Hotel Review: Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat

If you’re planning to visit Muscat, Oman, and are looking for a luxurious hotel experience, then Shangri-La Al Husn is definitely the place to be! Located on the outskirts of the city and surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, this 5-star adults-only resort offers breathtaking views and unparalleled amenities.

We had the chance to stay here for 3 nights during our Oman trip and the experience was nothing short of magical. Read on to learn more about our stay at Shangri-La Al Husn and why you should consider it for your next vacation.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. Please note that we were invited to stay at Shangri-La Al Husn, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.*

Basic Information

Arriving at Shangri-La Al Husn

Shangri-La Al Husn is located approximately 40 minutes away from Muscat International Airport.

As we were planning to do a road trip around Oman, we decided to rent a car at the airport and drive to the hotel. The drive was quite pleasant and we were greeted by friendly staff upon arrival.

The hotel offers a valet parking service, so we didn’t have to worry about finding a spot for our car.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can simply hop in a taxi or arrange a transfer through the hotel. If you want to go all out, you can even decide to arrive in style by booking a limousine or helicopter transfer. I’m not kidding!

One step into the hotel lobby and I was already blown away by the grandeur and elegance of the place. The lobby features beautiful Arabian-inspired decor with stunning arches and water elements.

We were quickly checked in and one of the employees gave us a quick tour of the hotel and its facilities, which was a really nice touch.

Shangri-La occupies a huge, 124-acre property which is home to two different hotels.

Shangri-La Al Husn, where we stayed, is the more exclusive and luxurious option and the hotel is situated at the highest point of the property, offering amazing views of the Gulf of Oman.

It’s an adults-only hotel, so it’s perfect for couples or anyone seeking a peaceful and quiet holiday.

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah is the sister hotel, located at a lower level of the property. It’s comprised of two different wings: Al Bandar is catering towards business and leisure, while Al Waha is ideal for families. The two wings are connected by a huge, white sandy beach and a lazy river.

As a guest of Shangri-La Al Husn, you get access to all three hotels and their facilities, so it’s really the best of both worlds.

On the contrary, guests from Al Bandar and Al Waha are not allowed to use the facilities at Shangri-La Al Husn (except restaurants with a prior reservation), so this makes for a more exclusive and intimate experience.

The whole hotel complex was built to resemble an Arabian palace and it truly felt like we were transported to a completely different world.

The architecture is simply stunning and blends in perfectly with the natural surroundings. Every corner of the hotel is Instagram-worthy and trust me, we took full advantage of it!

Rooms & Suites

Shangri-La Al Husn offers six different room categories, all of which are extremely spacious and luxurious.

The three types of deluxe rooms are all 48 sqm/517 sqft and offer stunning views of the sea, the infinity pool, or the mountains. You can also choose from three suites, ranging from 96 sqm/1,033 sqft to 500 sqm/5,382 sqft, each with its own unique and lavish design.

Al Husn Deluxe Sea View Room

We stayed in the Al Husn Deluxe Sea View Room and let me tell you, it was a dream come true! The room itself is huge and features a comfortable bed, a seating area with a sofa and an armchair, and a full-size writing desk.

The bathroom was equally impressive, with a large deep-soaking bathtub, a separate rainfall shower, and a walk-in closet. They even provide you with Luban Spa toiletries which are just heavenly!

The highlight, however, was definitely the private balcony with panoramic views of the Gulf of Oman. I loved spending my mornings here, sipping coffee and enjoying the view of the sea.

One thing that really impressed us was how attentive and thoughtful the staff were. They had left us a personalized welcome note and a plate of fresh fruits and sweets in our room upon arrival, which was a lovely gesture.

Another thing I really loved was the inclusions that come with all room categories. These include a daily complimentary mini-bar, afternoon tea at the Sultanah Lounge, and pre-dinner drinks and canapés at the courtyard.

Facilities

Infinity pool

The infinity pool at Shangri-La Al Husn is definitely one of the highlights of the property.

Located right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Oman, this pool offers breathtaking views and is the perfect spot for relaxation and sunbathing. You can also order refreshing drinks and light bites from the poolside bar, which is a nice touch.

The best thing is that since the pool is exclusive to Shangri-La Al Husn guests, it’s never crowded and you can always find a spot to lounge in. I absolutely loved spending my afternoons here!

Private Beach

If you prefer the beach over the pool, Shangri-La Al Husn also has a private beach exclusively reserved for in-house guests.

The beach is pristine, with fine white sand and crystal clear water. It’s surrounded by dramatic cliff formations, making for an even more picturesque setting. The natural arch on the cliff is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the hotel!

You can spend your day lounging on one of the sunbeds, taking a dip in the sea, or trying out various water activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

The hotel also provides towels, umbrellas, and complimentary water bottles for their guests at the beach.

You can also grab a bite at Mahhara Beach Bar which is located right on the beach and serves up delicious grill dishes and refreshing drinks. More about this later!

Beach at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah

As mentioned earlier, Shangri-La Al Husn guests have access to all the facilities at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, including their beach. This is a great option if you want a change of scenery or want to explore another part of the hotel complex.

The beach here is bigger than the one at Shangri-La Al Husn but it’s also a lot more crowded, as it’s open to all hotel guests. However, it’s still a beautiful spot to spend the day and you can also try out different water activities here.

Shangri La’s Turtle Care Project

Speaking of the beach, both the private beach at Shangri-La Al Husn and the beach at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah are home to a very special project – the Shangri La Turtle Care Project.

The beaches have always been a turtle nesting site and the hotel has taken it upon themselves to protect the mama turtles and their nesting sites. Therefore you will see lots of roped-off areas on the beach to protect these precious creatures.

Each of these areas has a predicted date of hatching and the approximate number of eggs. We were lucky enough to witness a turtle hatching during our stay and it was truly an unforgettable experience!

It was heartwarming to see the hotel taking such care and effort towards protecting these turtles, and it’s definitely something that sets Shangri-La Al Husn apart from other luxury hotels.

Lazy River

The lazy river is a unique feature at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, and it’s definitely worth experiencing even if you are staying at Al Husn.

This is actually the only lazy river in Oman and it’s a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the hotel.

The river connects Al Waha and Al Bandar – the two wings of Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah – and you can hop on an inflatable tube and float around for as long as you like. It’s especially fun for kids, but adults can also enjoy it just as much.

Spa

If you want to pamper yourself during your stay, you have two options: you can either book a treatment at the Luban Spa at Shangri-La Al Husn, or you can visit CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah.

We opted for the latter and it was a fantastic experience. The spa itself is located in a secluded area of the hotel complex, surrounded by lush greenery and water features. It truly feels like stepping into a tranquil oasis!

The treatments take place in the spa villas, which have private gardens and outdoor terraces.

The spa menu is extensive, offering a wide range of massages, facials, and body treatments. We opted for a relaxing aromatherapy couples massage and it was really amazing.

After your treatment, you can relax in the spa’s private water oasis, which includes a vitality hydro pool, a steam room, and a relaxation area. Talk about ultimate luxury and indulgence!

Gym

If you want to stay active during your stay, Shangri-La Al Husn has a fully equipped gym with state-of-the-art facilities. The gym is located close to the main pool and has beautiful views of the sea.

One of the things I really loved is that the gym is open 24/7, so you can work out whenever it suits you. Additionally, you can also use the Health Club at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, which is located close to CHI, The Spa.

Dining

Shangri-La Al Husn has two main restaurants: Sultanah serves international cuisine with Omani influences for all-day dining, and Aangan by Rohit Ghai offers contemporary Indian cuisine for dinner.

Apart from the two restaurants, you can also visit Mahhara Beach Bar for lunch or the Al Muheet Pool Bar for light bites and drinks throughout the day.

As mentioned earlier, guests of Shangri-La Al Husn also have access to all the restaurants at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah. This includes Capri Court (Italian), Bait al Bahr (seafood), Chow Mee (South East Asian), and more.

Below I will go into more detail about our dining experiences at Shangri-La Al Husn and Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah.

Sultanah

Sultanah is the main restaurant at Shangri-La Al Husn and it’s where you will have breakfast every morning. The restaurant has a beautiful indoor and outdoor seating area, with stunning views of the Gulf of Oman.

The breakfast is a mix of a la carte dishes and a buffet spread. You can choose from various breakfast options such as eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, fresh fruit, and more. The coffee is also excellent and you absolutely have to try their energy boosters!

If you’re feeling extra lazy, you can also opt for in-room dining for breakfast. With a private balcony overlooking the sea, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy your morning meal and obviously, we took full advantage of this!

You have to preselect your preferred breakfast options through the online form, and everything is delivered to your room at the desired time. I would recommend choosing an early option if you want to enjoy it on the balcony as it gets quite hot later in the day.

Sultanah is also the place where you can enjoy the complimentary afternoon tea which is served between 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The selection of tea and treats varies each day, and it’s a lovely way to relax and enjoy the beautiful view.

Although the pre-dinner drinks usually take place in the courtyard, since we were visiting during Ramadan, they were served at Sultanah. You can choose from a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and some light snacks are also provided.

We also had a chance to dine at Sultanah for dinner one evening, and it was a fantastic experience. The menu offers a variety of Mediterrean-inspired dishes and everything we tried was delicious. The service was also top-notch, with the staff being attentive and friendly throughout our meal.

They offer a 5-course tasting menu called “Discover Sultanah” which I would highly recommend if you want to try a variety of dishes. The highlight for us was the Sultanah’s Beef Rossini, a tender beef fillet served with foie gras and truffle jus.

I also really loved the Chocolate and Raspberry Mile Faille dessert, which was the perfect ending to a lovely dinner.

Mahhara Beach Bar

Located right on the private beach of Shangri-La Al Husn, Mahhara was our go-to place for lunch.

They specialize in fresh flame-grilled seafood dishes but they also serve a variety of salads and sandwiches. We particularly enjoyed the Burrata Salad and we had it multiple times during our stay!

The bar has a really nice vibe and the view of the sea is just stunning. We loved spending our afternoons here, sipping on refreshing drinks and enjoying some delicious food.

Capri Court

Capri Court is an Italian restaurant located on the beach at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah. We had dinner here one evening and it was an amazing experience.

The restaurant has a beautiful outdoor seating area with views of the sea, and the atmosphere is romantic and intimate. The menu offers a variety of authentic Italian dishes, all made with fresh ingredients.

The service was also exceptional, with our waiter going above and beyond to make our dining experience memorable.

Bait al Bahr

We also made a reservation at Bait al Bahr at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah for our last night and it was hands down our favorite dining experience during our stay.

The restaurant specializes in seafood and it’s located right on the beach, with stunning views and a laid-back atmosphere. The food portions were huge and everything we tried was absolutely delicious.

The sushi platter that we ordered as an appetizer was a standout, and the grilled tuna steak for our main course was cooked to perfection. The desserts were also amazing, with the burnt basque cheesecake being my favorite.

Dine by Design

I saved the best for last – the Dine by Design experience at Shangri-La Al Husn.

This is a unique private dining experience that takes place on the stunning clifftop location overlooking the private beach. You get to choose your preferred cuisine from three different options: Mediterranean, non-vegetarian, or vegetarian contemporary Indian).

The classic Arabic setup creates a romantic and magical atmosphere, and the view of the sunset is just phenomenal.

We only had our pre-dinner drinks here, but we were blown away by the location and service. Based on our other dining experiences, I have no doubt that the food here would be exceptional as well.

So if you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to have a unique dining experience, I would highly recommend booking Dine by Design at Shangri-La Al Husn.

Final Thoughts

Staying at Shangri-La Al Husn was truly a dream come true. From the luxurious room and private beach to the exceptional dining experiences and top-notch service, it was a stay that we will never forget.

If you’re looking for a tranquil and exclusive getaway in Muscat, then I highly recommend Shangri-La Al Husn. And even if you’re not staying at the hotel, I would still recommend trying out their restaurants for a special meal or drinks with a view. You won’t be disappointed!

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