Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Enter any home in Oman, however small, and you will be welcomed with wafts of frankincense scenting the air, followed by a cup of sweet Arabic coffee and an offering of succulent dates. The Shangri-La Al Husn resort in Muscat may be on a grander scale compared to a traditional Omani house, but its welcome is the same. Priding itself in rooting guests in the destination, you are greeted with a replica of this everyday Omani ritual as you step through its castle-like doors.
The welcome to Shangri-La Al Husn is inspired by traditional culture. Dramatically perched on a clifftop, overlooking the pearl waters of the Gulf of Oman, the resort reflects its affinity with Omani culture firstly in its architecture. Carved out of pink sandstone, the sprawling property features picturesque archways and turreted walls—a nod to Oman’s historic and ancient forts.
Opulent artworks, gilded ceilings and glossy floors are found throughout the public spaces and are a riff on a modern Middle Eastern aesthetic. Meanwhile, across 180 bedrooms, many with ocean views, the décor is inspired by classical Arabic design—with tasselled, bedside lanterns, fret-work headboards and dark wooden furniture. That’s not to say modern-day luxury hasn’t been thought of, there are huge marble bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and complimentary mini bars, not to mention crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, thick towels and posies of fresh roses to fragrance your roo.