It's Not So Lonely Anymore
In Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, Richard the protagonist says aptly “What’s so f*****g lonely about Ko Sanh Road?” as he backpacks in Bangkok. I love this quote, loved the book and hated Leonardo Di Caprio in the movie. And I do not mean to snub the Lonely Planet guidebooks, as P and I are great fans. But here’s the rub. Lonely Planet calls Oman the “hermit of the Middle East” but the book needs serious updating soon. And like Richard felt about Thailand, I don’t think Oman will be so lonely anymore.
I took a tour today with 20 other people (ok, we were all women) from SAGO, the South African Group of Oman. We visited the site of the Barr al-Jissah Resort and Spa, a huge hotel project situated in 124 acres of landscaped gardens and its own private bay that will house 3 distinct hotels. The resort will be operated by the well known Singapore based Shangri-la Hotel Management Group, which is a brand of choice in Asia and has very high standards. The property is being developed by the Zubairs, one of the Sultanate’s prominent families.
Its 680 rooms are designated 5 stars, 5 stars deluxe and 6 stars. The 3 hotels are architecturally designed to look like a typical Omani castle, and Muscat and Dhofari heritage buildings. The project has raised the bar for all other hotels in the country. It will put Oman in the well-heeled tourist map certainly.
As we toured the resort, I felt a mix of awe and trepidation. Here was a stunning display of private beaches, infinity swimming pools, a lazy river leading from one end of the resort to the tony spa at the centre, several restaurants, tastefully opulent reception areas, a 15 metre chandelier, gold leafed ballrooms, classy suites all facing the sea and an Omani heritage village. An Omani village? Oh yes - so that guests will see the resort as a destination and therefore not worry about venturing outside to see what Oman’s villages are really like. Interesting. The Shangri-La promotional brochure ironically says “You can almost smell the frankincense.” The italics are mine but you get the drift.
All that being said, Oman needs tourists. Even if it is swimming in petrodollars now with oil at $60 a barrel, Oman has a young growing population that cannot survive on oil alone. Reserves are good for maybe another 30 years max, then what? Of the 1200 staff needed to run the hotel, half will be Omanis and in the future, perhaps all. They need those jobs. Tourism is seen as Oman’s future and saviour. And Oman has so much to offer, even if we here jealously guard its secret.
At the tour, we also learned that the Jumeirah Group, the Dubai company that built the world famous 7-star Burj Al-Arab Hotel and the “Palm shaped” real estate project, is developing a 1200 room resort at Yitti beach, the bay next door. Alas for good or bad, Oman is no hermit anymore.
The link for Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa is www.shangri-la.com/muscat/barraljissah/en
Opening is scheduled for January 2006 and March 2006, with bookings accepted beginning December 5, 2005.
I took a tour today with 20 other people (ok, we were all women) from SAGO, the South African Group of Oman. We visited the site of the Barr al-Jissah Resort and Spa, a huge hotel project situated in 124 acres of landscaped gardens and its own private bay that will house 3 distinct hotels. The resort will be operated by the well known Singapore based Shangri-la Hotel Management Group, which is a brand of choice in Asia and has very high standards. The property is being developed by the Zubairs, one of the Sultanate’s prominent families.
Its 680 rooms are designated 5 stars, 5 stars deluxe and 6 stars. The 3 hotels are architecturally designed to look like a typical Omani castle, and Muscat and Dhofari heritage buildings. The project has raised the bar for all other hotels in the country. It will put Oman in the well-heeled tourist map certainly.
As we toured the resort, I felt a mix of awe and trepidation. Here was a stunning display of private beaches, infinity swimming pools, a lazy river leading from one end of the resort to the tony spa at the centre, several restaurants, tastefully opulent reception areas, a 15 metre chandelier, gold leafed ballrooms, classy suites all facing the sea and an Omani heritage village. An Omani village? Oh yes - so that guests will see the resort as a destination and therefore not worry about venturing outside to see what Oman’s villages are really like. Interesting. The Shangri-La promotional brochure ironically says “You can almost smell the frankincense.” The italics are mine but you get the drift.
All that being said, Oman needs tourists. Even if it is swimming in petrodollars now with oil at $60 a barrel, Oman has a young growing population that cannot survive on oil alone. Reserves are good for maybe another 30 years max, then what? Of the 1200 staff needed to run the hotel, half will be Omanis and in the future, perhaps all. They need those jobs. Tourism is seen as Oman’s future and saviour. And Oman has so much to offer, even if we here jealously guard its secret.
At the tour, we also learned that the Jumeirah Group, the Dubai company that built the world famous 7-star Burj Al-Arab Hotel and the “Palm shaped” real estate project, is developing a 1200 room resort at Yitti beach, the bay next door. Alas for good or bad, Oman is no hermit anymore.
The link for Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa is www.shangri-la.com/muscat/barraljissah/en
Opening is scheduled for January 2006 and March 2006, with bookings accepted beginning December 5, 2005.
Labels: Oman
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