10 Best Hotels in Muscat, Oman

Name: Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel
Address: Quron Beach, Masqat, Oman
Telephone: 2479–9666
Price range: $$$$

Hotels in Muscat range from the uber-opulent luxury properties, all of which feature their own private beaches and outstanding restaurants, to basic international chains and humble apartment hotels. There are clean, convenient options at every price point. It is good to note that hotels are the only places, aside from three stand-alone exceptions, where one can drink alcohol in Oman, and not every hotel has a liquor license, so if this is important to you, it is good to check the availability of a bar prior to booking.

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel

$$$$ | Quron Beach, Oman Fodor's Choice

A 20-minute cab ride from downtown Muscat, 40 minutes from the airport, this opulent five-star palace hotel shimmers like an oasis between craggy mountains and turquoise sea, offering every extravagance you'd expect from a Ritz Carlton establishment. It is also a true beach getaway, with long stretch of private white-sand beach and five palm-lined pools set among acres of manicured gardens. Rooms are elegantly designed and include such amenities as palatial bathrooms and private terraces. Of the three view options—garden, mountain, or sea—the breathtaking sea views (especially from the fifth floor on up) are well worth the slightly higher price.

Crowne Plaza Muscat

$$ | Al Qurum St., Muscat, Oman

Built to look like a cruise ship, the iconic Crowne Plaza sits high on a hill in the posh neighborhood of Qurum Heights, overlooking the sea and the twinkling lights of the city below. Though it is one of the older hotels in Muscat, the rooms were renovated in 2014 and are clean and modern with nice touches like universal outlets on the bedside tables and gorgeous walk-in rain showers in the bathrooms. Sea-view rooms are well worth the slightly higher price, as without the view the rooms might be a bit bland. The grounds feature tennis courts and swimming pools overlooking the sea, and a long staircase leads down to a very private beach. The casual pool and seaside restaurant-bar have consistently good sandwiches and salads, and the property's Persian restaurant, Shiraz, is excellent. The hotel is also home to the most popular English-stye pub in the city, which hosts Tuesday night quiz competitions that draw a lively group of expats and locals.

Grand Hyatt Muscat

$$$ | Shati St., Muscat, Oman

With soaring ceilings, gilded columns, and giant stained-glass windows, this Arabian-style luxury hotel sets a particularly opulent tone in the grand lobby. Rooms are quite spare by comparison, with a rather neutral palate and just a few Arabesque flourishes, including rounded windows, tasteful stained-glass accents, and marquetry on some of the furnishings. During the winter, a rooftop restaurant with great views of the sea is open on the weekends, while the rest of the year there are several indoor dining options, including a fine italian restaurant and an international buffet, as well as three lively bars. The property is a popular and especially convenient location for those visiting to meet with government officials, as it is in the ministries district and close to all the embassies.

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Hormuz Grand

$$ | Al Matar St., Muscat, Oman

One of the newest properties to open in Muscat, the Hormuz Grand is the first luxury property in Seeb, just across the expressway from the airport. While the hotel's exterior may seem plain, the grounds are beautifully manicured and the rooms sleek and modern, including fun touches like a PlayStation and high-end toiletries. The hotel has a fine but extremely expensive Indian restaurant in addition to a pool lounge and all-day international restaurant. On-site are also an elegant spa and a pool surrounded by comfortable, pillow-covered lounge chairs. The property expects to get a liquor license by 2016.

InterContinental Muscat

$$ | 2817 Way, Muscat, Oman

Built in 1977, the InterContinental is one of the oldest properties in Muscat, and though the service still shines, the property is a bit dated. The grounds are lovely, with tennis courts, gardens, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and direct beach access, and some of the restaurants and bars are big draws for locals as well as visitors. The location is the hotel's best feature: it's within walking distance to the Opera House, the cafés and shops of Shatti Road and Bareeq al Shatti, and much of the local nightlife. Renovations in 2016 should give the property a much-needed face-lift, but despite the dated decor, the hotel continues to be a favorite among business travelers and tourists looking for a resort experience at a reasonable rate.

Pioneer Hotel Apartments

$$ | Nuzhah St., Muscat, 114, Oman Fodor's Choice

In a residential neighborhood, the hotel may seem a bit out of the way, but it is a mere 10 minutes from the beaches at Al Bustan and the main tourist attractions of the Mutrah Souk and Old Muscat, and it's an ideal home base for those traveling with family or planning a longer stay. Luxurious, apartment-style accommodations are well-designed, with brand-new furnishings, separates, and lovely views of the mountains. Service, from check-in to check-out is impeccable, which is no surprise as the Omani owners are on-site daily to keep an eye on things and to get to know their guests; they are happy to assist and are a wealth of information offering insights about the local area that no other hotel concierges offer. The rooftop pool is a beautiful, tranquil place to spend the afternoon, and the restaurant provides service there throughout the day. The room service and restaurant are quite good and extremely affordable. The hotel does not have an alcohol license, but there are bars nearby.

Qurum Beach Hotel

$$ | Al Qurm St., Muscat, Oman

The no-frills Qurum Beach Hotel looks like a kitschy California motel from the 1960s, and though it's a bit run-down, the large apartments are clean and acceptable for those on a budget who want to be close to the nightlife in the surrounding hotels, the cafés of Shatti Street, and the public beach. The location in the heart of the hotel district in Qurum, just steps away from the beachfront Corniche at Shatti Road, is indeed ideal. Don't expect much service beyond a basic complimentary breakfast of toast and Nescafé and room service that is good for little more than ice or beer. But the hotel's five sprawling, three-bedroom apartments are a fantastic option for larger families or groups. Each has two master bedrooms and one twin room, all with their own bathrooms, as well as a spacious living area, separate dining area, and either kitchen or kitchenette (depending on the room).

Ruwi Hotel

$ | Al Farahidi St., Muscat, Oman

This solid, well-run hotel is one of the best mid-range hotels in the city and convenient to Muscat's central business district, streets lined with lively South Asian shops, inexpensive eateries, and freeway access. The rooms are clean, modern and comfortable, and room service, while not bringing up any award-winning food, is good and fast. The hotel has a pool and fitness center, laundry service, free Wi-Fi, and early check-in starting at noon. It's a fantastic option for business travelers on a short visit, as it provides easy access to both the banking and media-heavy areas of Ruwi, and is a roughly 10-minute drive to government ministries and businesses in Al Khuwair.

Shangri-La Al Husn Hotel

$$$$ | Al Jissah St., Oman Fodor's Choice

Tucked between the sea and the rocky cliffs of Qantab, about 45 minutes from the airport, this sprawling resort actually has three hotels, the family-friendly Al Waha, the central-to-the-action Al Bandar, and the exclusive, romantic Al Husn, which is the standout. Chic, arabesque design touches—towering ceilings, curved doorways and windows—and the sweet smell of frankincense wafting throughout the halls give it the exotic feel you're looking for. Dramatic views of the mountainside beach are available from every spacious room, each of which has a balcony, where you can have your included breakfast. There are other extras, including a complimentary minibar, daily hosted afternoon tea, and pre-dinner cocktail hour. The Al Husn has its own adults-only private beach and infinity pool, which ensures quiet tranquillity, though the amenities of the other properties are only steps away, including 17 dining outlets and bars, kayaking and scuba diving lessons, a world-class spa, and a heritage village offering locally made, Omani handicrafts. The property has a complimentary shuttle bus to take guests into the historic Mutrah and old Muscat neighborhoods to experience some local culture. The main draw for this property is the complete escape it can offer, as guests can luxuriate in beautiful surroundings and choose to have as much or as little contact with the outside world, or even with the very well-trained staff, as they like.

The Chedi Muscat

$$$$ | 18th November St., Muscat, Oman Fodor's Choice

Though just a quick cab ride from the airport or the nightlife in Qurm, this luxe hotel—the most sophisticated of all the upscale properties in Muscat—may have a convenient location, but the beachfront compound feels like a remote oasis. The design combines traditional Omani architecture with a contemporary Asian feel: rooms have white walls, dark-wood flooring, and touches of deep red or umber; rooms have huge windows overlooking the spectacularly manicured grounds, which are dotted bubbling fountains and ponds. The spacious bathrooms have rain showers, deep sunken tubs, and a selection of luxury grooming products. Thoughtful touches include complimentary drinks, with deluxe rooms offering free water, wine, and beer (suites have a full complimentary bar), and an excellent daily breakfast, which can be taken in the restaurant or in your room. The spa is considered one of the best in Oman, and the entire property mimics its soothing vibe, from the winding, softly lit walking paths to the high-end fitness center with cutting-edge classes, to the infinity pools. The hotel's six restaurants, especially The Restaurant and The Beach Restaurant, are dining destinations for local as well as guests. The wine cellar is the largest in Oman, and cocktails and mocktails are outstanding, if expensive.

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