SETTING THE SCENE
Muscat is Oman’s port capital – perched on the Gulf of Oman, it’s where the mountains meet the sea. Its history as a major trading hub between the East and West dates back 100,000 years, only modernising itself in the 1970s. Now, it’s a perfect mix of old-world charm and contemporary cool, the air scented by coffee, spices and frankincense. There’s much to do, from visits to the Royal Opera House, Al Alam Palace and Mutrah Fort, to soaking up culture at Bait Al Zubair Museum and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. A huge draw for holidaymakers is Muscat’s extraordinary coastline, providing water-loving visitors incredible marine adventures. You can snorkel or scuba dive to spot turtles and rays, or glide through its crystalline waters on a jet ski, wakeboard, water ski or by chartering a catamaran to weave you in and out of Muscat’s unexplored coves. If you’re lucky (and guests often are), you’ll be accompanied by a pod of dolphins as they spin and bow-ride through the waves with you – and it’s all accessible from the centre of the city, where we find the Chedi Muscat right on Ghubrah Beach.
WHEN TO VISIT:
October to March, when the air is cooler and the sea most welcoming.
WHERE TO EAT:
Head to Ramssa in Qurum to try authentic Omani street food. Its interiors are designed like a traditional Omani house, with mouth-watering dishes of mutton, fish and chicken infused with herbs, onion, garlic and lime.
THE HOTEL
Centred around minimalism, The Chedi Muscat is as calm as hotels come. Flanked by beach and 21 acres of garden, this pretty hotel has been drawing the region’s well-heeled crowd for over 20 years. Looking for tranquillity? You’ll find it here in spades, all white-washed walls, traditional Omani-meets-Asian architecture and loads of greenery. Spend your day flitting between pools – the 103-metre Long Pool or Chedi Pool for a child-free dip, or the Serai Pool for a swim enveloped by greenery. Take a sun-kissed stroll along the 383-metre stretch of picture-perfect beach. Try yoga, kinesis or aqua aerobics for some light movement, or hit some balls at the hotel’s competition-standard private tennis court. The hotel will also curate the perfect day trip for you, from mountain biking to a mosque visit, a desert safari at Wahiba Sands to a gentle snorkel along the coastline.
Unpack your bags in one of the hotel’s 61 newly renovated Serai rooms, fusing elegant, traditional Asian style with classic Omani architecture. Housed in the three-storey Serai Wing, it’s all about graceful simplicity and serenity, with a contemporary palette of soft greys and neutral tones, traditional wooden elements and layered textures. The rooms bask in natural light, with uninterrupted views out over the Gulf of Oman’s enticingly sparkling waters.
A highlight of the hotel – and most likely your holiday – is The Spa at The Chedi Muscat. At this gorgeous 13-suite Balinese oasis, you’ll find beauty refining facials, rejuvenating massages, cupping, reflexology, manicures and plenty more. There’s also The Health Club, a unique living room-style gym with Technogym equipment, power plates, a kinesis wall, free weights and a Pilates corner, sauna and steam room to meet all your holiday wellbeing needs.
Don’t miss a relaxed evening at The Shisha Courtyard, mezze under the stars at The Arabian Courtyard, Japanese cuisine at The Long Pool Cabana or seafood by the sea at The Beach Restaurant.
WHAT TO SEE:
Take a tour around the House of Amouage manufacturer to sniff the timeless aromatic ingredients at the historic factory, where the world’s most expensive perfume is produced.
WHAT TO DO:
If you’re a golf fanatic, there are several beautiful greens where you can practice your swing. Try the 18-hole PGA-certified green at Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club or the Greg Norman-designed course at Al Mouj Golf.
And On Your Wrist?
Chronoswiss Delphis Dune
Sophisticated, complex and utterly desirable, everything about Chronoswiss’s new Delphis Dune is reflected in the charm of the city of Muscat. The lightness of its titanium case makes this elegant 42mm timepiece a pleasure to wear, while the captivating amber-toned Grand Feu enamel dial recalls the undulations of the Omani desert sands and its surrounding orange-red mountains. The fan-favourite Chronoswiss retrograde minute and jumping hour complication is as appealing as ever, and now when set with a hand-guilloché 18 carat gold dial base for the sleek enamelwork it proves all the more tempting. With just 50 pieces being produced, you’d better hurry to get one of these desert-island dials on your wrist.
