Top: the dramatic ramparts of Rustaq Fort. Middle: the private courtyard at
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Above: an oasis of serenity at Dunes by Al Nahdagoodthingsmagazine.comLUXURY ESCAPES125F
rom bubblicious brunches to The Burj
Khalifa, via six-wheeled gold Mercedes
trucks racing lime green Lamborghinis,
there’s no doubt the UAE is synonymous
with luxury and excess. But that doesn’t
conjure up the Arabian mystique I’ve
always longed to experience. I want to hear
kaman violins and darbuka drums playing
traditional music as I sip Arabic coffee; the
air scented with frankincense.
Thankfully, the Sultanate of Oman proves
to be exactly what I’d hoped for. Peaceful;
stable; embracing the modern world whilst
upholding traditional culture.Shopping and sea views
Muscat’s bustling Mutrah Souk is one of
the world’s oldest; a labyrinthine network
vending colourful Omani and Indian
artefacts and spices. As I emerge, clutching
the obligatory hookah pipe and dates, my
vision is commanded by huge ships docked
in the bright-blue Mutrah Corniche port –
the Sultan’s two personal yachts and several
cruise ships amongst their number.
The laer are a reminder that Oman is
primed for luxury tourism. As the most-
visited Gulf cruise destination (aracting up
to 200,000 visitors annually), the Sultanate
is currently building a second, larger port.
As we eat a lavish lunch at traditional
restaurant Bait Al Luban, whose name
means 'the frankincense house', Oman’s
historic East African and Indian trading
links are evident. A feast of slow-cooked
meats and biryani is followed by potent
Arabic coffee that’s sufficiently strong to see
us through the rest of the day.
We’re driven along a dramatic coastline to
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, a resort and spa
comprising three hotels which share almost
a mile of private beach, and boast a host ofARABIAN
NIGHTS
Courtney Maggs-Jones
discovers the Sultanate
of Oman, where rich
cultural traditions
meet modern luxuryPHOTOGRAPHY THE CLEVELAND AGENCYOman_MATTCATHYZP.indd 125 04/04/2017 21:25