Sarah Kingdom checks into The Chedi Muscat and languishes in five-star luxury.
Even the most seasoned and energetic of travellers sometimes just long to relax in the sunshine by the beach. But for some, this can present a challenge, especially if you don’t fancy a long flight to the islands of the Caribbean or tropical Southeast Asia. Enter Oman with its guaranteed daily sunshine and glistening coastline. According to Skyscanner the average flight time from the UK to Muscat is just 6 hours and 50 minutes, making this the perfect winter-sun spot, and with a chauffeur-driven journey of just fifteen minutes from plane to pool, the five-star Chedi Muscat is the place to be.
The Chedi Muscat is a marvellous blend of a central city location with gorgeous ocean views. Meandering pathways, lined with swaying palm trees and soothing water features, lead you through 21 acres of manicured green lawns, past three azure swimming pools, six restaurants, and more than 150 lovely white-washed villas, to a private 370m long beach. The hotel has a somewhat legendary reputation in the Middle East. As the first luxury hotel in Oman, the Chedi became the benchmark for Omani hospitality, and two decades later people still flock from all around the region, and indeed all over the world, to experience its understated luxury, relaxing atmosphere and fantastic service.
Designed by Belgian prolific hotel architect-designer, Jean-Michel Gathy, the sprawling beachfront property fuses traditional Omani architectural style with Asian-inspired touches, exemplifying GHM hotel group’s signature style of incorporating local touches with contemporary Asian designs. The reception area is inspired by a Bedouin tent, complete with flowing drapery and bench sofas for relaxing. There are several local touches to keep you feeling connected to the hotel’s location, including the doormen in traditional Omani dress, and the gift shop which sells locally-made crafts, homewares, toiletries and collectors’ items.
Landscape architect Karl Princic designed the Zen-ordered gardens and the layout is designed around a series of fountains, courtyards and aqueducts, inspired by the ancient Omani falaj (irrigation) system that has provided fresh water for farmers from underground wells for hundreds of years. Everywhere throughout the property you can hear water, be it the waves on the beach or the hotel’s many trickling fountains and water features.
The Rooms
The Chedi has 158 one and two-storey rooms and villas, yet they are all sufficiently spread out that it never feels crowded. The styling is minimalist, modern and elegant, with dark teak furnishings, palatial beds and decadent toiletries. Guests staying in one of the stand-alone Chedi Club Suites, with their private terraces, sprawling lounges and gigantic bathrooms, have access to a range of complimentary services including return airport transfers in a private limousine, a daily breakfast buffet served at The Restaurant, complimentary minibar beverages (replenished daily), laundry, and access to The Club Lounge which serves complimentary high tea at 3 pm, and cocktails and canapés at 6 pm.
The Restaurants
Dining at the Chedi is special. The main restaurant, with its vaulted ceiling and crystal chandeliers, designed by renowned Japanese interior designer, Yasuhiro Koichi, serves buffet-style Middle Eastern, Western, Asian and Indian cuisine, and offers a breakfast buffet with seemingly endless options. A fabulous bottomless brunch is served from 1.00 – 4.30 pm on Fridays, alongside live music and bubbles.
The Long Pool Cabana offers classic yet modern Japanese and Asian dishes and is perfect for an evening of cocktails and music under the stars. At night the 103m long infinity pool, the longest in the Middle East, is atmospherically lit by fire pits. The Serai Pool Cabana’s menu offers a more casual menu, with burgers and shawarmas, while the Chedi Pool has a tapas menu, shisha, and views out over the beach and ocean. The Beach restaurant, situated right on the beachfront, specialises in seafood with standout dishes including the grilled Omani octopus, the pan-roasted sea bass and the Omani lobster.
The Heath and Spa Facilities
The hotel spa is popular with guests and locals alike and is consistently booked up. A wide range of Asian and Middle Eastern-inspired treatments are on offer and the treatment rooms are large and come with private baths. There are also hammams, saunas and steam rooms, as well as a relaxation room with floor-to-ceiling views over the Gulf of Oman.
Fitness fanatics will enjoy the spectacular gym, with its range of high-tech equipment. The hotel boasts three swimming pools, including a 103m infinity pool, the longest in the Middle East. The private beach is a great spot for walking and swimming and there are also fantastic beachside yoga sessions, a tennis coach, and three golf courses nearby that the hotel can concierge arrange a visit to.
Things To Do
It’s worth leaving the hotel and getting out into the city to explore. The hotel is just ten minutes from the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and around 20 minutes from the old town and souks. If you want to venture a little further afield the Chedi’s concierge team can arrange and book desert and mountain day and overnight trips, and with more than three-quarters of the country being either mountain or desert, so there’s plenty to see!
Tell Me More About The Chedi Muscat
The Chedi Muscat offers a blend of understated luxury, stunning architecture and a great ambience. One of the most sought-after hotels in Muscat, the Chedi offers an escape that’s luxurious and elegant without being ostentatious, and while it comes at a price, the experience is worth every penny.
Prices vary by room type and season, but generally start from GBP£380 per night, with the Club Suites starting from £670 per night.
The Chedi Muscat 18th November Street. P.O. Box 964, P.C.133, Al Khuwair, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
T: +968 24 52 44 00 E: chedimuscat@ghmhotels.com
