The Chedi Muscat, Oman: It Was Well Worth The Wait (Archives)
We waited 10+ years to experience The Chedi Muscat. It was worth it. The Chedi Muscat’s tasteful luxury is a benchmark for other Middle Eastern resorts.
I am sharing some posts from the archives with updates. You can also read the original article on EatGoSee. If you like or love this review, why not like it, share it with a friend and subscribe!
The Chedi Muscat’s overall proposal
The Chedi Muscat is considered one of the best hotels in Oman and the Middle East. It is a low-rise, sprawling, yet intimate resort for those yearning for secluded, exclusive luxury and who are prepared to pay for it.
I originally came to the UAE in 2011. “The Chedi”, replied everyone when asked where to stay in Muscat. Pricing prohibited me then, but life’s been good to me since, and my Omani white whale came within reach over 10 years later.
On arrival, a hit of rich incense, a roll of fresh, chilled towels and a sip of cold drinks followed by swift check-in and a walk through a labyrinth of corridors and gardens revealed.
The Chedi Muscat knows when to be understated and personal. It is both palatial and restrained, especially in comparison to UAE resorts. It wows where it matters and shuns the gaudy rot of nouveau riche that’s taken root throughout Dubai. You are going to pay a lot of coin at The Chedi Muscat, so read on to see if it is for you.
I doubt you’ll suffer in one of the lower-priced rooms, but the room decor, at these prices, leave something to be desired for me.
The Chedi Muscat’s One Bedroom Deluxe Club Terrace Room
Bedroom. The Chedi Muscat’s Club Terrace Rooms, at 49 square metres, are spacious, with ample room for a week’s stay. It is mostly open-plane between the bedroom, living room and wardrobes. There is a restrained, natural tone adopted throughout the room with off-white walls, warm woods and oversized windows allowing for light to flood into the room. The blinds afford more privacy. The bed is sturdy, firmer than say the oversized plush beds at Oberoi Al Zorah, Qasr Al Sarab or the Telal Resort Al Ain, but comfy nonetheless.
Ten points for the most charging points I’ve ever seen in a Middle East hotel room. A 42-inch flat-screen TV was never used. (Neither was the Bose Wave music system). The well-stock mini-bar (with fun, licensed and unlicensed drinks) is replenished daily at no extra charge. You can expect Nespresso capsules and Twinnings tea bags. The Wifi is reliable and fast.
There are moments in the decor and design where the Club Terrace Room lacks boutique touches (especially in the sofa living room area) and more practical decisions were taken: the furniture, the boxiness etc. I felt let down in some of those choices given the price point.
Bathroom. The bathrooms span the breadth of your room’s entrance with his and hers sinks and hanging wardrobes. There’s a rain shower inside a walk-in shower room stocked with Acqua Di Parma toiletries and a bench seating area for couples who might find that a fun feature. I’m sure you’ll think of something. The bathroom’s boasts more towels than Bloomingdales with thin comfortable robes. Hair dryers are also provided.
Outside terrace. A ten square metre, well-sized, terrace stretches the width of the room looking onto shared gardens and water features. While the rooms are terraced, not for a moment did I hear my neighbours. Privacy and solace remain intact. There is an option for a balcony room instead of the garden terrace. I recommend the garden terrace for the views, the babbling fountain and, frankly, the balcony rooms look a little stark and lack the charm of the garden terraces (but I did not go inside).
Other features. You are paying A LOT of cash for this room so – is it worth it? It’s very comfortable, spacious and enjoyable. However, I’m sure their other rooms are too. The terrace is a unique selling point and I wish I used it more during my stay. Water is refilled daily and every day laundry is complimentary up to 15 pieces (great for small families). Terrace Club guests have exclusive, complimentary access to the Club Lounge which includes a high tea, cocktails and canapes during the day. Lastly, there is the complimentary return chauffer service from the airport (about 15 minutes away).
Club Terrace Room – worth it? I’d say so, but I doubt you’ll suffer in one of the lower-priced rooms and the room decor, at these prices, leaves something to be desired for me.
I cannot overstate how warm and helpful the service team is at the Chedi Muscat.
The Chedi Muscat’s food and beverage
Overall. The Chedi Muscat sports six dining spots of varying formality. Most are casual from two that require long trousers for men, in keeping with the overall resort trend. You will eat just fine, but there is not a knock out, exciting restaurant here that excited me and it feels like The Chedi Muscat has missed a trick.
For the most part, the food and beverage service is done quite well, especially in the Chedi Pool Cabana for lazy lunches by the pool draped in Vilberquins and Orlebar Brown. The grilled catch of the day and the totemic watermelon and feta salad dressed with rocket and pomegranate molasses stood out positively. If only white wine was an option during our visit. The Club Lounge offers a complimentary tea service with light snacks and refreshments; a nice way to fill some time on the sun-drenched terrace or in the cooler Club Lounge atrium.
My only reservation is that, once again, such a luxurious hotel does not have a strong, destination restaurant among its offerings. Looking around, The Chedi Muscat is replete with well-travelled, discerning individuals. They are here, aren’t they? There’s an opportunity to dial up the food and beverage offering, even with a little 10-seater fine dining option. Frankly, I would re-purpose The Beach Restaurant which, on my visit, peaked at average. Overall, modernising F&B here would go down well.
Breakfast. The Restaurant doubles as The Chedi Muscat’s all-day diner and its main breakfast area. Expect the usual international buffet array (but done to a good standard) with some notable regional dishes like foul and shakshuka. Pastries, nuts, cereals, honey in beeswax, juices and more. There is also a la carte menu with omelettes, French toast, waffles etc. Note: there is also an in-room breakfast menu for those who prefer to stay indoors. Honestly, there is enough here to sustain your interest over a long weekend.
The Chedi Muscat, Family-Friendly?
The Chedi Muscat is family-friendly but finds the balance by demarcating the ‘Adults Only’ zones. Few things make my toes curl like the crowing of other people’s kids. I never heard screaming children during our stay. A shaded family-friendly pool area with cabanas and its own restaurant, the Serai Pool Cabana, which serves ‘international’ fayre. That’s code for burgers and such. Net, The Chedi Muscat is family-friendly in that tasteful way without clowns and bouncy castles and makes sure to isolate the more widely communicated children’s facilities to one corner of the hotel which is furthest away from the rooms and adults-only facilities. Nicely done.
The Chedi Muscat, a moment for the service team
I cannot overstate how warm and helpful the service team is at the Chedi Muscat. From finding local attractions to booking hotels and to an emergency pharmacy visit (shout out to Abdul, the driver, and Assam on the concierge in particular). The Restaurant as well as The Chedi Pool Cabana team are outstanding and very hard-working.
The Chedi Muscat’s facilities and excursions
Gym. The Chedi Muscat boasts an impressive gym with more equipment than anyone could possibly need for a weekend (or a week). Technogym free weights, plenty of weighted machines, treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, and bikes. Pilates equipment is available and more. Very impressive.
Wellness and spa. Above The Chedi Muscat’s gym is their lengthy spa featuring a tranquil reflection and relaxation room overlooking the ocean, the Long Pool and the hotel’s manicured gardens while an indoor water fountain trickles in the background. Reservations are essential and I can confirm their 60-minute Ancient Balinese massage was one of the top 3 best massages I’ve ever had (OM 54). Mrs EatGoSee’s 60-minute Triple Oxygen Glow Facial was exactly what she wanted (OM 59).
The Long Pool. It took this long to mention the Middle East’s longest pool at 103 metres! The dark grey and black tiling stretching along the length of the pool towards the Gulf of Oman is a striking feature of the hotel. Well worth a dip!
The other pools. The Pool Cabana features a partially shaded pool within reach of the bar restaurant lined with the kind of oversized, comfy day beds I wish I had at home. The Chedi Muscat’s crack team bring chilled water with plenty of refills regularly.
Outdoor activities. As you’d expect the Chedi Muscat curates and offers an itinerary of outdoor activities including hikes, water sports and tours of the surrounding area at different prices and durations. There are day trips to historical Nizwa, Desert Oasis Trails or wadi walks. Water sports enthusiasts n go dolphin watching, snorkeling or diving in the protected crystal-watered Daymaniyat Islands (worth a visit).
The Beach. Listen, I am the wrong person to talk to about beaches. But, in some ways, I’m very qualified. Being from the Caribbean I have very specific opinions about what makes a good beach. The Chedi Muscat indeed has a private beach lined with parasol-sheltered chaise lounges dotted across its stretch. There are plenty of gardens and places nearby to get cooling drinks. It’s just a shame it’s not a pretty beach. It’s nicely raked and they do a good job; but if you’re flying double-digit hours and paying $1000 a night to come for a sunny beach holiday, it’s not the idyllic paradise. Head further south to the Seychelles, Maldives or Mauritius.
The Chedi Muscat, Would I Go Back?
Without question. As we load the car with the few things we brought for three days, I can’t help but look online to see if there’s availability next Eid. The Chedi Muscat is for special occasions and treats. I waited over ten years to come to this property and it did not fail me. Except, seriously, can we get an excellent restaurant?
The Chedi Muscat, Who Should Go?
Discerning travellers hunting luxury, seaside resorts. Middle East residents searching for short-haul or road trip options. Long weekend stays. Outdoorsy folks who also want creature comforts.
The Chedi Muscat, 133 18th November St, Muscat, Oman. The One Deluxe Club Terrace Room averages around OM389 a night (US$1000). Other rooms are available. Find the latest information on The Chedi Muscat’s Website or call +968 24 524400.
I've always wanted to stay, but the somewhat dated, minimalist room approach and slightly generic design/offerings just don't do it for me (especially considering the price point and other offers in the city). I'm also sad the food offering has gone down. We visited for dinner some years ago, and it was a wonderful experience on the patio.