Wednesday 18 / June / 2025
Muscat: IN the relentless summer heat of Oman, where the sun hangs heavy and the landscape bakes in shades of ochre, discovering comfort — let alone joy — can feel like wishful thinking. And yet, tucked between Muscat’s rugged cliffs and the calm, shimmering waters of the Gulf of Oman, there lies a place that delivers exactly that: Al Waha Hotel, the family-friendly heart of Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa.
Having heard glowing tales from local families who make it their go-to weekend retreat, I finally found myself there on a particularly sweltering June weekend. What I discovered was not just a hotel stay — it was a cool, immersive experience that softened the summer and wrapped me in a kind of barefoot luxury I hadn’t realised I needed.
The arrival: Where the mountains meet the sea
The drive into the resort is dramatic in itself — winding along the rugged coastline and the stark desert cliffs. One of the most striking moments comes just before you reach Al Waha: an architectural marvel in the form of a tunnel carved directly through the mountain. This one-of-its-kind passageway, seamlessly blending natural rock with modern engineering, frames your entrance like a hidden gateway to an oasis. Emerging from the tunnel, the resort reveals itself in full splendor — its warm sand-coloured buildings.
Stepping into the lobby, I was greeted with that faint, comforting scent of frankincense in the air — a subtle but unmistakable reminder that this was still Oman, even as the resort transported you elsewhere.
I was booked for an all-inclusive stay that is the latest offering from Al Waha (OMR110++ per room per night). The gold package had my breakfast, lunch & dinner taken care of – along with unlimited house beverages. The hotel manager informed me that the package could be upgraded to premium (OMR 20 net per person) or jubilee package – in celebration of the hotel's 20th year anniversary at OMR 30 net per person.
A family paradise in motion
Al Waha has an unmistakable energy. It is, unabashedly, a family hotel — and proud of it. Everywhere you look, children are at play, whether darting between poolside loungers or lazily floating in colourful tubes down the Lazy River, the gentle stream that links Al Waha to its sister property, Al Bandar.
The three swimming pools are perpetually lively — one dedicated to toddlers, another perfect for family games, and a quieter one for more peaceful lounging. Yet, even amid the splashes and squeals of delighted kids, there’s a sense of order, care, and calm.
Lifeguards are ever-present and cheerful. And parents — blissfully relieved of planning and policing — lounge with books, iced drinks, and wide smiles.
One afternoon, floating down the Lazy River with the sun dappling through palms overhead, I struck up a chat with a local couple who’ve made Al Waha their family’s second home. “We’ve been coming here since our eldest was in diapers,” the mother told me. “Now he’s diving into the deep end on his own. It’s more than a hotel — it’s where our memories are.”
That sentiment echoed throughout my stay. This wasn’t just a resort. It was a summer rhythm — full of laughter, ease, and the kind of light-hearted living we often forget in the rush of everyday life.
Food for every craving
A place like this knows how to feed its guests — not just with variety, but with soul.
At Samba, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, breakfast quickly became a ritual. I would wander slowly past stations offering everything from fluffy pancakes to spiced Middle Eastern stews to Indian Dosas. Chef Ravinder Singh and Moorthy went the extra way to accommodate my dietary requests in close coordination with restaurant manager Dev Khatwani.
One morning, I paused at the live egg station and watched as the chef gently cracked eggs and mixed vegetables for my masala omelette. The croissants were golden, buttery, and — crucially — never stale. I’d promise myself I wouldn’t touch the sweets, then surrender at the sight of date-filled pastries, paired perfectly with strong Arabic coffee and Umm Ali during my dinner.
For something breezier, Surf Café became my midday haunt. With sand still clinging to my feet, I’d sink into a beach-facing chair and order a mango smoothie or a club sandwich. Families streamed in post-swim, teens debated milkshake flavours, and the whole place had the relaxed vibe of a surfer shack with five-star service.
At Assira, the poolside restaurant, just as the day turned golden, I enjoyed a lime-and-mint cooler in hand and enjoyed the view of the sea sitting beneath a canopy of stars, while the last echoes of the day’s energy faded into the evening breeze.
Small luxuries, lasting impressions
What sets Al Waha apart isn’t just its location or amenities — it’s the unspoken ease of the experience. There's thoughtfulness in every detail: towels always available, shaded walkways to protect from the sun, smiling staff who remembered my name — and even how I liked my coffee by the second morning.
Checking out of Al Waha was, surprisingly, the hardest part of the trip. I hadn’t expected to feel such a deep sense of rejuvenation — not just physically, but emotionally. In two days, the chaos of deadlines, heat, and city life had melted away, replaced by the sound of kids’ laughter, the feel of cool water, and the lingering taste of mint and citrus on my tongue.
Al Waha doesn’t try to be everything. It simply knows what it is — a sanctuary for families, a haven for summer, and a place where joy feels easy again.
In a country known for its landscapes and warmth, this resort offers something rarer: a sense of belonging, wrapped in comfort and sunshine.
