20 Best Hotels in Oman

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

Muscat has a variety of world-class luxury accommodations as well as mid-range local and international chains. Other popular tourist destinations, including the mountains of Jabal Akhdar and the southern city of Salalah, also have a few high-end options. Reasonably priced hotels that are low- or no-frills (but still clean and comfortable) are available throughout the country. In the deserts of Sharqiyah, guests can find a range of camping options as well, from the luxurious to the rustic. Camping with your own tent and gear is allowed anywhere in the country and is a popular option for ecotourists who venture away from the cities into the deserts, mountains, and remote beaches.

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.

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.

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.

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Resort Sur Beach Holiday

$$ | Way 411, Oman Fodor's Choice

On the far end of the New Corniche, this is the best lodging option in Sur, offering direct beach and corniche access, complimentary breakfast, and the most popular bar in town. There are a few great little restaurants and cafés across the street from the hotel, and the main attractions of Old Sur are mere minutes away by car. Don't expect much of the rooms themselves: they are clean and comfortable, despite being outdated and bland decor-wise.

Alila Jabal Akhdar

$$$$ | Rte. 21, Oman

This all-suites luxury hotel on a remote cliff high in the Jabal Akhdar Range about 90 minutes from Nizwa takes full advantage of its stunning surroundings. Each room has a view, and both the infinity pool and the restaurant overlook a spectacular canyon. The property has been designed to blend organically with the natural surroundings, using stone from the mountain itself in the construction. This lends a fabulous effect, as the property is almost camouflaged from a distance. Traditional Omani handicrafts decorate the rooms and common spaces, and local ingredients, including rose water, are put to use in the spa. The on-site restaurant is pricey, as is their new bar, but the views more than make up for it.

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.

Crowne Plaza Resort

$$ | Al Khandaq St., Salalah, Oman

Though it's not exactly an architectural marvel, this serviceable hotel 10 minutes from the airport and city center, is more than just a convenient stopover. Pretty gardens, a golf range, and a large pool overlooking a wide expanse of beautiful beach and comforable, attractive common areas largely redeem what the building lacks in elegance. Rooms are pleasant, bright, and modern, some with terraces and direct garden access, and suites are large with rug-strewn marble floors, large sitting areas and traditonal interiors. There are dining options indoors and out, with a good range of international cuisine.

Golden Tulip Nizwa

$$ | Hai a Thurat 611, Oman

Though the rooms could use updating, the Golden Tulip Hotel is the best place to stay in Nizwa. It has a beautiful swimming pool, restaurant, café, sheesha lounge, and three bars with common spaces decorated beautifully with traditional Omani handicrafts. The front desk can arrange tours of the surrounding area, and staff are very knowledgeable about the local sights. It's also in a convenient location, about a five-minute drive from the main Nizwa square, where the souq and fort are located.

The bars in the Golden Tulip are the only places to drink alcohol in Nizwa.

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.

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.

Jabal Akhdar Hotel

$ | Way 621, Oman

An hour from Nizwa, this hotel is the most inexpensive of the limited options on the mountain itself, offering clean and perfectly adequate, if uninspiring, rooms. What this property lacks in interior design, however, it makes up for with its location and breathtaking views of the stepped, cliffside farms of Jabal Akhdar. The included breakfast is nothing special, but given the lack of dining options in the area, it is best to take advantage of it. The property can only be reached with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The hotel doesn't have a website for online bookings, but it's listed on Booking.com.

Jebel Shams Resort

$$ | Way 617, Oman

This three-star hotel in Jebal Shams, about 90 minutes from Nizwa, caters to the outdoorsy set who visit the mountain to hike and bike, offering fairly basic rooms that include breakfast and dinner. Great hiking and biking trails begin right on the property, and bikes are available to borrow. Accommodations options vary from tents to individual chalets with private fire pits to more traditional hotel rooms. You can opt out of the included meal packages, but there are no other dining options in the area unless you have packed in food yourself. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to access the property.

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.

Sahab Hotel

$$ | Rte. 21, Oman

Perched on the cliffs of Jabal Akhdar—and accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicle—Sahab offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains from many of the attractive, modern rooms and from the lovely pool. The food is average, but as there are no dining options in the vicinity, you should take advantage of the meal service. The property can arrange guided hikes, cave exploration, and other local activities. It's about an hour from Nizwa.

Salalah Marriott Resort

$$$ | Al Fath St., Mirbat, Oman

An hour east of the Salalah airport and city center, this sprawling resort functions best as a quiet, self-contained getaway spot, with the advantage of being near tourist destinations. The hotel's large central pool is the focal point, intended to make up for the lack of beach access—except for scuba diving, which can be easily arranged from the diver's lodge within the resort. Rooms are streamlined, contemporary and very clean, with private balconies and views of the pool or mountains. A spiffy spa and good dining choices within the hotel are a big plus.

Sur Plaza Hotel

$$ | Rte. 23, Oman

The centrally located hotel has clean, simple rooms with all the basic amenities, including free Wi-Fi and a lovely pool, beside which you can take your breakfast or lunch. There are also both alfresco and indoor bars. The food in the restaurant is passable, and the drink selection limited, but sufficient. The location, reasonable price, and reliability of the property make it an acceptable choice for a home base while you're exploring Sur and the surrounding region.

The View

$$$ | Rte. 21, Oman

This small eco-resort is far from rustic, with well appointed "pods" (private, modern chalets with private balconies) overlooking the valley. An infinity pool will allow you to soak while you watch the stars; fire pits offer a place to gather around as the night air gets chilly. The on-site restaurant is a destination in and of itself, thanks to the incredible views over Al Hamra and Nizwa that it offers. The property specializes in active, guided tours, so this is a great place to make your home base if you plan on spending most of your time exploring the great Omani outdoors. It's about an hour from Nizwa.

Wadi Shab Resort

$$ | Rte. 17, Oman

Halfway between Muscat and Sur (about 40 minutes from downtown Sur), the Wadi Shab Resort is set on the cliffs overlooking Tiwi beach and is popular with those who want to stay the night before or after exploring nearby Wadi Shab. There is a nice outdoor pool and a good restaurant that serves both local Omani delicacies and a basic, international menu. The rooms are quite basic for the price, but as the only hotel in the area, they can command these inflated prices. The stunning views make up for the lack of flair in the rooms themselves; every room has a sea view from the ideal mountaintop location.

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