March 24, 2014
Muscat: Muscat is getting another five star hotel near the Muscat International airport. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's biggest hotel group, and Muscat Golf Course Project LLC - the first ITC (Integrated Tourism Complex) project announced in Oman, on Sunday said that the construction of the new five star InterContinental Hotel & Golf Clubhouse is scheduled to commence towards the end of 2014 with a completion date being at the end of 2016.
The opening of the hotel is expected to throw up 250 jobs, of which 150 would cater to the local Omanis. The InterContinental Hotel & Golf Clubhouse will be built on 50,000 square metres of the total built up area of land which is set in a unique hillside location with spectacular panoramic mountain and golf greens' views.
The new InterContinental Hotel & Golf Clubhouse will feature 270 superior, spacious, and well-appointed guest rooms, leisure facilities with two tennis courts and three outdoor swimming pools and spa facilities with 'hammam', gymnasium and treatment rooms, two full service speciality restaurants and one all-day dining restaurant, ballroom and fully equipped meeting facilities and enhanced business services.
The hotel will comprise a distinctive building, noticeably of an architectural character that takes advantage of, and harmonises with, the surrounding buildings and the Muscat Hills Golf Course Environment.
Mountains and sea Muscat Hills Golf Course is located between the mountains and the sea and comprises an 18-hole PGA-certified green golf course. Built in its own distinct corner of Muscat's rugged hills and etched by canyon-like wadis, the 18 holes boast tremendous views over the Al Hajar Mountains with the sea in the distance.
The exterior and interior of the hotel will enhance the guest experience and the building materials, finishes and furnishings will be of a superior quality with the landscaping used to beautify the surrounding grounds, leisure facilities and car parking.
Each guest room is a primary area and will provide a comfortable environment and experience, attractive in décor and will be of a style appropriate to its location and the market. The guest room layout and design will be important considerations in achieving guest satisfaction.
The hotel will be designed to be in accordance with all applicable international and local regulations and fire and life safety standards.
In April 2012, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Muscat Golf Course Project signed a 20-year management agreement for the luxury InterContinental Muscat Hills Golf Resort in Oman.
IHG manages a large number of hotels in Oman including InterContinental Muscat, Crowne Plaza Muscat, Crowne Plaza Sohar, Crowne Plaza Salalah, Crowne Plaza in Duqm and Holiday Inn in Muscat.
© Times of Oman 2014
