SEVEN projects, most of which are designed to exude Oman’s old-world charm and conform to the latest sustainable standards, are currently being spearheaded by Omran under its mandate to promote the sultanate’s ample tourism potential.

Directed by the Government of Oman to deliver major hospitality related projects and manage tourism assets and investments that benefit local communities and the national economy while protecting Oman’s unique and fragile environment, the company is pushing ahead with a portfolio of projects which are currently at different stages of development.

Apart from the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (see separate article), these projects comprise resorts, hotels and restaurants – namely the Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort, Musandam Resort, Fort Hotel, W Hotel, Quriyat-Sur Rest Area and Salalah Seafood Restaurant – spread throughout the sultanate.

Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort

Construction work on the five-star deluxe Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort, perched on top of the Al Jabal Al Akhdar Mountain in Al Dakhiliya Governorate, has progressed on schedule last year. The resort is due for a soft-opening in Q1 2014 with a grand opening slated for the second quarter.

The resort complex, being built at a height of 2,000 m above sea level overlooking a dramatic gorge, includes 86 hotel rooms and suites, two royal Omani villas, six multi-level spa suites, spa facilities, multiple dining venues with outdoor and indoor pools and water features.

The W hotel ... redesigned by Cowi and Partners.

Designed by W S Atkins International, the resort combines advanced construction technologies and architectural design elements indigenous to the local area. The interiors have been designed by P49 Design. Its striking design earned the project the ‘Best Project Design’ award at the Dossier Construction Awards and Summit last year.

“It was commended for maximising open space, protecting the habitat from sedimentation and erosion, and being built in harmony with the natural environment by using locally-sourced materials that ensure compatibility with the surroundings such as the use of more than 12,000 sq m of natural stone cladding from the mountain,” says a spokesman for Omran.

The resort was also praised for its aspiration to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification upon completion that guarantees international green building practices are followed throughout the project, he adds. It has also applied for a Leed Gold certificate.

In addition, the Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort project achieved a milestone of 2.5 million man-hours completed without any lost time injury LTI during its construction last year.

Musandam Resort

Construction of the 110-room, three-star waterfront Musandam Resort in the Northern Wilayat of Khasab, launched in 2012, is scheduled for completion by the end of next month (March).

The resort, built to meet Leed certification requirements, will provide quality, affordable accommodation for visitors to one of the most beautiful parts of Oman. Based on a rustic traditional Omani design concept, the hotel will feature retail facilities, an all-day restaurant, lounge, fitness centre, kid’s club, two swimming pools and a dive centre.

Fort Hotel

Designs for the five-star Fort Hotel in Muscat, completed last year, are now awaiting approvals from the relevant authorities.

Planned to take shape at Bausher Heights, the hotel will include 122 suites, high-end restaurants, a lobby lounge, fitness centre, swimming pool, ballroom and a business centre.

“Its elevated location will offer exceptional views over the city and the Sea of Oman, while its design will reflect traditional Omani Fort architecture and will blend age-old charm with modern expectations of a five-star luxury destination,” the spokesman comments.

W hotel

Tenders have been invited by Omran for the construction of a W hotel, which will be located in Muscat’s Shatti Al Qurum district, adjacent to the Royal Opera House and on the site of InterContinental Hotel Muscat.

The Quriyat-Sur Rest Area ... the first of its kind in Oman.

In 2013, architectural firm Cowi and Partners completed an extensive redesign of the hotel.

The W Resort Hotel will be operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts and will feature 287 hotel rooms and suites, including 29 suites, four special suites and one royal villa. It will also include spa facilities, multiple dining venues, swimming pools and water features, a fitness centre, ballroom, meeting rooms, retail space and business centre covering a gross floor area of approximately 46,000 sq m on nine levels.

Construction of the W Resort Hotel is scheduled to begin in the second quarter this year, with a soft opening anticipated in late 2016 and a public opening in early 2017. Two leading interior design firms – P49 Design and Rockwell Group Europe – have been commissioned for the project. The landscape design will be implemented by LMS International.

Last year, the hotel designs received Leed Gold accreditation.

Quriyat-Sur Rest Area

Substructure works have commenced on the Quriyat-Sur Rest Area, the first planned integrated rest area to be built in Oman. It will include a filling station, mini-mart, food-court, prayer rooms, family entertainment zone, outdoor play area, parking spaces and a special food and beverage area for truck drivers.

The project will also feature an all-day dining facility, landscaped walking areas, car repair workshops and ambulance and fire services. Other facilities currently under study are a three-star motel.

Construction is expected to be completed by the year-end.

Salalah Seafood Restaurant

Designs are being finalised for the Salalah Seafood Restaurant, which will feature contemporary architectural design and reflect the indoor and outdoor Omani aesthetics and design elements.

“It will offer diners comfort, privacy and quality food and will include an indoor dining room and buffet for 60 diners, a 50-seat outdoor patio and a 30-seat rooftop tent facility,” says the Omran spokesman.

Tenders are expected to be issued shortly for the project.