Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa – Al Waha
Shangri-La's 5-star oasis for families
Meaning "The Oasis" in Arabic, Al Waha hotel is the largest and most family-friendly of the three environments that make up Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Overlooking the Gulf of Oman, it has glorious pool facilities fringed with palms and a pool bar which sits adjacent to a dedicated kids' pool. You can explore dining across the resort — with inspiring beachfront Omani cuisine, Asian delicacies and extravagent buffets to try — and between meals you can go over or under the ocean with kayaking or diving, have some family fun at Adventure Zone, or unwind on the 500-metre lazy river that runs between Al Waha and Al Bandar next door.
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa – Al Waha
Beach
Approx. 1 hour from airport
Connected to the Shangri-La Al Bandar Resort by a lazy river
Short driving distance to Muscat airport and the city centre
1439 Reviews
86% of travellers recommended this hotel
Traveller ratings
Excellent
748
Very Good
464
Average
153
Poor
47
Terrible
27
What to Expect
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Reviews
Jun 04, 2019
Wonderful staff and beautiful location
My wife and I stayed here with my 10 year old daughter for 5 nights in May and we had a wonderful stay. First and foremost I think the friendly and caring staff at this resort are exemplary and that's a credit to the management, it was really nice to see on one of the quieter days that the staff were enjoying some downtime and doing some fun team building type activities together. The other thing to say is this resort is in one of the most picturesque locations with access to a beautiful beach & crystal clear waters! Other top points are the clean pools, the lazy river and the breakfast buffet and the lovely mocktails. I would like to see some of the decor, particularly the carpets in hallways updated as they do look worn out and give a slightly dated feeling.
Apr 25, 2019
OK - But totally overpriced
Warwick, United Kingdom
Friendly staff and a nice hotel but I am not sure that it is the 5 star quality you would expect from the Shangri-La. I am very comfortably paying for quality but I found this hotel ridiculously expensive to the point that it was annoying. A glass if low quality wine was £10-12 for 175ml and over £16 for 250ml which the waiter “guessed” so you actually felt totally scammed.
Unfortunately, I would not stay here again even though the staff were fabulous and very friendly.
Apr 23, 2019
Over priced, dirty, and like staying in a creche!
Hampshire, United Kingdom
We travelled here after staying at the Anantara in Al Jabal Al Akhdar for a few days (that hotel was amazing) and arrived to what can only be described as a creche in the sun.
Our room wasn't available when we checked in and to the hotel's credit they provided a complimentary lunch for us.
We were travelling with our 17-year old daughter and 12-year old son. The rooms that we were given (3039 and 3040) were terrible. We were located right by the kids pool and the only door to our rooms opened up directly into the main area so that we had zero privacy. If we came to our room, we had to close the curtains to stop people walking past looking in.
The noise went on from 7am to 9pm with kids shouting and screaming, running past, knocking on the door, and little opportunity for rest.
The rooms were very dated and filthy dirty.
We asked the hotel if they could move us into a different room but they did not. We asked twice at reception but to be honest they couldn't be bothered. Our travel agent (letsgo2 also were no use....we raised the issues with them but again once they'd got their money they weren't interested.
At the end of the stay we were asked if everything was OK with our stay and when we said no, they said "sorry" but then just ignored the conversation and gave us our bill
Apr 13, 2019
Great family hotel but rooms not 5 star
Epsom, United Kingdom
We travelled to Oman as a family of 4 (kids aged 11 and 4) and stayed for a week at the Shangri La Al Waha in a family room which is basically two interconnecting rooms.
Overall we had a great time and there are many excellent things about the hotel which I have put in a list below:
1) Great pool facilities include kids slides and a lazy river which will keep the kids occupied for hours
2) Friendly and helpful staff and in general good service
3) Great breakfast selection which we got included with our room rate
4) Beautiful clean, safe beach with a great selection of free activities including snorkelling and kayaking
5) Focus on conservation including hatching endangered species of baby turtles - they have an eco centre on site with daily talks
6) Good snorkelling straight off the beach - I saw a turtle swimming in the Wild which was amazing
7) Fantastic scenery with mountains and beautiful green grounds surrounding the hotel
8) Good selection of family and fitness activities every day
9) Nice selection of restaurants - Tapas was our family favourite
10) Unlimited complimentary water and very good free high internet access - full Netflix streaming no problem at all!
11) Close access to a diving centre which offered a great dolphin spotting and snorkelling tour
So many things to recommend - so why not 5 stars? Again I will use the list format....
1) We were pretty disappointed with the quality of the room. In fact, we had to complain about the first room we were allocated due to a very unpleasant strong smell of drains when we checked in. We were moved to another room which was much better but still was quite worn including stains on carpets, chipped furniture etc. In summary, rooms are adequate, but they definitely could do with some refurbishment.
2) The same applies to the communal areas, carpets and stairs need some work which you would not necessarily expect given the cost
3) Lets’s be clear, this hotel is very expensive. Pretty impossible to get away with having lunch for less than 25 Omani rials which works out at more than £50....and that is without alcohol or anything fancy so you can imagine how that ramps up at dinner! The hotel gave us a bottle of Prosecco as compensation for our room issues and I saw that would usually have cost more than £55! £7 for a bottle of beer is the standard so think about how much you want to drink....
4) Linked with the above, the hotel has you where they want you as there is nowhere within walking distance which means you are locked in - the only options for snacks are from the mini bar at extreme prices. We did not rent a car but it might have been worth it to give you options outside of the hotel although you still need to drive for 15-20 minutes to get anywhere. My wife found it a little claustrophobic after a while.
5) They have the same kids menu at every restaurant which got a bit limiting after a while for the kids.
In summary, I am sure you and your family would have a great time here and I would focus on the spectacular setting and great pool and beach facilities but be prepared for the high cost of food and drink and average condition of the rooms and then you will have a great time. My personal tip would be to snorkel near the rocks at the Al Waha part of the beach and hopefully see my friend the turtle again :)
Apr 10, 2019
Kid’s Paradise
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It was amazing few days out with our 1.8 years old. Some useful info for a parents, if you plan to go to this hotel then you are 💯% on the right way. Resort has many outdoor activities for all of the kids. It has temperature control swimmings pools, slides and many splash fountains. We were surprised when we found even salt swimming pool for a kids with fountain in the middle. So to make a conclusion, your kid won’t be disappointed if you will take him to this hotel.
To talk about the hotel itself, I would say it’s a little bit shabby, but all stuff tries to keep everything and tidy and very appropriate conditions where actually they are succeeding.
I would really advise to start renovate rooms slowly to keep high rating.
So, we haven’t found nothing negative.
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa – Al Waha
Room Types
Superior Sea View Room
With views of the gulf, this room has a furnished balcony or patio and complimentary Wi-Fi. The luxurious bathroom has a separate bath and shower and there is a full-size desk, minibar (payable locally), and electronic safe.
With enhanced views of the ocean, sit down on your furnished balcony or terrace and unwind. Each comes with complimentary Wi-Fi and a bathroom with shower and separate bath, as well as an electronic safe, minibar (payable locally), and movie channels.
Comprised of two interconnected rooms — one with a king-sized bed and the other with twins — this room has garden and pool views from a furnished balcony or patio and is equipped with two en-suite bathrooms. There is complimentary Wi-Fi and a minibar (payable locally), a Playstation and DVD player, and an electronic safe.
The luxurious one bedroom suite has contemporary Arabian interiors and views of the gardens and sea. It has a large furnished balcony or patio and a separate sitting room with dining area. Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, a TV with DVD entertainment system, a minibar (payable locally), and electronic safe.
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa – Al Waha
Food & Drink
Samba
Featuring an open show kitchen, this restaurant showcases famous recipes stretching from Asia to Latin America.
Al Waha Lobby Lounge
Enjoy panoramic views while indulging in a range of coffees, teas, cocktails and light snacks
Assira Pool Bar
Surf Café
From burgers to salads you can enjoy a variety of snacks and meals at this casual dining venue. Also take advantage of the individual internet stations.
Board Basis Options
Bed & Breakfast
Breakfast in a buffet style from Samba.
Half Board
Breakfast and dinner at Samba.
Full Board
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Samba.
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1439 Reviews 
Traveller ratings
What to Expect
Reviews
Wonderful staff and beautiful location
OK - But totally overpriced
Warwick, United Kingdom
Over priced, dirty, and like staying in a creche!
Hampshire, United Kingdom
Great family hotel but rooms not 5 star
Epsom, United Kingdom
Kid’s Paradise
Dubai, United Arab Emirates