SET in 85,000 sq m of lush palm gardens with 370 m of private beach, The Chedi, Muscat offers modern facilities in a tranquil setting where it would be virtually impossible not to relax.
The hotel, 20 minutes north of Oman’s capital Muscat and a 15- minute drive from the airport, offers 60 standard ‘Serai’ and 60 club and club deluxe rooms as well as 36 club suites measuring a massive 67 sq m.
Most rooms look out either at the waters of the Gulf or the spectacular Hajjar Mountains with the suites positioned around a water garden.
Each suite has a super-soft kingsize bed as well as sofa beds in a separate living room which can accommodate two children up to the age of 12.
There is also an outdoor balcony which is a great place to sit in the evening with a glass of something chilled while listening to your favourite band, you’re bound to find sounds to suit all tastes on the in-suite iPods which are pre-loaded with a huge selection of 1,500 pieces of music.
Dinner in the restaurant was a treat, there was a great deal of choice and I can thoroughly commend the Thai green curry.
And my favourite part of the whole Chedi experience was a trip to the beach, stretching out beyond the adults-only infinity pool (there’s a separate pool where children are welcome), the sea was inviting and within minutes of arrival an attendant had produced glasses of iced water which were kept refreshed the whole time we were there – now that’s what I call service.
I didn’t have a chance to try the spa but it comes highly recommended having been voted Best Spa in the region of Africa, Middle East and the Indian Ocean, by readers of Condé Nast Traveller earlier this year.
And I think the only slight moan I would admit about the whole place is that some additional signage would be good, it’s such a vast site that it’s easy to get lost. Mind you, wandering round for a while means you’re all the more ready for dinner or a swim when you reach where you are heading.
by Liz O’Reilly