Honest review
Radisson Blu in Muscat solves the main puzzle of a trip to Oman: fitting both the city and the sea into one journey. The airport is 15 minutes away, the city centre 5 km, the Royal Opera House and the Sultan Qaboos Mosque 3 km. The beaches of the Gulf of Oman are close by too, so after the sightseeing there is still time for sand and water.
Of the 153 rooms and suites, we suggest looking at the business categories: they come with lounge access and a buffet breakfast. Every room has climate control, free Wi-Fi, a safe and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Plan your evenings in advance: the Friday brunch and the international theme nights are worth catching, and the slow rhythm of Omani life is best caught in the lounge with shisha and mezze; there is also a spot serving classic Irish dishes.
The quiet-day infrastructure is an outdoor pool with adjustable water temperature, a fitness centre with steam bath and sauna, and a spa with treatments tailored to your request. Muscat looks good from the water too: a boat trip with fishing or dolphin-watching makes a fine half-day plan, and for Bedouin life head out to the Wahiba Sands desert.
Who it suits: first-time visitors to Oman who want to gather everything — culture, shopping, beach — from a single base.
