Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Complex - a happening shopping complex, one of the liveliest in town, including coffee-
houses and restaurants - is within walking distance.
Grand Hyatt Muscat$$$
LUXURY HOTEL
OFFLINE MAP
( 24 641234;
www.muscat.grand.hyatt.com
; Way 3033, Off Al-Saruj St, Shatti al-Qurm; s/d OR150/159;
)
This hotel is pure kitsch! Allegedly designed by a Yemeni prince, the exterior owes
much to Disney, while its stained-glass and marble interior is a cross between art deco and
a royal Bedouin tent. With luxurious, balconied rooms, Muscat's best Italian restaurant,
Tuscany, water sports and limitless walks along the sandy beach, this hotel has more than
one angle.
Al-Bustan Palace
LUXURY HOTEL
(Ritz-Carlton Hotel; 24 799666;
www.ritzcarlton.com
; off Sidab St, Al-Bustan; r from OR200; )
In a
secluded bay ringed by spectacular mountains, Al-Bustan is more palace than hotel. It has
an atmosphere and class of its own, partly engendered through the Arabian-style interior
and top-quality restaurants. The hotel grounds are like a Garden of Eden with infinity
pools and shady lawns backing onto a pristine beach. A Six Senses Spa is due to open in
late 2013.
Eating
There are lots of opportunities for fine dining in Muscat, particularly at top-end hotels.
Equally, it's hard to go 10 paces without tripping over a stand selling
shwarma
(meat
sliced off the spit and stuffed in pita-type bread with chopped tomatoes and garnish).
Dozens of what are locally termed 'coffee-shops' abound in Muscat selling a variety of
largely Indian snacks, such as omelettes rolled up in Arabic bread with chilli, samosas and
curried potatoes. It is more difficult to eat typical Omani food - the best options are Ubar,
Khargeen and Bin Ateeq. For a comprehensive round-up of Muscat's restaurants and
cafés, it's worth buying a copy of
Time Out Muscat
(OR2). Following is a selection of res-
taurants that give a flavour of the region, either in menu or venue, and some of Muscat's
favourite cafes.
Al-Daleh Restaurant$
INTERNATIONAL
OFFLINE MAP
