Ramzi
09-02-08, 10:09 PM
MUSCAT -- Plans for a luxurious boutique spa hotel in the Bausher area of Muscat Governorate have been firmed up with the appointment of a panel of international advisers to provide a range of consultancy services linked to the development of the project. The five-star property is being established by Omran (Oman Tourism Development Company), a wholly government owned company, which is also involved in the development of a host of major tourism-related ventures around the Sultanate. Fort Hotel -- as the proposed boutique spa property is known -- will be styled on the lines of a historical fort located in the Bausher area.
It will incorporate 120 suites, six spa suites, and restaurants. Provision will be made for dining, cultural and retail enclaves in the future expansion of the property. Set on some 3.7 square kilometres in mountainous terrain in the Bausher hills, the property is being conceived as a mountain retreat offering splendid views of the city with the Gulf of Oman in the distance. The hotel will be designed to reflect traditional Omani fort architecture that combines old world charms with all amenities of a five-star spa destination.
The centrepiece of the property is a spacious spa set on around 700 sq metres and equipped for a range of treatment therapies, as well as an infinity pool. A multipurpose banquet and meeting hall with an expected capacity of 500 seats, is also planned complete with all necessary facilities to host local and regional events including traditional Omani weddings. Also envisaged is a standalone destination that will house shops, restaurants, outdoor amphitheatre designed for 100 guests, museum gallery, promenade and outdoor dining. Provision is also made for the construction of around 18 luxury villas as part of the future expansion of the property.
As a first step in the establishment of the hotel, the Tender Board recently named a number of international consultants to advise Omran on its development. Barker Barton and Lawson, a subsidiary of Currie and Brown, has been selected to provide quantity surveying services for the project. Switzerland-headquartered Maya Overseas SA will serve as architects and lead design consultants for the venture. Beca International Ltd, a multi-disciplinary consultancy with headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand, has been named the Project Manager. Significantly, the Fort Hotel adds to a rapidly growing portfolio of luxury tourist developments being promoted by Omran, either independently or in partnership with regional and international investors.
The state-owned company is currently a key player in the development of more than 10 resort-style projects with a total project value in excess of $5 billion. These include lavish leisure resorts, luxury hotel properties, convention facilities, and golf courses. The line-up of prestigious developments includes the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre at Airport Heights, which aims to launch the Sultanate into the promising Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) market.
In addition to a 6,000-seat convention centre, the facility will also feature a 50,000 sq m exhibition/multi-user sports centre suitable for major sports events. Also envisaged are hotels, serviced apartments, business-park, and major retail facility. Other Omran ventures include the Salam Yiti integrated tourism resort in joint venture with Dubai Holding, the Ras al Hadd Eco Tourism Resort in partnership with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company; and Saraya Bandar Jissah integrated tourism scheme in joint venture with Saraya.
http://www.omanobserver.com/Daily/Head/Head3.htm
It will incorporate 120 suites, six spa suites, and restaurants. Provision will be made for dining, cultural and retail enclaves in the future expansion of the property. Set on some 3.7 square kilometres in mountainous terrain in the Bausher hills, the property is being conceived as a mountain retreat offering splendid views of the city with the Gulf of Oman in the distance. The hotel will be designed to reflect traditional Omani fort architecture that combines old world charms with all amenities of a five-star spa destination.
The centrepiece of the property is a spacious spa set on around 700 sq metres and equipped for a range of treatment therapies, as well as an infinity pool. A multipurpose banquet and meeting hall with an expected capacity of 500 seats, is also planned complete with all necessary facilities to host local and regional events including traditional Omani weddings. Also envisaged is a standalone destination that will house shops, restaurants, outdoor amphitheatre designed for 100 guests, museum gallery, promenade and outdoor dining. Provision is also made for the construction of around 18 luxury villas as part of the future expansion of the property.
As a first step in the establishment of the hotel, the Tender Board recently named a number of international consultants to advise Omran on its development. Barker Barton and Lawson, a subsidiary of Currie and Brown, has been selected to provide quantity surveying services for the project. Switzerland-headquartered Maya Overseas SA will serve as architects and lead design consultants for the venture. Beca International Ltd, a multi-disciplinary consultancy with headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand, has been named the Project Manager. Significantly, the Fort Hotel adds to a rapidly growing portfolio of luxury tourist developments being promoted by Omran, either independently or in partnership with regional and international investors.
The state-owned company is currently a key player in the development of more than 10 resort-style projects with a total project value in excess of $5 billion. These include lavish leisure resorts, luxury hotel properties, convention facilities, and golf courses. The line-up of prestigious developments includes the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre at Airport Heights, which aims to launch the Sultanate into the promising Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) market.
In addition to a 6,000-seat convention centre, the facility will also feature a 50,000 sq m exhibition/multi-user sports centre suitable for major sports events. Also envisaged are hotels, serviced apartments, business-park, and major retail facility. Other Omran ventures include the Salam Yiti integrated tourism resort in joint venture with Dubai Holding, the Ras al Hadd Eco Tourism Resort in partnership with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company; and Saraya Bandar Jissah integrated tourism scheme in joint venture with Saraya.
http://www.omanobserver.com/Daily/Head/Head3.htm