CHECK IN: THE CHEDI, OMAN

I first saw a photograph of Muscat’s Chedi Hotel about ten years ago, and knew instantly that I wanted to stay there! Long before we had any idea we would ever live in Oman, I would pester The Husband with pictures of its gorgeous pool and grand plans for an Omani roadtrip! So it is very exciting to have finally made it here, and now live in the city with this gorgeous hotel down the road. I still pester The Husband, but it is just harder for him now to come up with reasons we can’t go to the The Chedi for a pool day every week…

Oman is well known for its hospitality, and increasingly as a destination for luxury travel, and the Chedi delivers on both. It is managed by the ultra-luxe GHM brand, which is known for its design hotels. 

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THE LOCATION

The Chedi covers 21 acres of secluded courtyards, beautiful Islamic architecture and swaying palm trees. The clever design means even when the hotel is full, it does not feel crowded. Just fifteen minutes from Muscat’s international airport, it has private beachfront access on one side, and views across the city to the Hajar mountains on the other. It is an easy ten taxi ride to the famous Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and about twenty minutes to the laid back port of Muttrah and historic Old Muscat.  

THE ACCOMODATION

Definitely the most elegant hotel in Muscat. Words can’t really do justice to how stunning the blend of sleek modern architecture and traditional Arabian design is. I love the unique design of the lantern-strewn, Bedouin-inspired tent lobby.White minimalist villas are set around geometric ponds and water channels designed to mimic the Omani falaj irrigation systems. At night, the gardens are lit with candles and fairy-lights. It has an unquestionably zen-like atmosphere that almost forces you to relax! 

All 158 rooms have views over either the Arabian Gulf, or the manicured gardens and courtyards. There are several categories of rooms, ranging from the standard Serai rooms to spacious club suites. 

The basic Serai rooms have a comfortable queen-sized bed, cozy seating area and an open plan bathroom, with a large and powerful rain shower (which doubles as a steam room). Chedi Club Suites are very spacious, with their own balcony, living room, king-sized bed, and bathroom with a sunken terrazzo bathtub and separate rain shower. All rooms are decorated in the Chedi’s signature minimalist design: neutral tones, high ceilings, dark floors, and the carved wooden and tortoiseshell details. 

Unusually for Oman, the mini bars in standard rooms come stocked with complimentary beer, and the suite rooms with a wider range of alcoholic beverages. In room Nespresso machines see to your caffeine cravings. I loved the gorgeous smelling Acqua di Parma toiletries, and The Husband appreciated the Bose music system.

THE EXTRAS

The Chedi has six restaurants and two lounges, all serving a mixture of Arabic and international cuisine: The Restaurant, The Beach Restaurant, The Shisha Courtyard, The Arabian Courtyard, the Long Pool Cabana, the Serai Pool Cabana, the Chedi Pool Cabana, and the Lobby Lounge.

The Beach Restaurant is a fantastic seafood restaurant (I had the biggest sea bass I have ever seen with an amazing yuzu sauce), and the Long Pool Cabana serves great Asian inspired dishes, including decent sushi. The Restaurant is one of my top picks for brunch, whether you are staying at The Chedi or not. 

Three swimming pools, including the Middle East’s longest pool at 103 metres. The imaginatively named Long Pool is adults only, as is the infinity Chedi Pool with its views out onto the Arabian Gulf. The Serai Pool is open to all ages.

The wood panelled gym is one of the beautiful I have seen, with treadmills and other gym kit divided up by elegant mashrabiya screens. There are also two tennis courts and in-house yoga and Pilates classes. 

The Chedi also houses one of the Muscat’s largest Spas and it is undoubtedly one my favourite features of the hotel. The treatment rooms are gorgeous, and the lounge – with its views out on the Arabian Gulf – is without doubt one of the most beautiful I have seen. Treatments offered are predominantly Balinese and Ayurvedic and my Balinese massage was one of the best of my life! 

For guests staying in a Deluxe Club Room, Deluxe Club Terrace Room or Chedi Club Suites, there is also access to the Club Longue. This offers complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and canapés. 

THE LESS LOVEABLE

Service is friendly but can be very slow, and given the room prices, noticeably hit and miss. 

The private beach gives the hotel a lovely setting against the Arabian Gulf, but it is not the prettiest stretch of beach on offer. If a pristine beach is your main concern, I’d recommend looking at the Shangri La or the Al Bustan Palace further down the coast.

As with all licensed hotels in Oman, although the food at The Chedi is fantastic, it is extremely expensive. There are some great restaurants in Muscat so I would recommend getting out into the city to eat for at least one of your evenings here, both to savour some local flavours and save a fair amount of cash! 

The biggest downside, is the price of the non-Club rooms (Serai and Deluxe). Although the beauty of the hotel means you will want to spend most of your time out of your room and in the gorgeous grounds, I think they are expensive for what you get. Minimalism seems to have extended to the point of being basic… at that price I would expect a balcony at least, and the rooms to be slightly more luxurious and spacious. The Club rooms are undeniably gorgeous, so I would recommend looking for a club room on a deal to feel you are getting better bang for your buck. 

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.