126 goodthingsmagazine.comeateries – from the traditional
Al Tanoor through to the casual Surf Café
and cocktail hotspot, Piano Lounge.
Al Waha, Oman’s first dedicated
family hotel, is the largest amongst the
Shangri-La collection; formed of a series of
interconnecting rooms, numerous pools,
play zones, and a Lazy River.
The Arabian styling and arched windows
of Al Bandar, the resort’s central hotel,
are in keeping with Muscat’s traditional
architecture. Rooms with private balconies
or terraces overlook palm groves and the
sea, and a cove where Shangri-La upholds
amazing turtle conservation work lies just
next to the hotel’s beach.
Shangri-La’s third property, Al Husn,
is designed to reflect the opulence and
grandeur of the royal palace and grand
mosque. Made up mainly of suites, it features
a stunning private courtyard which leads to
its own lagoon-like cove; complete with two
beaches and VIP sun lounger service. We
recline, lazily watching dolphins and dhow
fishing boats, following the sun until it sets
spectacularly over the mountains.Desert adventures
Al Husn has given us a taste for the
magnificence that we witness on an
expedition to take in some of Oman’s
grandest architectural creations. We visit
The Royal Palace, The Muscat Royal Opera
House, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
of Muscat. The laer is one of the Middle
East’s largest, and its shiny marble courtyard,
football pitch-sized carpet, and 1,100 lamp
chandelier are all something to behold.
A knowledgeable guide will help you
get the most out of Oman and, on a Toyota
Land Cruiser trip, ours doubles as a dune-
bashing instructor. We drive into the desert,
transitioning from new motorway to dirt
track, taking in a series of old forts en route.
We’re promised magical hot springs, but,
although Al-Kasfah’s water is warm (as is
the climate!), it’s also surrounded by public
baths and toilets. But, when we reach the
Al-Thorwarah spring, my disappointment
evaporates. A beautiful injection from the
barren hills gives way to a gentle stream
that’s home to a vast school of doctor fish
that nibble gently at our toes. The waters of
the small falls and plunge pools above the
stream are pleasantly warm and, we’re told,
have healing powers.We pass scaered towns and villages
between the hills and Muscat. Then, slightly
off the beaten track and into the desert, we
reach the five-star Dunes by Al Nahda resort,
made up of decadent Bedouin tent ‘pods’. As
we dine on an Indian-influenced menu, the
veranda restaurant’s 360° views of the dunes
and mountains takes my breath away.Diving and dining
Our whistlestop trip heads further north;
taking us to the Millennium Resort in Al
Mussanah, a beautiful marina which makes
a sea-facing room a must.
Dawn breaks, and we board a diving boat.
A couple of miles out, the excited captain
points towards a pod of over 50 spinner
dolphins, all playing up to the human visit.
We spot massive turtles, moray eels and lion
fish darting amongst the coral as we coast
around the islands. Then, with the fleeting
sighting of a huge whale shark, the day
becomes even more magical.
We return to Muscat for a final night at
the Crowne Plaza, where the low-lit pool
offers the vibrant, relaxing welcome of a
Mediterranean resort, before we head to
dinner at The Cave in the Darsait Hills.
The venue’s name makes me wonder
whether it will suffer from trite theming,
but it merely refers to the architectural
style within a three-floor complex which
comprises seven distinct restaurants.
Bird’s eye views of Muscat City and Ruwi are
almost as overwhelming as the wealth of
dining choices.
We could opt for the slow-cooked meats
known as 'shuwa' at Al Manjur, enjoy an
oceanic feast at Harbour, get a taste of India
and the Far East at Asiana, check out Clouds
and the Clouds Terrace for Mediterranean
and Lebanese cuisine, eat traditional
Italian food at Rossini, go exotic with Riox’s
Brazilian menu, or dine and dance in Rumba
Latina’s casual environs. As it’s the end of
the trip, we plump for Al Manjur and an
authentic Omani experience.
Ultimately, The Cave, Muscat and
Oman as a whole all strike an alluring
balance between tradition and modernity;
embracing luxury whilst keeping a keen eye
on the preservation of historical culture.
My Arabian nights (and days) have been
filled with peace, beauty and discovery of a
location with a rich heritage – this trip has
proven as magical as I’d hoped.LUXURY ESCAPESMake it real
Five nights in Oman from £799 per person (saving £400
per person), staying three nights at the Crowne Plaza Muscat
and two nights at Millennium Al Mussanah Resort, on a bed
& breakfast basis. Includes flights from London with Oman Air and return airport transfers.
Departing June 2017. To book call 020 7644 1770 or visit holidayplace.co.uk. The Holiday
Place has been creating award-winning experiences for over 30 years. Their holidays range
from luxurious to adventurous and cater for all budgets and requirements.
For further information ln Oman visit omantourism.gov.om Images: Chris Skarratt, The Cleveland Agency, Oman TourismOman_MATTCATHYZP.indd 126 04/04/2017 21:25