Living
Shatti Al Qurum
Shati is home to the embassies and their staff, and is a highly desirable area near the beach and official offices.
Best Points
The area is close to a beautiful beach and a wide range of leisure options.
Worst Points
The beach gets busy, especially during low tide. Lifeguards are not always on hand and retreating tides can be strong.
Accommodation
Unfortunately, living in Shati Al Qurm is simply out of most people’s reach. The area is characterised by huge, sprawling villas with stained glass windows and surrounded by mature trees and rows of private parking spaces for the numerous cars that residents possess. There is also an apartment block above Bareeq Al Shatti mall but, again, it is certainly on the pricey side.
Shopping & Amenities
There is plenty here: the Al Sarooj Plaza houses a big Al Fair and a selection of smaller shops. Next to the centre there is a Shell petrol station with a large 24 hour convenience store. Bareeq Al Shatti mall is a great spot for a coffee while Jawharat A’Shati is a handy shopping complex with restaurants, a post office, some souvenir shops, a WH Smith store, a party balloon outlet, a card shop and a nail bar for that all-important manicure.
Entertainment & Leisure
City Cinema, Shatti Al Qurum is always popular at weekends – it shows all the current Hollywood releases, although censors do remove any scenes that contravene Islamic sensibilities. The Al Deyar restaurant has a collection of outside tables and offers shisha and snacks late into the night. Another place to visit is Café Barberra, next to the cinema, which is good for a quick, tasty bite. Future Gym is next door and is well equipped for both men and women.
There is also ten pin bowling in nearby Al Masa Mall, and Ayana Spa is the place to head for for massages and beauty therapies.
The beach is a stone’s throw away and popular for football, walking and jogging. Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Darcy’s Kitchen all have outdoor seating areas that are great for watching the world go by.
The InterContinental Muscat has an excellent choice of restaurants and bars, as well as one of the best health clubs in the city.
Healthcare
Muscat Eye Laser Center is nearby, as are Precision Dental Clinic and The American Dental Centre. VLCC (24 695 157) offers dietary and skincare consultancy and treatments. If it’s cosmetic surgery you’re after, Emirates Medical Center is located in Al Sarooj Plaza.
Education
Al Zumurrud Montessori Kindergarten (9228 5849) is located in a bright, modern villa in Shati Al Qurm, just past the Grand Hyatt. The kindergarten has a high staff-to-child ratio.
Traffic & Parking
There are many places for parking near the shops and cinema and also near the hospital. Traffic is not a problem but you may wait a while at roundabouts during rush hour.
Safety & Annoyances
Bad car parking can result in scratched paintwork and there are lots of local youths cruising in their cars which can be intimidating.
Best Points
The area is close to a beautiful beach and a wide range of leisure options.
Worst Points
The beach gets busy, especially during low tide. Lifeguards are not always on hand and retreating tides can be strong.
Accommodation
Unfortunately, living in Shati Al Qurm is simply out of most people’s reach. The area is characterised by huge, sprawling villas with stained glass windows and surrounded by mature trees and rows of private parking spaces for the numerous cars that residents possess. There is also an apartment block above Bareeq Al Shatti mall but, again, it is certainly on the pricey side.
Shopping & Amenities
There is plenty here: the Al Sarooj Plaza houses a big Al Fair and a selection of smaller shops. Next to the centre there is a Shell petrol station with a large 24 hour convenience store. Bareeq Al Shatti mall is a great spot for a coffee while Jawharat A’Shati is a handy shopping complex with restaurants, a post office, some souvenir shops, a WH Smith store, a party balloon outlet, a card shop and a nail bar for that all-important manicure.
Entertainment & Leisure
City Cinema, Shatti Al Qurum is always popular at weekends – it shows all the current Hollywood releases, although censors do remove any scenes that contravene Islamic sensibilities. The Al Deyar restaurant has a collection of outside tables and offers shisha and snacks late into the night. Another place to visit is Café Barberra, next to the cinema, which is good for a quick, tasty bite. Future Gym is next door and is well equipped for both men and women.
There is also ten pin bowling in nearby Al Masa Mall, and Ayana Spa is the place to head for for massages and beauty therapies.
The beach is a stone’s throw away and popular for football, walking and jogging. Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Darcy’s Kitchen all have outdoor seating areas that are great for watching the world go by.
The InterContinental Muscat has an excellent choice of restaurants and bars, as well as one of the best health clubs in the city.
Healthcare
Muscat Eye Laser Center is nearby, as are Precision Dental Clinic and The American Dental Centre. VLCC (24 695 157) offers dietary and skincare consultancy and treatments. If it’s cosmetic surgery you’re after, Emirates Medical Center is located in Al Sarooj Plaza.
Education
Al Zumurrud Montessori Kindergarten (9228 5849) is located in a bright, modern villa in Shati Al Qurm, just past the Grand Hyatt. The kindergarten has a high staff-to-child ratio.
Traffic & Parking
There are many places for parking near the shops and cinema and also near the hospital. Traffic is not a problem but you may wait a while at roundabouts during rush hour.
Safety & Annoyances
Bad car parking can result in scratched paintwork and there are lots of local youths cruising in their cars which can be intimidating.
