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About Muscat
Oman’s largest city is a far cry from near-ish neighbour, Dubai. Almost all the action – dining, drinking, dancing, music – goes on in the International 5-star hotels. Oman is a very traditional Muslim country, so don’t expect to walk about hand in hand with your partner, or flaunt any sexual behaviour whatsoever.
Homosexuality in the Sultanate of Oman is illegal according to § 32 of the penal code and can be punished with a jail sentence of up to 3 years. In Oman it is said that cases only get to court if "public scandal" is involved.
We have listed some of the best straight venues to visit on your trip, and if you happen to get lucky whilst your away just be very careful and very discreet.
Muscat Hotels
Al-Nahda Resort & Spa
New-ish 5-star luxury spa resort from the Boutique Hotels Chain. Located less than an hour out of Muscat – a get-away-from-it-all option. Impressive in-house dining and drinking including a 24-hr International Restaurant. Plenty of activities tours etc going on but this is a retreat rather than a lively option.
PO Box 502Barka Sultanate of Oman
Tel No: +968 2688 3710
Grand Hyatt Muscat
One of the largest and most opulent hotels Muscat has to offer. Exactly what you’d expect from an upmarket chain in this wealthy Sultanate. Top location in the diplomatic/government district overlooking the beach at Shatti Al Qurum. Plenty happening in here including 3 restaurants, 2 bars and a nightclub.
Shatti Al QurmP.O. Box 951
Tel No: +968 24 64 1234
InterContinental Muscat
5-star luxury bang in the heart of the city. The perfect balance of Arabian hospitality and international-class accommodation. Six restaurants/bars in-house and an ideal location for going elsewhere if necessary. Also includes The Palm Beach Club with all the main sport/leisure options covered.
PO Box 398Tel No: +968 2468 0000
The Chedi Muscat
European-style luxury hotel blended with some authentic Omani architecture. Great location with views of the Gulf Indian Ocean and the mountains. Good in-house dining and drinking, but this is generally a cilled-out place. Laid-back luxury that would fit into any major city.
North Ghubra 232Way No. 3215
Street No. 46Tel No: +968 24 52 4400
Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Luxurious three-hotel resort village from Shangri-La. A new addition to the burgeoning subgenre of over-the-top Persian Gulf mega hotels. Three options here Al Waha, Al Husn (the pick-of-the-bunch) and the newer Al Bandra ’6-star’ luxury – absolutely everything you could possibly want is here.
Barr Al JissahTel No: +968 2477 6666
Coral Hotel Muscat
Elegant boutique hotel overlooking Shatti Al Qurum Beach. A bit different from some of the grander offerings – only 32 guest rooms. Not really a party venue but close enough to go elsewhere for fun. Lower-cost and worth it if you want a smaller quieter base.
Qurum BeachTel No: +968 2469 2121
Muscat Bars / Club
Club Safari
Popular three-level entertainment venue in the Grand Hyatt. Features a games room pub and a rooftop grill house. The hotel has a reputation for some of the best eating and drinking in the city. Open ’til 2am with plenty to keep you entertained.
Grand Hyatt MuscatShatti Al Qurm
P.O. Box 951Tel No: +968 2464 1234
Cellar Bar
One of the in-house options at the Radisson SAS. Clientele is pretty mixed including hotel guests locals and expats. Multi-screen sports bar during the day but lively at night – DJ or live music ’til the early hours. Quite a few good options in here whether you’re looking for chilling or partying.
P.O. Box 939Tel No: +968 2448 7777
Al Maha Piano Bar
Upmarket bar at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Hotel. Popular stop for well-heeled locals and expats. Deep leather seats great range of drinks etc etc – you know the score. Good place to start-off or wind-down the night.
Al Bustan Palace InterContinental MuscatPO Box 1998
MuttrahTel No: +968 2479 9666
Copacabana
Perhaps the city’s only real Western-standard nightlcub. Don’t expect anything too impressive but it does get busy in here -Music and layout are eclectic and so’s the clientele. ‘Couples-only’ rule ’til about midnight then the door staff lighten-up a bit.
Grand Hyatt MuscatShatti Al Qurm
Tel No: +968 2464 1234
Al Ghazal Bar
Muscat’s answer to an English pub does a decent job of it. Expect pints of ale, pub quizzes, western pub grub etc. Clientele is mainly expat and young-ish. Popular spot for relaxed big screen sports-watching.
Muscat Intercontinental HotelPo Box 398
Tel No: +968 2468 0000
Piano Lounge
Trendy lounge inside the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah. Boasts a pretty cool long terrace overlooking the Gulf of Oman. Clientele is mainly expat plus well-to-do locals. Impressive drinks list in this upmarket venue – good shout for wine buffs.
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & SpaPO Box 644
Tel No: +968 2477 6666
Muscat Restaurants
The Beach Restaurant
Impressive restaurant inside Muscat’s stunning Chedi Hotel. Seafood platters and Asian fusion fish dishes are the big things here. Cool setting – food is served under beach umbrellas overlooking the Gulf. Surprisingly inexpensive given the quality and the venue.
The Chedi MuscatP.O. Box 964
Al KhuwairTel No: +968 2452 4400
Bin Ateeq
Traditional Omani restaurant that’s part of a national chain. Acclaimed as being one of the best for serving-up authentic dishes. Dining is on woven rugs at low tables in private rooms. Probably the best bet if you want to try Omani food when you’re here.
Al KhuwairTel No: +968 24 478 225
Al Khiran Terrace
Upmarket in-house offering at the InterContinental Al Bustan Palace Hotel. French chef but an impressive Italian-influenced menu. Attractive setting overlooking the pristine beach. Good option for wine lovers too – the list here is wide-ranging.
Al Bustan Palace HotelMuttrah
Tel No: +968 2479 9666
Mumtaz Mahal
Probably the best Indian restaurant in town. Attractive location on a hilltop perch overlooking Qurm Natural Park. North Indian food is the speciality here – good-enough to keep the resident Indians satisfied. Also boasts one the finest wine lists in the whole of Oman.
P.O.Box 1142Way 2601 Qurm
MuttrahTel No: +968 2460 5907
D’Arcy’s Kitchen
Immensely-popular city cafe/restaurant. Perfect beachfront location just metres from one of the Intercontinental Hotels. This is the place to go if you have to have some western-style pub/cafe grub. Far from expensive but look out for the early-ish closing time in the evening.
Way 2817Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Shatti Al QurumTel No: +968 2460 0234
The Golden Oryx
20+ year old Chinese restaurant serving-up Szechuan, Cantonese, Thai and Mongolian dishes. Seen by many as the best Chinese in town. Good business or pleasure shout – more elegant relaxed than lively noisy. One of the city’s smartest non-hotel options.
P.O. Box 1136Ruwi
Tel No: +968 2470 6128
Muscat Arts, Culture and Leisure
Rocklands
Live rock venue inside the Ramee Guestline Hotel. A new-ish kid on the block that’s more solid than hip. Doubles as a steak bar (every licensed bar/club in Muscat has to have a restaurant too). Good spot for options nearby before you head here.
Ramee Guestline Hotel QurumP.O.Box 594
MuttrahTel No: +968 2456 4443
Oman Dive Centre
Unique dive resort which includes accommodation restaurant and bar. Located east of the city centre in one of the bays at Bandar Jissah. The company organises daily dolphin-watching, snorkelling and diving trips. Watersports are pretty big around here and there are plenty of opportunities.
P.O. Box 199Medinat Sultan Qaboos
Tel No: +968 2482 4240
Ocean Blue Sailing Trips
Full-day sailing trips departing from Marina Bandar al-Rowdha. Sailing on a traditional dhow is the best way to take-in Muscat’s impressive coastline. Daily trips between Saturday and Thursday. Packages available to suit all budgets.
Marina Bandar al-RowdhaTel No: +968 2473 7818
The Wave Golf Club
World-class Greg Norman-designed 18-hole layout. Part of the upmarket Wave development begun in 2006 and finishing in 2011. Great facilities in a genuine luxury resort. Includes a two-level clubhouse with all the country club amenities you’d expect.
PO Box 87Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos
Tel No: +968 2454 5428
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
A Muscat must-see no matter your religion. Huge and gleaming mosque of over 40000 square metres. Non-Muslims can visit between 9am and 12pm each day. Free to enter and worth a look if you want to be impressed.
GhubrahRuwi
Desert Discovery
Oman-based business that runs the Al Areesh Desert Camp at Wahibah Sands. Fenced-in overnight camps in the Omani desert. Daytime activities include sand skiing etc. Something a bit different if you need to get out of the city.
PO Box 99MQ
Tel No: +968 2449 3232