In Oman, there is a coffee-serving ritual to welcome guests into your home. The host or eldest son of the family moves clockwise around the table pouring the qahwa (coffee in Arabic) into glasses shaped like large thimbles. The guests are served attentively, with their cups being refilled several times in a sign of generosity and respect.
For me, that qahwa ceremony symbolised the warmth of traditional Omani hospitality that I encountered throughout my time in the capital, Muscat. Every element of my stay at the Shangri-La Al Husn resort was designed with the same attention to detail.
Al Husn is Arabic for “the castle” – a fitting name. The resort has 180 rooms, 14 bars and restaurants, a private 100-metre beach, a spa where the treatments are based around the use of frankincense, and a sparkling infinity pool. In other words, guests are transported into an oasis of luxury from the moment they arrive.
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The adults-only resort is built on the edge of a golden cliff, overlooking the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, away from the bustle of city life. Al Husn has a strong sense of place. The resort is run by the prestigious international hotel group Shangri-La, but it is no less full of local charm for that. For example, you will find frankincense burning in the entrance hall as you arrive and the common areas are adorned with striking geometric shapes – a key feature of Islamic art.
A room with a sea view
The guest rooms combine traditional Middle Eastern style and modern luxury. Think thick Persian rugs and high threadcount Egyptian cotton sheets. The beds are enormous and very comfortable – you will sleep well at Al Husn. The bathrooms are big enough to run laps in, although the marble surfaces might make that difficult. You can even enjoy a sea view from the bath thanks to sliding wooden panels.
The real star of the show, however, was the view from my balcony. My room overlooked the resort’s private beach and iconic sea arch. Each morning, on drawing back the curtains, golden sunlight flooded in along with the sound of the sea on stepping out onto the balcony.
A range of activities and excursions can be arranged from Al Husn. I would recommend booking a snorkelling tour if you enjoy swimming. The sea is warm and brimming with life – don’t be surprised to see dolphins swimming right up to your boat. We also swam alongside three friendly sea turtles.
Sleeping under the stars
The Wahiba Sands desert is another must-visit. Our group enjoyed an overnight “glamping experience” organised through a company called Canvas Club. We arrived at the campsite on camels as the sun was setting and stayed in luxury teepees, miles away from the nearest village. At night, the stars were so clear I was able to plot the constellations. Abandon any notions of sleeping bags and foam mats. Each teepee contained a comfortable double bed. The open-roof bathroom also meant I was able to enjoy the surreal experience of showering in the middle of the desert.
A city tour is another important part of any stay in Muscat. Your local guide will take you to some of the main sites, including the beautiful Grand Mosque. One of the mosque’s five minarets is 90 metres in height, making it the country’s tallest structure. The gardens are pristine and the entire site exudes a sense of calm.
Just be sure to return to Al Husn for dinner – the resort has a diverse range of high-quality restaurants. Aangan, the Indian restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, was a particular favourite. You can’t go wrong with the masala prawns or lamb rogan josh.
On a cold day in London as I reach for the thermostat, there are few places I’d rather be than on the beach, sipping a cocktail and reading a book. You will leave feeling rejuvenated.
Katie was a guest of Shangri-La Al Husn. For further details, visit shangri-la.com/muscat/alhusnresortandspa/
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