Mandarin Oriental, Muscat — Hotel in Muscat

It was part of a long weekend in our country - in which we decided to spend 8 days in the beautiful Sultanate of Oman. The plans are 4D3N stay in Muscat, followed by 5D4N stay in the mountains. As an Amex Platinum Card holder, naturally, I gravitated towards choosing one of the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, where there are 6 properties across Oman. There are 3 properties in Muscat itself, where MO is one of them, and I am glad I chose this hotel.

We arrived on a hot Sunday afternoon, after taking the taxi from the airport. Upon arrival, we were greeted by several cheerful staff, with one name in particular at the front desk, Cherry (who assisted with our requests throughout the whole stay). Having recognised us from the South East Asia, she managed to have a conversation in our native language, which immediately felt like we just arrived 'home'. As there were 3 of us, I had booked 2 Deluxe Mountain View Rooms and was surprised at check-in with an upgrade to 2 Junior Mountain View Suite instead, with both rooms double in size! The rooms and hotels (being 1 year old), is impeccable! The rooms climate control and air circulation is amazing, and made our stay, in the scorching sun of Muscat in early September very bearable. The mountain view is amazing, maybe we preferred that over the sea view. The bed, the bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, lighting scenes and the living area, are to die for.

The purposely, mostly relaxing (read: doing nothing) vacation, was without a doubt amplified by the hotel and its amenities. We had plan for several activities which I had booked separately, prior to choosing the hotel. The location of the hotel, by the beach and walkable towards a quaint commercial areas and other hotels and attraction such as W and Intercontinental, and the Royal Opera House. The location, which is very central, yet quite – surrounded by embassies and missions, made short taxi rides to Mutrah, Old Muscat, the malls and attractions (mosques, forts) very easy - with rides just ranging from 1-2 OMR per trip. Few Otaxis drivers generally had a hard time getting to the hotel as there were several entrances - but nothing a few bubble chats cannot solve.

We didn't manage to try the spa, but the pool and fitness centre is beautiful. We used the pool at night (as it is colder), and special thanks from my brother who received a complimentary body scan/analysis at the fitness centre. The consistency and perfectionism of turndown and housekeeping services are especially up to par for a hotel of MO's reputation. I love the earl grey/chamomile teas and instant coffee at the minibar. We did not manage to try the lounge as it was closed, and had to cancel dinner plan at Essenza as we arrived back from Wahiba Sands very late at night. Nonetheless, I did manage to try a tasty pasta from the restaurant via in-room dining – and will definitely try the restaurant next time I'm in Muscat.

There's always room for improvement, and for our rooms, I wish there was a large desk for my brother and I to check on work (yes, I should be relaxing, but can't be helped haha). Everything else is perfect - including the breakfast (although options are rather limited - in a sense comparison, really, is the thief of joy). Understandably, a large group (also from our country) checked-in on the same day, and the front desk was slightly confused on our FHR vs corporate rate stays, but we were given the usual FHR brief letter the next day.

Now, I would recommend MO to everyone visiting Muscat for the first time noting its central location - and I will always long the cold rosewater, jasmine tea mix we received at check-in (we were fed 3-4 small cups each haha).

Until next time, whether alone, for business or with friends - and for sure towards the milder weather...

A Truly Memorable Solo Stay at Mandarin Oriental, Muscat

I visited Mandarin Oriental, Muscat last week for a solo one-night stay, and although the visit was short, it left a lasting impression. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the team, making me feel at home as if I were in my own country.

What truly sets this property apart is not just the world-class facilities, which are expected of a five-star luxury hotel, but the exceptional team who elevate every guest’s experience with their genuine care and attention to detail.

Prior to my stay, I reached out to the hotel’s reservation team with a special request. I was truly impressed by how responsive and accommodating they were, doing their best to ensure a smooth and welcoming arrival. Upon check-in, the Front Office team was already well-informed, which reflects the excellent internal coordination and genuine care the team extends to their guests.

A heartfelt thank you to Sadaa Al Hajri and Fuad Al Khanjari from the Front Office team. They truly went above and beyond to ensure my comfort from the moment I arrived. Their thoughtful gestures, attention to detail, and generous hospitality made me feel like a valued guest. They took the time not only to warmly welcome me but also to walk me through the hotel’s offerings with genuine care. It’s rare to encounter such dedication and their efforts truly made my stay unforgettable.

I had booked a Deluxe Sea View Room, and I must say, it was absolutely stunning. The room’s design was elegant and refined, featuring beautiful Omani touches in the décor that gave it an authentic local charm. The view was breathtaking, and I especially enjoyed watching both the sunset and sunrise from the room it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful highlights of my trip. I highly recommend this room category to anyone visiting!

The dining experience at Rawya Restaurant was another highlight. The team welcomed me warmly, and I highly recommend trying the delicious traditional Omani dish "Laham Kabuli" an absolute must for anyone visiting!

I also appreciate the housekeeping team, who checked in with me by the end of the day to see if I needed anything. The room was beautifully maintained, and the thoughtful attention to amenities and toiletries was a lovely touch.

Last but certainly not least, sincere thanks to the Bellman team, who were on top of everything from arrival to departure. A special shout-out to "Genesis" who truly saved the day when my driver canceled last minute. He went the extra mile, literally to arrange alternative transportation, ensuring I made it to my flight on time.

Overall, my experience at Mandarin Oriental, Muscat was exceptional. The team set a new standard for hospitality, and now it’s hard to consider staying anywhere else. Thank you all for making my trip so special. I’m already looking forward to returning for a longer stay and exploring more of what the hotel...

Apparently this is the newest hotel in Muscat and it’s been open 12 months. Its entrance leads to an elegant and not massive lobby lounge with Reception and Concierge desks discreetly tucked away at opposite sides. ||My family occupied sea view rooms. Each was slightly different in layout. Fortunately, the one I occupied was the best layout. Modern, elegant, comfortable, with superb view of the sea. ||But watch out that there is no area for those who need to spend time on a laptop for work of for virtual meetings - it was a first time for me. Fortunately I managed to use the dressing table as my work desk. Is it realistic for the owners or management to contemplate a hotel room with no working area?||The other observation is that the shower stall is badly designed - when closing or opening the door, water simply flows out into the bathroom area - and exposes the hotel to being sued when a guest finally does slip, fall and injure himself!||The restaurant on the LG floor serves what was misleadingly seen at the onset as a minimalist breakfast buffet. But when discovering that its complemented by an a la carte menu, we soon realised that whats being offered is actually a wide variety. And the daily Asian specials are really very good and a welcome change to the daily Omani cuisine||The hotel opens to a long beach which is active at sundown when the locals boulevard up and down. Very tranquil. ||The only weaknesses are the inconsistency of service levels. In room, laundry lists are forgotten to be placed daily. At the lobby lounge, it was difficult to attract service attention. At the breakfast room, orders were not consistently acted upon. At the concierge desk, the concierges were frequently absent. A note that both concierges are good but need to be challenged to show their best, otherwise they may just deliver “same old same old” service levels. But what does stand out is that notwithstanding inconsistent service levels, the staff are all friendly and try hard to please - perhaps because they are from so many nationalities||The standout has to be Cheryl from Guest Relations. She raises the bar for personal attention. The other senior managers are diverse in nationalities and experienced led by an experienced GM . Hopefully they will be able to impart their experience in service excellence to all their staff - that will make this property a stand out in terms of hardware and software. ||Muscat is a contrast to the fancy skyscrapers of the other Gulf States and Emirates. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and canyons and proximate to the sea rich with marine life. It is calm. I enjoyed the contrast - and the MO does stand out as the hotel property which I...