This stylish, contemporary resort makes for a sophisticated mid-haul beach retreat, a true escape from it all.
With its calming interiors and tranquil gardens set in 21 acres, Hajar mountain views and Gulf of Oman private beach, The Chedi is a luxury Muscat hotel to switch off and instantly turn onto ‘holiday mode’.
Interiors are spacious and simple, with Omani touches for a real sense of place. The palm tree encircled pools, private beach and the city’s largest spa offer plenty of settings to kick back and chill, or there’s the state of the art health club, the longest swimming pool in the Middle East and floodlit tennis courts for those feeling energetic.
Foodies are really spoilt for choice with some six restaurants and two lounges to pick from offering cuisines from around the world and al fresco spaces in abundance for dining with a view in the warm Middle East air.
Easy to get to with direct flights straight into Muscat, this 5-star hotel on the Gulf offers plenty of wow for a winter sun break for families and couples alike.
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Stay
The Chedi has 158 rooms and suites across six categories to provide plenty of choice, including Club rooms which come with bells and whistles for an enhanced luxury experience; such as breakfast, cocktails and canapés in the evening and limousine airport transfers.
Even at entry level though the experience is super high end. Think large windows letting in plenty of natural light and a range of views (beach, garden, swimming pools, city skyline or mountains), open-plan bathrooms with rain showers, daily fresh fruit, in-room Nespresso machines and Bose® Wave® music systems. In addition, a selection of The Chedi’s rooms boast a balcony or terrace for enjoying your morning coffee with a newspaper or a sundowner in privacy.
Eat
Guests of The Chedi Muscat rave about its dining options, with six restaurants and two lounges of award-winning quality.
In the main restaurant pick from everything from Italian tortellini to an Indian curry accompanied by live piano music in the evenings. Tuck into fresh seafood including local Omani lobster at The Beach Restaurant or try a tagine from the buffet at The Arabian Courtyard. Sushi rolls, salads and sandwiches are on the menu at The Serai Pool Cabana which is a great option for kids, while over at The Chedi Pool Cabana there’s a grown-up vibe with tapas and chilled lounge tunes. Fresh sushi and sashimi will tempt fans of Japanese cuisine at The Long Pool Cabana, then finally there’s The Lobby Lounge to cosy up with a magazine, snack and a drink.
Explore
Four hours ahead of GMT the hotel is about a 15 minute drive from the airport with flights from the UK taking around seven hours.
For those looking to venture out from the luxury parameters of the hotel there’s authentic Omani experiences to enjoy from souks to sands. Head to the Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve to get up close with these local sea creatures; visit the Nizwa Souk on a Friday morning for the animal auction; explore the dunes of Wahiba Sand in a 4x4; or take in a performance at The Royal Opera House Muscat.
Of course the region is known for its golf courses too, with numerous within a 15 minute drive of The Chedi.
Why here?
The private beach at The Chedi is 370m long and fully serviced, lapped by the Gulf of Oman and with shaded sun loungers to enjoy the view.
Three temperature-controlled swimming pools are set amidst the gardens, with The Chedi Pool exclusively for adults; The Long Pool – the region’s longest – also for adults; and the Serai Pool for all.
The two tennis courts are floodlit, there are complimentary yoga classes and a vast health and fitness centre with personal trainers and the latest Technogym equipment.
The Chedi boasts one of the largest spas in Muscat at 1500-square-metres. There are saunas and steam rooms, therapeutic and beauty treatments and restorative baths.
Pick up souvenirs or forgotten packing items at The Boutique.
Our take
Little wonder that since opening in 2003 The Chedi has regularly been named as one of the top 20 hotels in the Middle East in the Readers’ Choice Awards by Conde Nast Traveler.
While we love The Chedi to simply ‘fly and flop’, getting out and exploring Oman is definitely worth the time if you have it. Don’t miss what is considered the oldest market in the world, the Mutrah Souq, where you can wander the labyrinth of alleyways picking up local frankincense, Bedouin jewellery and unusual antiques.
