OmanMagazine had the pleasure of sitting down for an exclusive one-on-one with David Faull, General Manager of the stunning Barcelo Mussanah Resort. In this candid conversation, we explore the evolving landscape of luxury tourism in Oman, uncover David’s expert insights on the nation’s hospitality trends, and discover his personal favorite spots within the resort that every guest should experience. From breathtaking views to exceptional service, David shares what makes Barcelo Mussanah a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable escape.
Barceló Mussanah is located in one of Oman’s most picturesque regions. How does the resort embrace and highlight the natural beauty of the Mussanah?
Stepping into the resort and walking into reception you are immediately struck by the marina through the glass and pulled through wanting to explore more. The same can be said from almost all the rooms in the hotel and Residence. The sea just overwhelms you and has a real calming influence.
We have over 230,000 square meters of landscaped grounds with hundreds of date, coconut, Lemon, Lime and pomegranate trees. The resort is filled with birds and there is a real life about the place. We have three turtle families in the marina and everyone is keen to ensure they are happy and not worried. The Marina is teeming with life and we feed the little fish in the marina and create a safe environment for them to be nurtured and grow.
There are places when guests can steel themselves away and benches, chairs, beanbags and loungers placed around the resort so you can enjoy the nature and environment. Just watching the fish jump in the marina is entertainment enough if you have a good book and the gentle breeze whispering to you from the sea.
We organize bi-monthly beach cleans and are working very hard to make our footprint in the world as small as possible as we cherish the environment we share and believe we have a duty to leave things just as beautiful as we have found them, which I guess we will talk more about later.
We are only 45 minutes from Muscat, however the pace of life in Mussanah is slower and more considered. There is much more of a village feel here and the people are warm and friendly.
What distinguishes Barceló Mussanah from other luxury resorts in Oman, and what signature experiences does it offer to guests?
We have been hugely honoured to have won many awards this year and I would believe that this is a result of the amazing team we have built around us. Many of whom have worked for me in my previous properties or who are from the local area and have an abundance of local knowledge. We also offer so much more than your usual hotels. We have Camels, a Zipline, four swimming pools, a water park, two parks with swings and slides, a crazy gold course, two table tennis tables, two pool tables, darts, badminton, yoga, paddle boards, kayaks, jets skis, Banana and donuts, speedboat, diving, snorkelling, fishing, Movie in the pool, Kids club, Kids buffet, three restaurants, three bars, a coffee shop and outside coffee shop, Animation team and entertainment, weekly Omani band performance for all arrivals, our own guests relations team for hotel excursions to the bull fighting and local forts and places of interest, our own resort train that runs 8 times a day. We have so much more than this but I think you get the idea. My mantra is we don’t sell rooms we are in the memory making business and this year we have seen our scores for guest satisfaction grow more than ever. This is what we have an apatite to delight and make the guests feel that the value for money is there and that there is indeed something for everyone.
Sustainability is a growing focus in the hospitality industry. How does Barceló Mussanah integrate sustainable practices into its operations?
I am super passionate about this and really want our legacy to be one where we leave this site better than we find it. To that end I have bought a food digester that turns our food waste into fertilizer for our landscapers. This removes our food waste from landfill and feeds and provided nutrients for our landscaping. We have also purchased water filters with water fountains by the main pool and waterpark to allow access to fresh drinking water without plastics. We have printed and designed water bottles for sale at 2 OMR so everyone can play their part and we cover the costs. This is coupled with a recycling policy with Tanuf for our plastic bottles. We have removed plastic bags and replaced with Bio bags and even our waste oil is reused as bio fuel. Next year we hope to install solar panels to reduce the reliance on the electricity companies that use gas to provide power, so we continue to push and strive to make improvements.
We are looking at all details to remove any plastics remaining and have signed up to green finns and WTTC as part of our ongoing commitment to striving for excellence. We also clean the public beaches for the local community and pay particular attention to plastics and fishing nets to protect the wildlife in the area as well as making the beaches safe and pleasant.
Mussanah is a hidden gem in Oman’s tourism portfolio. What role do you see Barceló Mussanah playing in putting this region on the map for global travelers?
This will be the home of the Sports City and for sure we will be well and truly on the map both in the country and globally. The opportunities are enormous and I truly believe this will supercharge all sporting activities in oman and propel them on the world stage. Oman build really beautiful buildings and I believe the new stadium will be magnificent and that it will add tremendous value to the community and country. I am so excited to see the project start and evolve. It will be something everyone in the country will be so proud of and it will be attached to the hotel, cementing the Barcelo Mussanah Resort into every living person in omans mind. Also we know there will be improvements in road links and possibly even trains.
With the rise of experiential and adventure tourism, how is Barceló Mussanah positioning itself to appeal to this niche?
We are always on the search for something new and exciting for our guests. We found bull fighting a traditional pursuit in the area and one that most Omani’s do not know about. Our feedback from the guests has been very positive and the costs are very low, so it means everyone can go if they want to and its unique. We have many such activities and our guests really love these unique opportunities to experience local culture. We also welcome our guests with a traditional band and the interaction is amazing each week and the guests really love it.
We are pretty unique on our own, with a magnificent beach, our own Marina, Dive centre and so many facilities. Every time I arrive at this resort I almost pinch myself…. I am the luckiest GM in Oman for sure. We still have some way to go and some money to spend but we are well on our way.
How does the resort collaborate with local communities to enhance the guest experience while supporting the local economy?
I already mentioned the Omani band, but we work with the local ministries and Wallis as well as focussing on the in country value. Our priority is to support local SME’s and grow our purchases year on year by 3%. We also have a Friday market here at the resort and invite 30 local SME to attend. We are still growing, but its already a huge success.
We are partnered with Oman Sail and we often work on partnerships and sponsorships. We are also looking to hosts our own sporting events and hope to announce some exciting events coming to Mussanah very soon!
What inspired you to join Barceló Mussanah, and what has been the most rewarding aspect of your role so far?
I love this hotel and have stayed here three times before joining. Its also completely different to the usual big corporate hotels I have opened and worked in prior. The challenges are different, but the goal remains the same. To make the hotel the very best it can be and develop the team to embrace it as more than a job but a career and to leave it better than I found it. Barcelo are an amazing company and I have never worked for such a warm and welcoming company. They are so supportive and respectful and I can honestly say they are without a doubt the best company I have worked for. Maybe its just my region, but my colleagues and peers are also pretty amazing. I really feel at home.
Do you have a personal favorite spot or experience at the resort that you’d recommend to guests?
I love to sit on my balcony just looking at the sea. Its mesmerizing. The gentle breeze (even in summer) just adds life and a real appreciation for our surroundings. I feel blessed to be back in Oman and I am seriously looking to settle here and already started the process of buying a home here. Every area in oman is different and beautify for different reasons. That’s in itself the beauty; there is so much to see and do and all of it leaves you in wonder.
Many things make me happy the sound of children running and playing and laughter. The gentle hum of people in the evening as they stroll around the resort in the evening. The smell of the BBQ in the evening air from our restaurants or even just the sound of the waves gentle lapping the short. Im not sure ill tire of things I appreciate about being here in Mussanah any time soon.
To discover more about this unique property and book your adventurous, yet oh-so-relaxing staycation for the entire family, visit here.
