Salalah, Oman’s second-largest city not very far from the Yemeni border, is quite different from the capital of Muscat. It is much quieter, relatively unspoilt by tourism and boasts some kind of micro-climate. And it is usually not the place you visit on your first visit to Oman as it is best reached by a domestic flight from Muscat. My husband and I did not make it here until our fourth stay in the Sultanate but were glad that we finally did it!

General

As I highlighted in my previous two posts about Oman – an overview and a report about the mountainous region of Jabal Akhdar –, this country owns a versatile landscape that one would not expect from a desert state. Of course, there are sandy areas but also fantastic beaches, beautiful coastlines and a magnificent green mountainscape.

Economy

The city of Salalah with a population of about 300,000 is located on the southern coast of Oman and is the capital of the Dhofar province. It is also the birthplace of the current sultan, Qaboos bin Said.

Thanks to the incense trade, fame and wealth were brought to Salalah in ancient times. Frankincense has been produced here for many centuries and it is still omnipresent,

although nowadays, it has lost most of its importance. This loss of significance went hand in hand with Salalah’s decline. In the past years, efforts were made to catch up with modern development by upgrading its industrial port. Efforts have also been made to promote tourism but the big boom has not arrived (yet).

Climate/Best time to go

While June to September here are popular for Middle Eastern tourists (when the temperatures are soaring in their countries), European and “normal beach vacation makers” will usually not appreciate these conditions. The perfect time for a visit for them is from October to April.

Due to the micro-climate in Salalah, fruits like coconuts and bananas as well as some vegetables can be grown here, what makes this city quite green also in dry periods and results in pretty color spots throughout the urban area.

Get in & get around

If you want to explore Salalah’s surroundings, a rental car is essential as there is very little public transport available. An extensive and ever-expanding network of modern roads is here at your disposal.

Activities

As mentioned, many Arabian tourists pay Salalah a visit in the khareef season from June to September. During this time, the khareef festival is also run to celebrate this spectacular season, featuring traditional performances alongside stalls selling Omani handicrafts and typical food.

From October to April, Westerners especially come here to make use of the beautiful white sandy beaches of Salalah.

While there is a focus on beach vacations, an increasing number of tourists also makes day trips in the immediate surroundings. Whereas the city of Salalah does not have abundant places of interest, there are several worthwhile things to do nearby, for nature lovers as well as for people interested in culture.

Before going into these activities, here my recommendation where to stay here as a discerning traveler.

The one and only place to stay for travelers seeking luxurious accommodation is Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, opened in 2016.

Maybe this luxury hotel will be joined in the time to come by another one as there is an ongoing development in work, in fact another Alila property (see here my post with my review of the other one in Oman – in Jabal Akhdar, in the mountains). I do not have information about the project progress. I read that it should have been opened already but this is apperently not the case. At least there is a corresponding sign on site.

As to the location, it is not exactly close to Salalah but in Mirbat, more than a one-hour drive from Oman’s second-largest city.

Now to the hotel where we had a great four-day stay!

The hotel is situated between the beautiful white beach and a lagoon at the city’s east end, bordering the Al Baleed archaeological site. The setting is great, near the city center yet secluded enough to be considered as peaceful beach destination. It can be reached in a 20-minute drive from Salalah Airport.

Out of the 136 rooms comprising of premier and deluxe rooms as well as one- resp. two-bedroom villas my husband and I opted for a one-bedroom beach villa

and friends who accompanied us for a one-bedroom lagoon villa. These accommodations come with personalized villa host services and separate living rooms.

And our rooms were heavenly! My husband and I stayed at the only beach villa without pool – the ones with pool would have been better of course but they seemed a little too expensive – and our friends were upgraded to a lagoon villa with pool

so that they could stay near to us! These accommodations are extremely spacious (176 sqm), with a generous bedroom,

a huge living room with a kitchenette,

a lovely bathroom

and a private garden with direct beach access (pool villa only),

all of them with locally inspired touches in the decoration and furnishing.

The public spaces also show a design influenced by Omani architecture and culture, be it the lobby

or the way buildings are built and laid out, with the local coastal fortresses in mind.

The swimming pool in combination with different decorative pools is a feast for the eyes.

And the beach is gorgeous, long and wide with white sand and lots of space.

There is a gym along with a spa and hammam, further activities include beach and water sports as well as tennis. And there is much to do for children and teenagers, with an outdoor play area and children’s pool as well as separate kids’ and teens’ clubs.

What struck me most here, was the strong service orientation. Throughout our stay we experienced a warm hospitality. As we stayed in the villas, we could make use of a private butler service, which was great. Toodtu, our butler did a terrific job, kudos to her! A highlight were the activities around the birthday, which two of our party celebrated. On three occasions throughout the day attention was paid to this special date.

A great range of eating options is on offer here, from the main restaurant Sakalan

providing all-day international dining with an Omani touch, to Al Mina

with a beachside Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner as well as Mekong

featuring a taste of southeast Asia (for dinner only.) While we tried out all three restaurants and considered them as good, I especially liked Mekong for its high quality food from Thailand, China and Vietnam.

What to do on a four-night stay

When spending four nights in Salalah, the first day, which is most probably only half a day due to the arrival, is – in my opinion – best spent to get to know the hotel’s offerings and at the exceptionally beautiful white beach, also as an enterprising traveler as I am.

Day 2: Salalah city tour

Before heading further, I think it is always a good thing to explore the area in your immediate neighborhood. When staying at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, this means Salalah’s most important attraction, Al Baleed Archaeological Park (an UNESCO World Heritage) and Museum of the Land of Frankincense, right next to the hotel.

Apart from the mentioned archaeological site, the city of Salalah does not have many sights. Notwithstanding that, a short city tour provides the much-needed sense of place. While Al Baleed Archaeological Park can be visited via free shuttle bus from Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, you need a car to explore the city.

Point of interests here are the following ones. Walk through the grounds of Al Hosn Palace, the palace of the Sultan of Oman. You cannot enter the premises, but it gives you an idea of its size.

Make a stroll through Haffa Souq right adjacent to the Al Hosn Palace, a traditional market where frankincense is sold amongst other things.

A short drive away you will find the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, which can be visited also by non-Muslims. We decided to skip this attraction as we had already gone to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat.

At the city’s east end – about a 15-minute drive from the mosque – there is one of Salalah’s most beautiful beaches, Ad Dahariz Beach, which is very popular among locals. You find here a (lighted) walkway, gazebos and an array of coconut trees.

Make a stop at one of the fruits stalls in the area to feast on locally grown coconuts, bananas or papayas.

Day 3: east of Salalah

You can expect here a mix of cultural and natural points of interest.

First stop on this tour is Taqah, a fishing village, with a small fort worthwhile visiting.

Next is Wadi Darbat, one of the region’s most scenic ones, a valley with minty streams and cascading waterfalls.

Camels are a common sight almost everywhere you go, most probably you will have to slow down more than once to let them pass the highway.

Not long after leaving Wadi Darbat, you come to Sumhurum (Khor Rohri), another archeological site (an UNESCO World Heritage). Here the remains of an ancient city situated at one of the most important frankincense ports in the antiquity can be found. While the site is less extensive than the one in Salalah, it is more thoroughly excavated and restored. A plus is the lovely natural setting between coast and hills, which contributes to the appeal of the place, a must-do activity!

A possibly last stop before returning to Salalah is the town of Mirbat, home to a castle and old merchant houses in need of renovation. A nice spot to contemplate here is the old harbor, a sandy cove dotted with boats.

This is the direction to go if you want to enjoy one of Oman’s most spectacular mountain roads, the Zig Zag Road to the plateau of Jabal Al Qamar (Moon Mountain). This trip is more about enjoying the wonderful mountain scenery than going from one sight to another.

First stop here is the tiny village of Mughsail, where a long pristine coastline catches your attention. In the rainy season (khareef) Arabian tourists come here in swarms for three natural blowholes, blasting jets of sea water in the air. Outside the monsoon they are less memorable and sometimes even cease to blow altogether.

After climbing up the mountain road there is a parking lot on the left side where you reach – after a few steps – a superb viewing-point. The most insanely beautiful hidden beach can be seen from here, supposedly called Fazayah Beach.

If you have enough time, why not walk down and have a swim here? But check out such an undertaking with the hotel’s concierge first as I have no idea how to proceed and how much time you need for this.

When driving in this mountain range, encounters with camels seeking to cross the road are for sure. Be prepared to stop when camels are around!

At an altitude of 1,000 m (3,281 ft) – and after the first military checkpoint, bring along your passport –, you have reached the highest point, marked by a radio mast. Enjoy the panorama when the weather permits it and either drive on towards Yemen or return to Salalah.

Overall

Salalah might be not the first place to go if you think about traveling Oman as it is preferably reached by a domestic flight from Muscat. We needed four attempts until we made it here, but we are pleased that we eventually managed it! This lesser visited paradise of the Gulf is certainly worth spending four nights. Not only is Salalah the ideal beach destination – with a fantastic hotel on site that will satisfy even the most demanding guests –, but there are quite a few things to do for enterprising travelers, too!

Date of visit: April 2019

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As indicated in my overview of Oman – where I informed of all major places to go, tasteful lodging options and when to visit –, I would like to report in more detail on two regions where I stayed for the first time on my recent visit together with my husband and friends, the mountain area of Jabal Akhdar near Nizwa and the far south around Oman’s second-largest city of Salalah. Topics will be recommendations where to stay in style and what to do. In this post, I will cover Jabal Akhdar, my next one will be dedicated to Salalah.

General

Oman has – as I pointed out in my mentioned overview – an astonishingly diverse landscape, from stunning coastal areas to sandy deserts, tropical-like regions and breathtaking mountains. One of the latter is Jabal Akhdar (also Jebel Akhdar), “The Green Mountain”, offering wadis (dry river beds except in the rainy season), terrace plantations, fantastic high mountain scenery and old villages.

It is part of the Hajar mountain range on the Saiq plateau at 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It is the highest and wildest terrain in the country. As hinted before, you find here – in spite of the generally dry landscape – a fertile area home to fruit plantations (apricots, plums, grapes, pears, pomegranates, among others), rose gardens as well as woodland with trees such as the fig and wild olive.

It is only in recent years that this area has been open to the public. In 2011, Jabal Akhdar was designated a nature reserve in order to conserve its unique biodiversity. The mountain is also dotted with numerous idyllic Omani villages where the inhabitants have dug terraces in some parts for growing crops.

Best time to go

Temperatures in Jabal Akhdar are normally 10 – 15 degrees Celsius (50 – 59 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than in Muscat or Nizwa, so it is the perfect place for an escape from the heat, especially in the months from April to October, but please note that from December to February temperatures might be not warm enough for sun bathing.

Get in & get around

Jabal Akhdar can be reached from Muscat in a two-hour drive and from Nizwa in just under an hour. As per government regulations, a 4×4 is required to access the mountain. A driver’s license and car registration documents must be presented at the checkpoint before climbing up the hill. The Jabal Akhdar Road is in very good condition but extremely steep (much steeper than in the Swiss Alps for example …).

In case you do not have a rental car, it is possible to arrange chauffeur transfers between Muscat Airport and both hotels mentioned before via the resorts in question. For getting around in the area it is not necessary to have a rental car as you are able to book trips with the hotels however it might cost you more.

Activities

There are plentiful walking opportunities here, either around the small villages, which are interesting to visit to get a taste of local Omani life, or in the wilderness.

As already mentioned in my Oman overview, you may use the mountain area of Jabal Akhdar as a base to explore the cultural heart of Oman around Nizwa, too.

In the chapter after next I will go into what one can do when spending three days here. Before that I will report on where to stay here when seeking truly luxurious accommodations.

Where to stay in style

To my surprise, you are spoilt for choice here when looking for staying at a luxury hotel because there are two of them! As I can judge it from my research as well as from my stay at one of them and a visit to the other, both are true first-rate lodgings for a discerning clientele.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

First to the one where we paid a short visit to, the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, opened in 2016. It is perched on the rim of a grand canyon with a total of 115 rooms, many of which with a great view of the stunning mountain scenery. Some of the rooms even boast a private pool. In addition, there is a viewing platform where Princess Diana once stood, probably in awe of the breathtaking panorama!

There are all the amenities you would expect from such a top hotel including two restaurants. A comprehensive range of activities keep the guests (also the kids) on their toes.

In my view, the property is beautiful. Compared to the hotel where we stayed (Alila Jabel Akhar), I preferred here that it is situated closer to Muscat resp. Nizwa (the drive is half an hour shorter). What suited me less, is its location adjacent to a village as the hotel of my choice is very secluded.

Alila Jabal Akhdar

Now to the hotel where we had a wonderful three-day stay!

Location

To reach it, you pass the before mentioned Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort and drive on for just under half an hour. And there it is, sitting on a cliff overlooking a dramatic gorge, clad in jagged stones blending seamlessly into the surrounding wilderness.

Rooms

Alila Jabal Akhdar, opened 2014, has 86 rooms, including two villas, in different buildings scattered around the grounds. All of them boast mesmerizing views of the cliff and mountains and are luxuriously appointed.

We opted for a Ridge View Suite, having a secluded location and best vistas onsite. I found the room appealing especially the large balcony with its killer view

and the spacious bathroom with the freestanding bathtub.

The bedroom’s décor distinctively reflects the area’s heritage although it is a bit too rustic for my taste, a minus is also that the bedroom is only separated by a curtain from the bathroom.

Facilities

When it comes to the hotel’s public spaces, I was more taken with their design than with the bedrooms. I absolutely loved the reception area, where you find a huge fireplace,

also the library is a jewel!

And the hotel entrance is a real beauty, I fell in love with the stunning exteriors, made of local stone …

The pool is lovely,

although the number of sun loungers is a bit tight in case the hotel is fully booked as it seemed to be when we stayed here shortly before Easter. Apart from the outdoor infinity pool there is also an indoor heated pool; a spa is at your disposal, too.

Food

In terms of restaurants, there is Juniper Restaurant,

the main dining spot where a daily changing offer of international

and Arabian food

is available, and everything is immaculately prepared and arranged, served by friendly and competitive staff; it was always a pleasure to dine here. And do not miss to taste the tasty Omani bread,

it is heavenly! The Rose Lounge

is the place for light bites as well for afternoon tea and pre-dinner drink; the latter complete with (complimentary) nibbles from a buffet.

Activities

In case you wonder what do here, the leisure concierge at Alila Jabal Akhdar is more than ready to make proposals. There are also leaflets available describing a myriad of hikes, which can be done on your own or with a guide. I will go into one that our party of four did in the next chapter. There is a daily changing offer of guest activities covering the topics of cultural learning, conscious living, outdoor sporting pursuits (e.g. sunrise yoga

on a top level, I participated once) and culinary delights. Various sorts of things to do are possible for kids as well.

Overall

Compared to the before mentioned Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, I preferred the setting of Alila Jabal Akdhar as it is not only very secluded but also incredibly beautiful. Not only does the hotel stand on a stunning patch of earth but its architecture is simply amazing! Due to the marvelous stonework the property is practically seamless with its surroundings.

I also thought the Alila resort is more suitable to my needs in terms of size as it is a bit smaller than its competitor. Less beneficial is the fact that the drive to this hotel is about half an hour longer than to the Anantara resort. This is especially a drawback if you want to use it as a base to explore Nizwa and its surroundings.

What to do on a three-night stay

Day 1

Your first day in Jabal Akhdar is best dedicated to the exploration of Saiq (or Sayk) and its villages. This is best done by foot. The starting point for this walk is just next to the Anantara hotel that I went into in the previous chapter. When being in the area, it is recommended to visit Diana’s Point,

a viewing point where Lady Diana once stood, evidently reading a book … The platform can be reached by crossing Anantara resort’s property. This allows you to catch a glimpse of this hotel too in case you are interested.

Back to the walk …Before reaching the hotel, take a right turn towards Al Aqr (or Al-Al Aqur) and follow the yellow-white-red markers. This wonderful walk leads through the villages built into the cliffs and their fruit and rose plantations.

When you are here in March or April, you have the chance to witness Damask roses in full bloom

and to have a look into a family-owned rose water distillery.

The walk continues to a second village (Al-Ayn) and a third one (Ash Shirayjah) and is supposed to take about an hour. When getting here, return or ascend to the Saiq plateau. We only got to the village of Al-Ayn where we were picked up by car from our guide (we were lucky enough to have the trip included in our package at the Alila hotel).

Another highlight here on the Saiq plateau is the picturesque abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib.

It can be reached either by car or by walking (supposedly about one hour from central Saiq plateau). Here an ancient village awaits you. It is in pretty good shape although uninhabitable. Make a tour here, have a look at collapsed roofs, crumpled walls and missing doors.

Some of the buildings are amazingly complex with several floors, nested into one another and interconnected by staircases and tunnels. Return via a loop trough the orchards encountering pomegranate trees, grapevines and even giant walnut trees – at least by Omani standards. In case you are still in an adventurous mood, there is a path towards another abandoned village, the one of As Sab …

Day 2

On our second day, we decided to go on a hike in the area. Our hotel, Alila Jabal Akhdar, has a wide choice of hiking proposals for every level of difficulty. Upon request with the leisure concierge, you will be handed out leaflets which describe the individual hikes in detail. It is also possible to book a guided tour.

Our party of four opted for a moderate three-hour hike (undulating, height difference 200 m/656 ft) starting right by the hotel, called “Miracle in the Mountains”. We strapped on our hiking boots (Recommended!) and set off on our own.

The start to the hike is across the road from Alila Jabal Akhdar’s gatehouse. After crossing a small wadi, you come to another one you follow for about an hour. While this wadi is generally dry, it was different in our case. Due to quite heavy rainfall a few days earlier, some pools were full.

So we were lucky to experience the walk at its most beautiful. Please be aware that although the hike is rated moderate, you will encounter rocky wadi bottom and loose sections. It is imperative to wear sturdy shoes to master partly difficult passages.

At the end of the wadi you come to a small dam, which is nice to look at and the perfect spot for a short rest.

Then it is time for the return route, this time not through the wadi floor but along the hill on the opposite side of the wadi. Not long and you come to the abandoned village of As Sarab.

Shortly afterwards, the path joins a dirt road. You can either follow it for a quicker and easier route back to the starting point or you cross it and follow the markers back down into the wadi bottom for a more pleasant yet longer way back (rejoining the path you came from).

I was pleasantly surprised how scenic the walk was with lots of Mediterranean vegetation, pools full of water and some wildlife (we saw quite a few frogs).

 

Day 3 (or possibly 1)

In case you plan to use your hotel in Jabel Akdhar as base to explore the ancient city of Nizwa,

then I suggest that you do this either on the day of arrival or departure depending on your schedule. This in order to avoid long travel times as the drive from Alila Jabal Akhdar to the old town of Nizwa is just under one and half an hour (just under one hour from Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar). Our party of four paid this area a visit on our departure day as we continued further on to a Muscat hotel afterwards. This gave us ample time to revisit Nizwa’s city center on the onward journey.

Highlights in Nizwa include Nizwa Fort

and its many different souks,

worthwhile sights in Nizwa’s surroundings are Bahla Fort,

Jabrin Castle

and the mountain village of Misfah.

Overall

Who would have thought that there was such a green paradise in Oman at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level where Mediterranean crops could be found? Certainly not me. In addition, there are picturesque villages, a fantastic mountain scenery, many hiking opportunities, moderate temperatures and – important for travelers appreciating the finer things in life just like me – two fantastic luxury hotels.

Date of last visit: April 2019

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Oman has a relatively diversified economy – at least compared to neighboring states -, but it still remains dependent on oil exports. Tourism is the fastest-growing industry here, the country is even considered the undisputed leader in this area in the Middle East.

As to the most important travel destinations within Oman, here is all you need to know in this matter.

Many visitors stick solely to Muscat as it is a perfect destination for beach vacations. Beyond that the capital city has more than enough to justify a multiday stay, i.e. an imposing mosque, an impressive opera, nice forts and government buildings, a lively souk. And if you want to go a bit further, Nizwa, an ancient city which was the former political, and religious capital for centuries, is only a two-hour drive away.

If you would like to get more than just an impression of the historic city of Nizwa with its many sights in town – think of its mighty fort or its many different souls – and also its surroundings – e.g. Bahla Fort, Jabrin Castle or the mountain village of Misfah -,

A mountain stay in Jabal Akhdar (“The Green Mountain”) is a great thing to do in Oman as it allows you not only to escape the heat in Muscat or Nizwa but also to discover a different Oman that is well worth exploring with its picturesque mountain villages complete with fruit and rose plantations on terraces and its wadis (dry riverbeds except in the rainy season).

A plus here is the facht that there are two luxury hotels onsite, which will satisfy the discerning traveler (Alila Jabal Akhdar

If you fancy a desert stay, then head to the biggest inland desert of Wahiba Sands, about a three-hour drive from Muscat. While my husband and I did not stay here, but only made a day trip to this desert with rolling hills and rippled waves of sand. Here is a blogpost from fellow bloggers about staying at the Desert Nights Camp.

Down in the far south not far from the Yemeni border, there is Oman’s second-largest city of Salalah, whose climate differs a bit from the rest of the Sultanate. It boasts not only great beaches but has also some sights in town and in the surroundings that are worth visiting.

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Dubai is an ideal destination when looking for a place for beach vacation in combination with sightseeing. In addition, the flight time from Western Europe is not long (6 hours) and the time zone difference is a mere 3 hours. When looking for a fine luxury accommodation on the beach not too far away from the city center, then Hotel Royal Mirage is a favorable choice. After 2 stays there, my husband and I decided to return again to this fantastic hotel at the Jumeirah Beach. Although Dubai has undergone a huge transformation since our first visit in 2001, it is still one of our fave for a few days in the sun.

 

Development

 

Residence & SPA

When we returned again in 2015, again staying at the Residence & SPA, both the Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina had been completed. It is hard to believe how the area around the initial One&Only Royal Mirage The Palace changed in merely 14 years! When first being there, the view of the Arabian Gulf was unobstructed. Now, there is no more open sea, but you overlook The Palm Island Bay. Of course, this is different, but not a reason not to return to the Royal Mirage. This One&Only resort is simply too good not to consider it again for another stay.

 

Beach of The Palace & Dubai Marina in the background

Location

 

Beach of Residence & SPA & The Palm in the background

Facilities

 

Beach area of Residence & SPA (only for guests of this hotel part)

Rooms

We had a Prestige Room, the standard accommodation at the Residence. It is large (58 sqm), well equipped and elegantly styled with Arabian features. The bathroom is amazing, with a large walk-in shower, a separate toilet, a double bath and double sinks.

Exterior of Prestige Rooms

Staff/Pricing

 

Beach at dusk & The Palm in the background

Food

 

Exterior of restaurant at the Residence & SPA

Hotel comparison

 

View of Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah from the beach

Overall

Having been to Dubai 4 times, I consider One&Only Royal Mirage still as one of the best luxury hotels onsite, especially its part Residence & SPA. It is a gem of a hotel with exemplary staff, superb accommodations and excellent facilities. Its Arabian styled buildings create a delightful retreat in busy Dubai. Although the construction of the Jumeirah Palm in front of the resort cannot be considered as an asset, the Royal Palm remains a unique luxurious oasis of calm.

Deira, traditional commercial center of Dubai

Date of stay: October 2015

Mauritius is best known for its gorgeous beaches, where the sand is powder-white and the water sapphire-blue. This makes it together with an abundance of top luxury resorts an ideal destination for ultimate beach vacation. One of the best hotels on this idyllic island is probably the Royal Palm, which my husband and I chose to spend some lazy days in the sun. It was our 2^nd stay at this hotel and our 4^th one in Mauritius. 

Mauritius is geographically seen a part of Africa, its neighboring islands are Madagascar und Reunion in the west and Seychelles in the north. The island benefits from the fact that the time zone difference to Western Europe is only 3 hours, however the flight time from there is quite long (about 11 hours).

Hotel Royal Palm is located on the north west coast of Mauritius and is protected quite well from the trade winds. Its setting on a white sandy beach in the outskirts of the lively town of Grand Baie is perfect. The location is secluded, but the town center is only a short walk away from the hotel.

 

Pool near main restaurant (left side) & bar (right side)

 

View of beach

Date of stay: October 2015

My husband and I choose the Al Husn for our one week’s stay to spend some leisure time and to celebrate New Year’s Eve. When we were last time in Muscat, we stayed at the Al Bustan Hotel and decided to give the Shangri La a shot and were well-advised!

The whole resort (where the Al Husn is the premium hotel with adult guests only) is wonderfully located amidst rock formations alongside the Omani coastline, very nice and secluded.



The Al Husn on top of a rock features a private pool and beach which were enjoyable and well-maintained but unfortunately these areas were very busy, it was sometimes difficult to find a sunbed as the hotel seemed to be full. In addition, many sunbeds had been taken in advance (without people being present). The employees delivered a cooler box with drinks and a facial spray, also cold towels and occasionally nibbles were offered. Complimentary for al Husn guests were an afternoon tea in the Sultanah Restaurant as well as pre-dinner drinks and canapés at the courtyard, a nice touch and well appreciated by us.



We had booked a Deluxe Sea View Rom and were satisfied with the choice. The room was large and well-appointed although I personally didn’t like the thick carpet, but that’s a question of taste (I would have preferred no carpet at all as the climate in Muscat is rather humid and I found that the room smelled somewhat musty). Anyway, the room was fine as it was the bathroom, which was spacious with a tub and a large separate shower. Pity, that there was only one sink … There was also a nice balcony were you could enjoy the gorgeous view. A mini bar with free drinks (no spirits) and snacks was also at our disposal.



Breakfast at the Sultanah Restaurant was great, a huge buffet and an a la carte choice were offered. As far as restaurants are concerned, there is a good choice, catering for all tastes. As we are foodies and aren’t into buffet restaurants, we went for the upscale restaurants. The quality in general was very good, but they were also very pricey. When the hotel is full, it’s recommended to reserve in advance. In the Al Husn Hotel, I would recommend Sultanah for international cuisine, fine food and likewise priced. Also the adjacent Moroccan restaurant Shahrazad is a good choice for good authentic food. In the Al Bandar Hotel, we went to the Capri Court and enjoyed the delicious Italian food. If you want to have an after dinner drink, don’t miss the fabulous Piano Bar in this hotel. There you will not only find a beautiful bar, but also terrific drinks, very recommended! When you are into sea food, go to Bait Al Bahr on the hotel grounds. We were there twice and were delighted by the offered. On New Year’s Eve, we first had champagne and canapés at the courtyard, then a exquisite six course dinner at Sultanah (alcoholic beverages included, additional charge of OMR 120 per person), after that there was a band, more food and drinks as well as impressive fireworks at Turtle Beach, very enjoyable!



Service throughout the resort was great, it was second to none (even the Four Seasons). Employees were eager to please you at every possible opportunity. We also had the chance to chat with the general manager and other people in senior positions as they mingled with the guests, exemplarily. On New Year, the general manager of the Al Husn came along when guests were at the pool, offered a Tequila Sunrise and wished a happy new year, a nice touch.

When you are interested in having a look around in the nearby area, go to the souks, the sultan’s palace and the Grand Mosque, but don’t book a desert trip through the hotel, it’s not worthwhile (a 7 hours round trip by car for a short stay with the – touristy – Bedouins).

All in all, the Shangri La’s Al Husn is a very recommended destination when looking for a place for R&R.

Date of stay: December 2012

We were pleased to learn that the dents had been refurbished and updated. The bathroom is now much larger and better furnished than last time, we liked it … All nine tents are oriented to the rising sun, so you are able to enjoy the first sunrays. And you can do this indulging in the early morning tea and cookies provided by the staff, a nice touch!

The public space (two lounges, a bar, a library and two dining rooms) is beautifully decorated and has a peaceful feel. There is also an adequately sized pool with a relaxing sun deck. 

As far as the food is concerned you shall not be disappointed as it is of a very good quality. When staying here, you are on half board. This includes a good breakfast, a delicious lunch, delicate cakes in the afternoon and a sumptuous dinner. The employees are attentive, courteous and eager to please. 

As we had our own guideI (from Ultimate Safaris), I cannot comment on the activities offered by the lodge. Things to do include nature drives and walks. But do not expect spectacular game viewing because Wolwedans is more aboutrecreation than action. For me it is the ideal final point after an eventful safari trip.