Sea, Sand & Sail in Amazing Oman

Located on the rocky slopes of Jabal Shams mountain, The View in Al Hamra boasts breathtaking views from its elevated platform of 4,593 feet. As the very first eco-luxe retreat of its kind in Oman, it features 30 unique and distinctively designed pod-style rooms, all enveloped in refreshingly exotic vegetation. They offer a tranquil sanctuary, overlooking the expansive valley below and feature a private balcony where guests can unwind and marvel at the compelling mountainous scenery. Nature takes pride of place here and pure, unrefined beauty is a theme that runs throughout the retreat. A temperature-controlled infinity pool is another attractive element, featuring a stunning backdrop as it ‘drops off’ into the valley below. By night, wooden fires are lit, creating an intimate setting to share experiences and adventures while admiring the distant glow of Al Hamra village deep down in the valley.

Rising like a surreal mirage out of the colorful Wahiba Sands, Desert Nights Camp is an exclusive five-star hotel in Oman. The fragrance of frankincense and myrrh greet guests upon arrival for a journey into an alluring Arabian world. Offering luxurious comfort in the form of Bedouin-style tents under a blanket of Arabian stars, the camp is an exceptional destination with exclusive air. Red sand dunes create a romantic backdrop for these intimate air-conditioned tents, complete with Omani-style decor and furnishings. An extravagant bathroom is the highlight of the room, featuring world-class amenities and golden tiles for a lavish and airy feel. All rooms open out to encompass panoramic scenes over the silken desert sands, offering serene and picturesque views.

The Ras Al Haad nature reserve is one of Oman’s hidden gems, located on the eastern shores of the secluded Arabian peninsula. The reserve is set in a scenic setting, where travelers can discover a surreal landscape of rugged mountains and golden deserts, hugged by an expansive 27-mile glistening shoreline. Established in 1996, the Ras Al Haad reserve prides itself as one of the largest nesting areas for green turtles in the Indian Ocean, as well as housing a number of exceptional, 6,000-year-old archaeological sites. The reserve offers a unique experience, where scenes of unspoilt coastlines and vibrant green oases are coupled with unparalleled sights of sea turtles nesting in their natural habitat. The Ras Al Haad offers an ideal ecotourism destination where travelers can witness the extraordinary nesting process of these majestic sea giants in a rare and virtually unseen world.

A stay at The Chedi in the Omani capital of Muscat is an experience like no other. Sitting on its own private beach, with the glittering waters of the Gulf of Oman on one side and views of the Al Hajar mountains rising up behind, yet right in the thick of the city, The Chedi is an urban oasis from its sultry, lantern lit lobby to its lush Moroccan gardens and sumptuous Balinese spa. Guests relax in rooms combining traditional Omani architecture balanced with influences from around the world for a sleek, elegant and ultimately relaxing experience. A culinary whistlestop tour is on offer with cuisines from nearby and as far afield as Europe and Southeast Asia, in artfully-designed restaurants, indoors beneath sparkling chandeliers and alfresco, with the sand underfoot. Leisure guests have every whim catered to with outdoor pools, a 13-suite spa, fitness club and souvenir boutique, while business guests can keep things afloat in the well-equipped business center.    

The rugged Al Hajar mountains make a rustic backdrop behind the fortress-like Al Bustan Palace, which overlooks a canopy of perfectly-manicured lawns and an expansive half-mile private beach. Authentic Arab influences run throughout the hotel and its 150 rooms to remind guests of the rich and ostentatious Arabian culture. Beautifully-designed interiors are an artistic combination of old and new, fusing local traditions and art deco hints to create a unique melange of Middle Eastern culture and art. Particularly notable is the spectacular 125-foot-high domed atrium lobby, which, along with the ornate wall covers and intricate carvings has earnt the hotel the extravagant reputation as the ‘Jewel of the Sultanate’. Its idyllic location and range of facilities gives guests the opportunity to indulge in a number of watersports or simply relax in one of the five outdoor pools. Four exquisite dining options from alluring beachfront restaurants provide guests with spectacular sea views while they savour exceptional flavors from around the world.

Just 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Muscat, Oman, the spectacular Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa sprawls over a rugged peninsula, reaching out into the crystal blue water of the Sea of Oman. Featuring a long, sandy beach and surrounded by mountains, this resort matches its spectacular natural environment with its exquisite design and architecture, calling back to times of Arabian Palaces and local markets. Guests may choose between three distinct hotels located across the property: Al Waha, “the Oasis,” a family-friendly hotel turned seaside paradise; Al Bandar, “the Town,” which serves as the shopping-and-eating hub of the resort, and the palatial Al Husn, "the Castle,” the most luxurious of them all. With world-class restaurants and seaside cafes and bars, a wide variety of water activities including sea kayaking and scuba diving, and –of course –CHI, The Spa, guests at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa will lose themselves in fun, in adventure, in luxury, and in style.