Introduction

The first time I visited Oman was 2012. That was also the first time I stayed at The Chedi Muscat on Ghubra Beach. And I’ve kept going back ever since. The Chedi is, hands down, one of my favourite hotels. Over the years, the property has been very well maintained and added to. Even so, no matter what time of the year I visit The Chedi Muscat, it’s never busy. The hotel grounds are sprawling, so hotel guests tend to spread out.

Location

The Chedi Muscat is located on Ghubra Beach, part of which has been sectioned off and is the hotel’s private beach. However, it should also be mentioned that the beaches along this stretch of the Omani coast are not as nice as those in Dubai for example. Also, in the summer the sand is baking, and you’re likely to burn the soles of your feet trying to get to the water. And when you do, the sea is tepid.

The journey from As-Seeb Airport to The Chedi is about 25 minutes by car.

The hotel is laid out like an enormous ottoman seray. There is the main building with reception, the restaurants and rooms. And then there are the individual villas, the pool areas, outdoor restaurants, and the spa which are arranged around a series of courtyards that are connected through a vast and lush garden that is exceptionally well maintained. It’s a truly beautiful hotel that reminds me a lot of Al-Hambra in Granada.

The hotel has three pools. One is for all guests and is closest to the main building. It has a pool restaurant that is also open in the evenings and a good place to head to if you’re not in the mood to dress up for dinner or forgot to make a reservation.

Then there’s another pool by the beach, which also has its own bar and restaurant but only opens during the day.

And then there’s the adults only pool area that is farthest away from the rest of the hotel. This has a full length pool and a bar and is also open only during the day.

Check-In

Checking in at The Chedi Muscat is always a grand affair. You’re welcomed at the door and escorted into the cool atrium of the lobby, which is decorated to look like a stylised tent. In short sequence I’m brought an icy cold refreshing towel with a slight hint of lemongrass and a glass of orange juice with mint. And that is how check-in is processed. As we go, the young man checking me in inquires what my plans are for my stay and volunteers a few things to do and places to visit.

The Room

On this visit, I’m staying in a seray wing room in the main building. I figured the villa might be a bit of an overkill for just the one person. The room is on the first floor overlooking a quiet courtyard with a fountain. When I arrive late in the evening, it’s illuminated, and the reflection of water dances on the ceiling of my room.

The room is beautifully appointed and very well maintained. There are no signs of wear and tear and the finishings are obviously of good quality, with dark wood doors contrasting with the pristine white walls.

The bed is a large king dressed in crisp white linen. I’m not sure if this is one of those memory foam tempur mattresses, but what ever it is works really well for me.

The bathroom is enormous and also houses the walking-in wardrobe. The amenities are all by Aqua di Parma, which is one of my favourite scents. The shower is heavenly and a contender for a spot at the top of the list of the Knight of Malta’s favourite hotel showers.

Amenities

A Nespresso machine and kettle with a good selection of teas and coffee are also available in the room. In the evenings it’s nice to sit in darkness on the sofa opposite the bed watching the reflections from outside play out on the ceiling while sipping a nice cup of tea.

Dining

In the mornings, I head down for breakfast at the main restaurant as soon as it opens in the morning, before there are any other guests. It’s not as though the hotel ever gets very crowded or feels overly busy. But I just enjoy the atmosphere sitting outside in the warm, humid air. It’s very quiet.

Breakfast is a buffet and the abundance of choice is beyond belief. There’s so much variety, with many different types of cuisine available.

The Service & Staff

The service at The Chedi Muscat is flawless, the staff have impeccable manners. It’s not just that they’re polite, they’s just so very charming about it. On my first day at breakfast, one of the waiters, a gentleman from India, brings me a cafetière and some milk. A while later, when he notices it’s empty, he inquires if I’d like another one. I tell him “yes, please”, and jokingly add that as far as I’m concerned, you can never have enough coffee. The next morning, he brings me a cafetière without me even having to ask. And when I’m finished with it, he replaces it quickly and adds, “because you can never have enough coffee, right Sir?”. I find the whole exchange quite charming and typical of the attention to detail of all the staff I encountered at the hotel.

Conclusion

The Chedi Muscat is a lovely hotel. It’s always a pleasure to return here. It’s not just that the property is so stunningly beautiful and well taken care of. It’s also the atmosphere of the place that is very appealing and quite soothing. And the staff are simply super!