EJ Latitudes 1/08.qxd - Frontiers Elegant Journeys

One of Muscat’s top news items is the reopening of the legendary Al Bustan
Palace Hotel in November 2009. We did a hard-hat inspection tour in May and
could see the ambitious vision for the rebuild. Situated on 200 acres of beach
fronting the Gulf of Oman, this iconic property, owned by the Omani government,
has emerged from its multimillion dollar facelift and will be managed
under the Intercontinental flag. The 200 rooms and 50 suites reflect both local
traditions and art deco influences, exuding the richness of Arabian culture, art
and history. Nowhere is this better evidenced than the 125-foot domed lobby
with intricate crystal chandelier. Extensive work has also been done on the
grounds; there’s an all new pool area and a palatial spa will open in 2010.
There is no doubt that this is the address in Muscat!
Mollie Fitzgerald
The Museum of Islamic Art – Doha, Qatar
Located just 15 minutes from Doha
International Airport, the Museum of Islamic
Art is a “must see” when stopping in the
Gulf States. From across Doha Bay, the
museum looks as though it has simply risen
up out of the sea. In truth, however, it sits
boldly upon its very own man-made island
built solely for the purpose of preventing
further development to detract from its
design. As if that weren’t enough to cause
you to think you are about to see something
special, perhaps the fact that you
approach the museum flanked by a long
stretch of at least 100 sentinel-like palm
trees and 18 tall windowless archways
might do the trick. Of course, you could
always arrive by boat and be greeted at the
western dock by two 100-foot-tall lanterns.
The artist of this 376,740-square-foot
museum is none other than Pritzker Prizewinning
architect I.M. Pei, the Chinese-born
American architect known as the last master
of high modernist architecture. With
sharp edges and straight lines, Pei has
managed to make the most of natural light,
for as the sun rises and sets, shadows
slowly stretch and recede across the many
tiered surfaces, making the building seem
to come alive.
Although the exterior of the museum is considered
to be one of the most distinguished
modern buildings in the entire Middle East,
the interior is no less inspiring. From the
grand “upside-down” staircase upon entering
to the 164-foot-high atrium with a glass curtain
wall offering panoramic views of the
gulf, you will find yourself looking up, down,
out and around in architectural awe.
The galleries are designed by France’s Jean-
Michel Wilmotte and feature dark-grey
stone and Brazilian wood treated to appear
metallic. This is quite striking alongside the
light-colored limestone and granite of the
museum’s interior walls.
With all the beauty and talent that is portrayed
on its skin and skeleton, the heart of
the museum beats on two levels encircling
the atrium. Housing several thousand manuscripts,
textiles, ceramics and other works
from the 7th to the 19th centuries, these
exhibits of Figure, Calligraphy, Pattern and
Science have already been touted as one of
the most encyclopedic collections of Islamic
art . . . anywhere. With origins of these artifacts
ranging from Spain to Egypt, Iran, Iraq,
Turkey, India and Central Asia, the
museum’s purpose is to share the diversity
of the Islamic arts with the world. And with
over 30,000 visitors within just the first two
weeks of its grand opening, they are well
on their way to doing just that.
There is no charge for general admission;
however, there is a cost for the temporary
exhibits. Family and adult tours are available
during certain days of the week. If you
would like to experience a private tour,
Frontiers can make the arrangements on
your behalf. Please contact us if you would
like to know more about the Museum of
Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
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