Review: Al Bustan Palace in Muscat – a Ritz Carlton hotel made for royalty
Ever fancied staying in a royal palace? If you are on holiday in Oman, booking into the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat is your chance. While it is now a Ritz Carlton hotel rather than the Sultan’s private entertainment venue, it still has plenty to wow travellers looking for a luxurious stay not far from the bustle of the capital.
But just how opulent is it? I checked into one of the hotel’s top floor Presidential Suites to find out.
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What’s the history of the Al Bustan Palace
This decadent 5 star beach hotel boasts plenty of history. It was built by the late Sultan Qaboos to host the 1985 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and continued to be a home away from home for his special guests.
Dignitaries would have been greeted in the incredible 38 metre high lobby. At the centre of this is a crystal chandelier reminiscent of the ones in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This is complemented by ground to dome geometric tiling, marble floors and gold embellishments. It is a space designed not just to impress but to showcase the best of Arabic architecture.
In 2011, Marriott’s prestigious Ritz Carlton brand took over running of the hotel, but it still hosts visiting royalty and foreign leaders. Oman’s parliament is a few minutes drive away and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has his official residence, Al Alam Palace 12 minutes away. So staying here puts you in the heart of the Sultanate’s administrative district.
What kind of experience does Al Bustan Palace offer?
As you might expect of a hotel used to welcoming the Gulf’s elite, the service is impeccable. I was staying with a group of friends and we were greeted warmly even before we revealed we had booked a Presidential Suite.
I’ll share more about our suite soon, but whatever room you book you have access to the hotel’s five pools, including a 50 metre infinity pool, a private 1 km long beach, spa and gym. Yes, I even popped in for a workout overlooking the tennis courts and sea view.
The Al Bustan is nestled between the sparkling Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains. Dhows regularly sail across the horizon and you can snorkel on the reefs just off the beach. Drinks are available from the poolside bar and I can highly recommend sundowners at The Pavilion beachside restaurant.
This is a destination hotel where it would be easy to park yourself on a sun lounger and enjoy some winter sun.
But the Al Bustan Palace is also great for families, and in a good location for exploring Muscat’s older quarter and striking out to explore the city’s more modern sights.
Accommodation options at Al Bustan
The Al Bustan has 250 rooms and suites which were last refurbished in 2018. The decor strikes a balance between elegance and modern design with subtle nods to Omani heritage.
You can pick from mountain, pool or sea views with rooms accommodating between two and five people. There are even rooms with direct access to the lagoon pools from their private terraces.
Junior family suites or connecting rooms are the best choice for those travelling with children.
If you’re here for a special occasion, like me, I can highly recommend checking out the Presidential Suites where the lobby’s wow factor continues.
A tour of our Presidential Suite
I booked room 821, the Sohar Presidential Suite, with a group of friends celebrating or commiserating our final weeks living in Oman. It was a chance to spend quality time together before the busyness of an international move. We were also staying in Oman’s low season, so the cost of the suite was considerably less than the peak season price tag.
Through the double doors is a sweeping entrance hall leading to a plush lounge where we were greeted with pasties, fruit and a solid chocolate Khanjar (traditional Omani knife) on a bed of chocolate pebbles.
Off either side of the hall are meeting rooms and a dining room with a door connecting to the adjoining suite if you require more than two bedrooms.
It’s easy to imagine this being used as a temporary residence by visiting statesmen and their entourage.
Everything from the carved doors to the mirror polished tables and geometric patterned floors and ceilings made this a space fit for royalty. There was even a palatial walk in wardrobe off the master bedroom and a freestanding bath tub.
Check rates for all room types.
Guest facilities
Here’s all you need to know about the facilities at Muscat’s Ritz Carlton hotel:
The swimming pools
We spent most of our 24 hour stay at the infinity pool which is flanked by sun beds where you can have food and drinks delivered to you at the click of a button.
There are even more beds along the lawned sea front, broken up by fountains and palm trees, and over by the dedicated children’s pool complete with slides, a splash park and playground.
The deliberate separation of the children’s area from the main pool makes for a calm atmosphere to match the grand hotel and sea views. As a group of mums on a day off parenting, this was very welcome.
There is also a Ritz Kids program with organised activities for younger guests in the peak season.
Al Bustan Beach
At high tide the beach is a band of white sand, lapped by the turquoise sea. As the tide withdraws you can see some of the rocky reef that attracts turtles and tropical fish to the bay. Water shoes are a good idea if you decide to swim here to protect your feet from sharper rocks.
If you want to get out on the water you can hire kayaks, board boards and paddle boards at the beach.
The Ladies Beach
Modesty is very important to Omani women, but that doesn’t they all shun western clothing and relaxing on beaches. However donning swimwear and sunbathing must be done privately, and the Al Bustan is the only place in Muscat where you will find a beach reserved for ladies.
This hidden gem, which can only be accessed through the hotel’s spa, has a sandy cove, sun beds and a restaurant staffed by women.
Access to the beach is available to hotel guests, ladies using the spa and non-residents who buy a specific day pass for this beach. Day passes are also available for the Al Bustan’s other facilities, and includes credit for food and drinks.
The gym
Usually I stay at hotels with my family including two active girls who love nothing better than getting in the sea or whizzing down the pool slides. This time I had a glorious free hour to check out the gym.
This is located away from the main hotel building and, if you’re thinking of visiting in the hottest part of the day (or, like us, in June when the whole day is steaming) golf carts are available to transport you to the leisure complex.
Inside there are locker rooms and a small but well-equipped gym with a view over the hotel’s gardens towards the sea. I did a few km on the treadmill and some free weights before getting back to the serious business of relaxing by the pool.
Ritz standard dining at Al Bustan Palace
There’s room service around the clock and eight places to dine across the hotel with everything from traditional Omani dishes to seafood and a good helping of Western cuisine.
We ordered lunch from the BLU pool bar where you can choose salads and small appetisers, burgers, bowls of pasta and pizza to have at your lounger or seated by the bar. There’s also a kids menu with all their favourites on offer, plus gluten-free pasta for delicate tummies.
Lunch was late – us ladies can lose hours chatting – so we moved straight on to fizz and gin at The Pavilion with the sunsetting over the mountains to the west.
A buffet breakfast in Al Khiran Kitchen was just what we needed the following morning. We had the choice of Arabic, continental and western breakfast dishes with eggs cooked to order. Everything was deliciously fresh and the speciality coffees kept coming.
If you spend longer at the Al Bustan, there are Italian and Asian restaurants to try. And if you are staying on a Friday, the afternoon brunch is a special dining experience. Find out more about dining at the Al Bustan Palace.
What is the dress code for Al Bustan Palace?
While the Al Bustan is one of Muscat’s more luxurious hotels, there is not a strict dress code during the day. However, you are in a Muslim country, so baring too much flesh in the wrong situation would be culturally insensitive.
Swim suits and bikinis are OK by the pool and on the beach, but you will need to cover shoulders and knees when you have lunch or return through the hotel to your room.
At dinner, men are expected to wear long trousers, a shirt and smart shoes or sandals. Women should either wear a cocktail dress or long skirt/trousers with a blouse and smart footwear. Trainers, flip flops, sleeveless tops, skirts above the knee and sportswear are not appropriate.
For more tips about what to pack for your holiday take a look at my guide to what to wear in Oman including culturally aware outfits for excursions.
Where is the Ritz Carlton in Muscat?
Al Bustan Palace is located to the east end of Oman’s capital in a coastal area backed by the rocky Hajar Mountains.
It is a 33 minute drive from Muscat International Airport. If you are not intending to hire a car the easiest way to reach the hotel is by taxi. These are available on Level 0 of the airport or the hotel concierge can help you arrange this in advance.
Tip: it will be cheaper to grab a taxi when you land. Also be aware that there is a premium to pay for taxis to collect you from hotels. Hiring a car may work out cheaper over a number of days if you intend to sightsee.
Things to do nearby
If you want to explore Muscat during your stay check out my suggested three day itinerary which allows you to cover the must see sights and activities. If you are more limited on time here are a few highlights:
Dhows and boat trips
A short six minute drive from the grounds of the Al Bustan is Marina Bandar Al Rowdha from where you can take dhow cruises and dolphin watching tours.
If you would like to go snorkelling with turtles, trips to the Daymaniat Islands depart daily from Al Mouj Marina, which is 45 minutes from Al Bustan Palace. However, allow more time if you book a morning trip as rush hour traffic is heavy.
Old Muscat
A 15 minute drive to the north of the hotel is Muscat’s oldest area, Muttrah, which is home to some of the city’s iconic attractions.
Browse the souq, climb Muttrah Fort or visit the National Museum to explore Oman’s rich heritage and culture.
Take a look at my full guide to things to do in Muttrah.
Modern Muscat attractions
The highlights of modern Muscat such as Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the National Opera House, Qurum Park and the city’s malls are all within half an hour of Al Bustan Palace.
Take a look at my guide to things to do in Muscat for a round up of all the must-see attractions.
Final thoughts on Al Bustan Palace Ritz Carlton
If you are looking for a high end beach hotel in Muscat, Al Bustan Palace fits the bill and more. It is steeped in history and beautifully pays homage to its heritage as an Omani royal palace.
Its rooms and restaurants go beyond the luxury you would expect from the Ritz Carlton brand and offer an experince that is unmistakably Arabian.
Not only that, it is set in a beautiful location and is the perfect base for boat trips along the rugged coastline and exploring Muscat’s old city.
Check availability for your stay on booking.com.
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