covering a number of food types like Italian, Omani and other international cuisines.

Sultanah

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	Total 100, inside 70, outside 30
Opening Times	Daily 06.30 to 23.30
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities	High chairs
Breakfast Options	A full buffet breakfast with live cooking stations is available from 06.30 to 11.00

Cranley Comment

The Sultanah Restaurant is named after the first boat to sail from the Middle East to the United States. The restaurant overlooks the resort and as well as being the breakfast location is also the main all day international restaurant and serves a daytime and evening menu. The menu has typical dishes like oven roasted red snapper, seared king fish with smoked eggplant mash and steamed fillet of sole. In addition the restaurant has some themed menu’s which at the time of the review was the foie gras specials. The restaurant is laid out in a subtle nautical theme and has two private dining rooms and seating inside or outside on a terrace overlooking the resort and ocean.

Shahrazad

Restaurant Type	Moroccan
Restaurant Capacity	Total 102, Inside 82, outside 20