Highlights of Oman

Overview

Traditional Arabic design meets contemporary chic at the Chedi Muscat. Sitting in prime position overlooking the Gulf of Oman, this sprawling property is an oasis of luxury in the country’s capital. Across 21 acres of lush lawns and bristling palms you’ll find 162 elegant Omani villas, each blessed with plush beds, unique artworks and views of the surrounding greenery to be enjoyed from your private patio. 

Dining here is a real treat, with six distinctive restaurants to choose from, each in its own refined setting from poolside seating to a beachfront bistro, serving everything from traditional Middle Eastern platters to delicately flavoured Asian dishes and fresh Italian pastas. The Balinese spa offers treatments steeped in ancient traditions from Indonesia, Thailand, India and Tibet, and the three swimming pools are an idyllic place to cool off in the Omani heat. This award-winning property is an exceptional retreat by the ocean, with the sights and sounds of Muscat right on its doorstep.

Overview

Settings rarely get more spectacular than at Jumeirah Muscat Bay: a glittering Arabian Sea stretches out ahead of the property, which has 206 rooms each with their own view of the ocean, while the rugged Al Hajar mountains rise up behind the hotel, creating a sense of total privacy in this little corner of the Omani coastline. 

Your room, whether a private summerhouse with its own pool or a deluxe bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows for admiring that enchanting ocean, will provide a calm space for relaxation, while the property’s three pools are a refreshing place to get active. The highlight here, though, is the private beach: soft yellow sands lapped by the calm waters of the Arabian Sea are a tempting prospect. 

Savour the fruits of the ocean at the beachfront restaurant, Zuka, or spend cosy nights sipping cocktails in the intimate Anzo bar, where the views are just as good as the mixologists’ creations. Indulge in a hammam treatment at the Talise Spa, or play a game of tennis on the outdoor courts. 

Overview

Tucked up against the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains and fringed by an azure ocean, Al Bustan Palace enjoys a spectacular location on the Muscat Bay coast. This 250-bedroom hotel sits within a haven of swishing palms and verdant lawns, characterised by a unique blend of Art Deco features and local Arabic design. 

Regal bedrooms feature Omani artworks and sublime views of the surrounding seas and greenery, while beyond the main hotel building lies a private beach. Spend afternoons languishing on loungers, or get out onto the ocean with a choice of thrilling watersports activities. For something more sedate, book into the beachfront spa, which embraces Arabic rituals and tradition to help you truly relax with the sounds of the ocean as your guide. 

Local and global influence make dining here an exciting experience: unique afternoon teas can be had beneath a 38-metre-high atrium, breakfast buffets are a feast by the beach, and local seafood is the star at the premium Pavilion restaurant. Even the youngest travellers are well served, with personalised fun and experiences available for families, too.

Overview

Two hours from the capital but a world away from the buzz of the city, Desert Nights Camp promises evenings of seclusion and starry skies. Set amid the rusty orange dunes of the Omani desert, it comprises 55 bedrooms set across 10 acres of sand. Despite the remote location, each room has its own en-suite bathroom, while some come equipped with private terraces and their own plunge pools for cooling off in the desert heat. 

Days can be spent adventuring on the dunes in a 4×4 or on a sandboard, or you can explore the local souqs in nearby villages and see the shimmering waters of Wadi Bani Khalid. Evenings, though, bring the real excitement with sunset camel rides and endless dark skies that shimmer with millions of stars, while Omani shuwa (barbecued lamb) is served in the onsite restaurant.

Overview

With sand dunes of up to ten metres high, Wahiba Sands is a spectacular, undulating landscape. The dunes shift and move almost constantly thanks to the wind, as does their colour, changing from soft yellow and beige throughout the daytime to a rich, ochre-red come sundown. There are no roads through this desert, which sits south of Muscat, so getting here is all part of the adventure. 

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be greeted with traditional Arabic hospitality, with sweet tea and dates on offer within this small village of Bedouin-style tents that will become your home for the night. Expect plush mattresses and soft, white linens as good as any fixed hotel, and bathroom tents with soft towels and luxury products to wash the sand from between your toes. 

Evenings are magical here: the light from oil lamps flicker as you eat a traditional Omani dinner, and the stars in the sky twinkle in their millions, offering up views into other worlds.

Overview

This cliff-top resort is a haven like no other: inspired by the ancient fortresses that once protected these mountains, using traditional wooden rafters and doors and Arabic motifs, it blends historic architecture with modern luxury. Set 2,000 metres above the sea, breathtaking views abound from its 78 bedrooms and suites, each of which are accented with traditional Omani art and crafts.

Connection with the surrounding land and community is at the heart of this property, with rainwater collection for watering its lush kitchen gardens, to a sophisticated filtration system for drinking water, eliminating the need for single-use plastic. Here, you can engage with local customs and culture, exploring local villages or getting your thrills while trying the mountains’ adventure sports. 

Arabic-inspired cuisine is on the menu here, with fresh, seasonal and local produce at the heart of every meal, and you can opt to indulge under the stars or above the cliffs with various private dining options. 

Overview

Set atop the limestone Jabal Akhdar and overlooking a vast, rocky canyon in the Hajar Mountains, this resort has some of the finest views in all of Oman. Every one of its 115 bedrooms looks out over the chasms below, with balconies made for lounging to soak up the mountain scenery. Bathrooms offer your own private spa, with bathtubs surrounded by marble, rainfall showers and double sinks, but for a really relaxing experience make use of the hammam suite and locally-made rose water products in the wellness centre. 

There’s all-day dining that makes the most of the mountain views, a courtyard cafe, a cosy shisha bar and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant right on the cusp of the canyon. But for a truly special experience, there are tailor-made private dining experiences for every occasion. Sustainability is key here, as the property blends in naturally with its rocky surroundings, and they prioritise thoughtful policies around sourcing and single-use plastics, meaning your experience has the lowest impact possible.