The Al Bustan Palace (known locally as “The Bustan”) is one of the Middle East’s most iconic hotels. It was originally built as an Omani Royal Palace in 1985 to host the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the late Sultan Qaboos’ accession to power. In 2011, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company entered into an agreement with Oman’s Ministry of Tourism to acquire the full management of this legendary palace-turned-hotel, and gave it a multimillion-dollar refurbishment.
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Need To Know
The Headline Beachside luxury fit for a King (or Sultan!)
Best For Beachlovers with a taste for royal living
Amenities Olympic sized swimming pool and four onsite restaurants. Pristine private beach with non-motorised watersports on site. Fabulous spa and a full kids club programme.
Getting There Muscat International Airport is a 45-minute drive away. The hotel can arrange transfers or taxis can be picked up outside the main terminal building.
Getting Around Muscat is not a very walkable city, and The Bustan is a bit out of town, so you will either want to hire a car or rely on the reasonably priced taxis. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle service to the main sights.
Prices From £265 in low season; and £590 in high. Peak season is November to February.
THE LOCATION
Tucked between the rugged Al Hajar mountains and the Arabian Gulf and set in beautiful manicured gardens. The Bustan sits along one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in Muscat – a full kilometre of soft, pale sand. It is private access for the hotel only, being sandwiched between two large rocky outcrops, meaning you can feel totally relaxed swimming or strolling here in western-style swimwear.
The gardens are a real highlight for me – my British eyes miss the lush green countryside of the UK, and the gardens at the Bustan go a long way to soothe them! 200 acres of lawns and swaying palm trees hide sun loungers, hammocks and cabanas.
THE ACCOMODATION
Oman is usually very proud of the way it has retained its Arabian charm, and a more traditional nature than it’s glitzy neighbours. However, the Bustan is the big exception, and delivers the over the top opulence most visitors expect to find in the Gulf. From the outside, the fort-like building is not the most handsome (if stunning design is your thing, The Chedi might be a better pick), but inside is beautiful. The design is a mixture of Islamic and art deco influences, and even being the most glitzy of the Omani hotel offerings, retains an elegant atmosphere.
The majestic 38 metres of domed atrium (to give a sense of scale – this is one third the height of the Eiffel Tower!) with its spectacular chandelier, gleaming marble floors and wafting incense is reminiscent of a cathedral. Albeit it a very, very sparkly cathedral! Traditional Omani architecture often draws on symbolic designs, and the Bustan is no different. The height of the atrium is the same as the mountain that once stood on this site. The central chandelier happens to boast the largest number of crystals in a hotel’s chandelier anywhere in the world- but I am not sure that has any symbolic significance!
Each of the hotel’s 250 rooms have private balconies, with views onto either mountain, sea or gardens. Rooms and suites are spread over eight floors – the ninth floor being reserved exclusively for use by the Sultan of Oman. Rooms are as you would expect in a Ritz Carlton property – classic French-inspired teal, white and silver, with tastefully opulent furniture and marble bathrooms. Mini bars contain complimentary soft drinks, and a welcome fruit bowl and slice of chocolate cake is provided on arrival.
We absolutely love the lagoon rooms, and think they are totally worth the extra cost for the luxury of being able to roll out of bed onto your private terrace and straight into the swimming pool. Although probably advisable to stop along the way to pop on a swimming costume…
My other favourite feature of the Lagoon Rooms is the bath – stocked with Asprey London toiletries – which looks out through a large glass window all the way through to the swimming pool (although there is also a very effective privacy switch too!).
THE EXTRAS
The service at the Bustan is excellent – staff are friendly, knowledgeable and efficient.
There are four restaurants onsite. Al Khiran is the main restaurant, offering international buffets for breakfast and dinner. The breakfast spread is vast, and really excellent. Fresh seafood is served at the Beach Pavilion and the signature Asian restaurant, China Mood, is particularly good – we are always really impressed by the dim sum. The open-air Blu restaurant, between the beach and main pool, does standard poolside grub – burgers, pizza and sandwiches.
Afternoon tea is served in the atrium and it has become our go-to treat to celebrate special occasions. Even if you don’t stay at the Bustan I would strongly recommend adding a trip here for afternoon tea to your itinerary. The cakes and sandwiches are always excellent – and locally inspired – and I think great value for a bit of indulgence (12.50 OMR – one portion is plenty for two people).
The main pool is an Olympic-sized strip running from the hotel down to the beach, and there are two quieter lagoon pools in front of either wing of the hotel. There is also a really great children’s pool – complete with pirate ship. There is a small watersports hut on the beach, offering kayaks, SUP and a small dinghy. Motorised watersports are available to book offsite.
There is a really fantastic Six Senses Spa – including a ladies beach and spa – which has been designed to emulate a traditional Omani fort. They offer an extensive range of treatments – although I recommend booking in advance. There is also a well equipped, modern gym and several tennis courts.
I am a bit jealous that I am too old for the Ritz Kids programme – wide ranging activities include reef snorkelling, table tennis, henna tutorials, Omani culture workshops, Arabian tales story-telling or a hotel tour to meet the palace’s famous coffee man. There is also a special check in desk for children that I would have absolutely loved when I was little.
THE LESS LOVEABLE
There are no adult only areas, which is a pity for a hotel of this size, and at times the main pool can get a bit boisterous when the hotel is full.
The location of The Bustan is both a perk and a slight downside! It is slightly out of town – which gives it its beautiful beachfront setting – but this also means there is little to see in the immediate vicinity and you will need a vehicle to get around. However, I don’t think this should put you off as the hotel offers complimentary daily shuttles to the main sights, and taxis are reasonable priced. The super National Museum is only ten minutes by car and the famous Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a 25 minute ride away.
As with all licensed hotels in Oman, although the food at all three restaurants is fantastic, it is extremely expensive. There are some good restaurants in nearby Muttrah and Sidab so I would recommend heading out to each for at least one evening, both to savour some local flavours and save a fair amount of cash!
Don’t forget to check out my other guides to Oman if you are planning a visit. And if a trip to the Middle East isn’t on the cards for you for now, check out my other favourite places to sleep for inspiration for travels elsewhere.
Diana Carter says
Thank you for this helpful comment! Im going with my ladies to Oman next week and we will stay in Al Bustan , i can’t wait! we will also stay in Jebel Akhdar and do trekking
https://carter.eu/kierunki/afryka-polnocna-bliski-wschod/oman
@farawaydispatches says
Have a fabulous trip!