Muscat Hotels: A Guide by Location
Information to Help Travelers Find the Right Hotel in Muscat, Oman
© Rod Quin
Visitors to Muscat have a range of hotel areas to choose from. Options include business districts, residential areas, commercial centres and beachside resorts.
As well as price and facilities, location is an important factor in choosing a hotel. But finding a hotel in the right area can be difficult when planning a trip to an unfamiliar city. All too often travelers arrive at a hotel they have pre-booked to find that, while it has all the facilities advertised, the surrounding area is too noisy, too quiet, too far from the things they wish to see or just plain unattractive.
This article provides a guide to Muscat hotels by location to help visitors find the hotel in the area which is right for them.
Muscat stretches 32 km (20 miles) from Seeb Airport in the west to Al Bustan beach in the east and is made up of a number of distinct districts. The approximate geographic centre of Muscat is the administrative and retail area of Medinat Qaboos. The Oman Museum is located here.
Near the Airport
Seeb International Airport is 15 km (9 miles) from the centre of Muscat. Near the airport are the Golden Tulip and Novotel Seeb (both 4 stars), the Muscat Holiday Hotel and Al Bahjah (both 3 stars), and the Best Western Rusayl located in the nearby Rusayl industrial area.
Ghala
This is an industrial area 6 km (4 miles) west of central Muscat. The Holiday Inn Al Madina (3 stars) is situated here.
Al Ghubrah
Al Ghubrah is a business area about 3 km (2 miles) west of central Muscat. Here you will find the famously stylish Chedi (5 stars) on Boushar beachfront, the Majan Continental (4 stars) which offers suites and apartments as well as rooms, and the Bowshar (3 stars). This area is handy for the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Al Khuwayr
Al Kuwayr (or Khuwair) is a commercial area, adjacent to Medinat Qaboos, more suited to business travelers. Here are the Muscat Radisson SAS, Safeer Continental (both 4 stars) and the Holiday Inn Muscat (3 stars).
Qurm
Qurm, sometimes spelt Qurum, is the diplomatic residential area of Muscat, also adjacent to Medinat Qaboos, but on the coast. It is an attractive, generally quiet area with interesting architecture and a range of attractions, including Qurm Nature Park. There are a number of shopping malls in the area. Shatti Al Qurm is the beach area and is well-served by hotels. Here can be found
- the Grand Hyatt, Intercontinental and Sheraton Qurm Beach Resort (all 5 stars)
- the Coral, Ramada and Qurm Beach Hotel (all 4 stars)
- the Ramee Guestline, Beach Hotel, Holiday Villa and Best Western Muscat (all 3 stars)
- the Qurm Beach House (budget).
On a cliff on Qurm Heights overlooking the beach area is the Crowne Plaza Muscat (4 stars). It’s a steep walk down to the beach from the hotel but the views are stunning.
Ruwi
Ruwi is the busy commercial, financial and transport hub of Muscat, 10 km east (6 miles) of Medinat Qaboos. Besides shopping, attractions in Ruwi include the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum. Hotels here are handy for business travelers. Options here include:
- the Sheraton Oman (5 stars),
- the Haffa House and Mercure Al Falaj (both 4 stars)
- Novotel Ruwi (3 stars),
- Spring, Camilia, Al Raha and Al Wahfa Hotel Flats (all budget).
In nearby Wadi Al Kabir is the Golden Oasis (3 stars).
Muttrah
12 km (7.5 miles) east of Medinat Qaboos, Muttrah is one of the most lively and interesting areas of Muscat. Attractions in Muttrah include the Al Dhalam Souq and Muttrah is convenient for visits to Old Muscat. Muttrah is served mainly by budget hotels. Choices include
- the Corniche (1 star)
- the Muttrah, Marina, Naseem, Mina, Al Hadow and Al-Nahda (all budget).
Al Bustan
Al Bustan is a beach 18 km (11 miles) from central Muscat. Here is the world famous Al Bustan Palace (5 stars).
Barr Al Jissah
A further 8 km (5 miles) east along the coast, close to the Oman Dive Centre, is the Shangrila Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa. This consists of three hotels (all 5 stars):
- Al Waha (The Oasis) mainly for families
- Al Bandar (The Town) mainly for couples and business travelers
- Al Husn (The Castle), promoted as an exclusive six-star indulgence.
Hotel Contact Details
Contact details for most hotels in Muscat can be found at Destination Oman or Oman Access.
