Marriott International has signed an agreement with Alfardan Group to introduce the St. Regis brand to Oman. Expected to open in 2022, the 271-room St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort will be on a beachfront plot within Al Mouj Muscat, a lifestyle and leisure neighborhood.
The signing is a natural progression for the brand’s portfolio, said Alex Kyriakidis, president/managing director, Middle East & Africa for Marriott International. “We are thrilled to be working with Alfardan Group to bring this significant project to Oman.”
“Alfardan Group launched the first St. Regis hotel in the Middle East out of Doha nearly a decade ago,” noted Omar Hussain Alfardan, president/CEO, Alfardan Group. “Our portfolio has since considerably grown to include some of the largest high-profile hospitality and property developments in Qatar, Turkey and Oman. This year marks a milestone for our regional collaboration with this iconic global brand, with the deal for The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort in Oman, and the near completion of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island exclusive luxury destination in Qatar. The announcement of this project in Muscat comes at a time when Oman’s tourism and hospitality sectors are growing at [a] record pace, in line with the Sultanate’s national and international ambitions.”
Public spaces at the resort include an outdoor pool, spa, health facilities and leisure club as well as five speciality restaurants, including a St. Regis bar inspired by the original King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York. The property will also have a 1,100-square-meter ballroom for events. (For larger functions, the Muscat Convention Centre is a 10-minute drive away.) Guests will have access to the 18-hole Al Mouj golf course designed by Greg Norman and a 360-berth marina.
The project also includes 170 branded residences that will include a mix of apartments, penthouses and townhouses. The residences are slated for completion by 2022.