Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah is a beautiful resort set in a stunning natural location between the mountains and the sea. The grounds are expansive, well designed, and offer a relaxing atmosphere that truly feels like an escape. The private beach, pools, and overall scenery are standout features. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with lovely views and good amenities. However, it was disappointing to arrive and find our room noticeably dirty, which is not what you expect from a resort of this level. That said, our room attendant, Vamshi, was absolutely amazing — professional, kind, and very attentive. He went out of his way to ensure everything was thoroughly cleaned and made us feel genuinely cared for, which made a big difference to our stay. Most of the staff were friendly and welcoming, and many clearly made an effort to ensure guests felt looked after. Dining options are varied, and while some restaurants were excellent, others felt a bit inconsistent in terms of quality and service. At times, service could be slow, especially during busy periods, and a few details didn’t quite meet the high expectations that come with the Shangri-La name. However, these were minor issues and did not significantly take away from the overall experience. Overall, this is a high-quality resort and a great choice for a relaxing stay in Muscat. With better attention to cleanliness on arrival and more consistency in service, it could easily be a five-star experience.

The hotel has some clear strengths: the staff are extremely kind and helpful, everything is very clean, breakfast is very good, and water is delivered to the room daily. I also had an excellent experience at the spa — the treatment was truly outstanding. However, several issues made our stay disappointing. We arrived a day later than planned, yet no one asked why, whether everything was alright, or if we needed any assistance. The only communication we received was an email informing us that we would be charged for the missed night. We also wanted to book an adults-only area, but the app does not clearly distinguish between the different wings of the resort. As a result, we ended up in the family/children’s section, which was not what we were looking for. On top of that, we paid extra for a room with a “view”, but it overlooked a rushing stream where people start shouting from early morning, making it impossible to rest. The food in the restaurants was very poor and overpriced. The rooms themselves are very old; water pours out of the shower onto the floor, the toilet flush works poorly, and the curtains in the room were terrible. There was also an unpleasant smell coming from the dresser. Additionally, even with the air conditioning turned off, the fan inside continued to run loudly. Overall, the service was friendly, but the lack of attention during check-in, the unclear booking process, the outdated rooms, and the low quality of dining do not match the price or the expected Shangri-La standard.

I recently stayed at this hotel and had a truly wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and well cared for. Everyone we interacted with was incredibly friendly, attentive, and thoughtful What stood out most was how caring they were with my 3-year-old. They always took a moment to talk to her, made sure she was comfortable, and even offered little gestures that made her smile. Their attentiveness made traveling with a young child so much easier and far more enjoyable. The hotel itself was clean, well-maintained, and relaxing, but it was the exceptional staff that really made our stay special. A special mention to Mary Ann and Thaw From Ava and family

Our family had the most amazing stay at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah! From the moment we arrived until the day we left, everything was just perfect. The staff were incredible — so helpful, friendly, and genuinely caring. Everyone we met had such a positive attitude and paid attention to every little detail, which made us feel so welcome and looked after. A very special thank you to Shintia, who went above and beyond to make our stay truly special — she’s wonderful! And to the Al Tanoor pastry chef for the best Umm Ali in town! We also loved our experience with Khalid, the frankincense sommelier — such a unique and fascinating part of the stay. And a big thank-you to Raj and Rumi for the amazing visit to the Classic Car Museum — it was such a fun and memorable experience. The resort itself is stunning — beautiful surroundings, great facilities, and such a peaceful atmosphere. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you to the whole Shangri-La team for making our family trip so special. We can’t wait to come back!

michaela at chow mee was the best - always accomodating - fit us in last minute when we forgot to make reservations. she was also at the beach hotel and made our stay very comfortable. she was so friendly and had a smiling face even when the restaurant is busy she was able to deal with every situation calmly. all her staff seem to love her- she is true hard working credit to the hotel. special mention to suhail who cleaned our room and stocked everything up with water bottles. the room was spotless everyday - amazing suhail and always greeting us with a smile. dawud in pool was so friednly moving my phone incase it fell in the pool - found shiny sea shellls from the beach to give my kids. always attentive friendly amazing and so was sangeeth the lifeguard. always checking on my kids when swimming and vigilant, smiling and friendly. incredible service also from murthi making us the best dosa ever at breakfast- didnt even have to ask as soon as he sees our faces he knows what to make us everyday - best chef ever.then shintai went out of her way to get us a late checkout - smiling / happy to help- no task too small for her.we made lasting friends at shangri la- bit far from town centre but the ambiance of the incredible beach and the people who work here make it well worth the stay. we will be returning very soon. facilities are amazing -

Considering the amount we paid, our stay at Shangri-La Oman was disappointing. The level of service and the room quality did not match what is expected from a luxury hotel at this price point. In reality, the only real advantage of this stay was the view and the surrounding location. Given the price, we could have enjoyed a much better overall experience elsewhere. If given the choice again, I would definitely consider other options that offer better value for money.

Our stay at Shangri-La Muscat was truly exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by genuine hospitality and warmth. The staff across the entire property are absolutely amazing, always smiling, attentive, and ready to help in every possible way. A very special thank you to the wonderful team who went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable by preparing a beautiful handwritten card filled with lovely messages, along with a thoughtful “see you soon” plate. These personal touches meant so much to us and perfectly reflect the heart of Shangri-La hospitality. I would especially like to highlight Christine, Childa, Mary Ann, Sanjaya, Thaw, and Ishrat for their outstanding service, kindness, and dedication. They truly made us feel valued and at home. The only area for improvement would be the rooms and some parts of the building, which could benefit from more modern equipment and updated facilities, as certain areas feel a little dated. That said, this did not take away from the incredible service and overall experience. Shangri-La Muscat is not just a destination—it’s an experience defined by people who genuinely care. We look forward to returning again soon.

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at this hotel. The staff were incredibly friendly and always willing to help, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The facilities were truly outstanding: from the delicious food to the private beach, lazy river, and multiple swimming pools - everything exceeded our expectations. Whether we wanted to relax, explore, or simply enjoy great service, this hotel offered the perfect experience. We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable getaway in Oman - Muscat and would love to return in the future.