Oman Recommendations
Feb 10, 2022, 3:59 pm
#121
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 138
I am planning a short trip to Oman prior to Cairo, and could use some help with itinerary suggestions. My partner and I are very familiar with tight itineraries to visit a bit of everything.
That said, I will be arriving to MCT/SLL sunday morning (3/4am), and leaving to Cairo wednesday 3pm (so that is total of 3.5days in Oman). I would like to use my Hyatt points to stay in the Alila properties, but it seems that visiting both properties would be rather ambitious/ridiculous/unreasonable.
I am considering the following options:
That said, I will be arriving to MCT/SLL sunday morning (3/4am), and leaving to Cairo wednesday 3pm (so that is total of 3.5days in Oman). I would like to use my Hyatt points to stay in the Alila properties, but it seems that visiting both properties would be rather ambitious/ridiculous/unreasonable.
I am considering the following options:
- Fly directly to Salalah, drive and stay at Alila Hinu Bay for 2 nights, and fly to Muscat tuesday evening, and spend the night in Muscat, early start wednesday for Muscat sightseeing prior to my flight
- Fly directly to Muscat, drive to Alila Jabal and spend 2 nights, drive back to Muscat tuesday afternoon, spend the night in Muscat, early start wednesday for Muscat sightseeing prior to my flight
- Fly directly to Salalah, drive and stay at Alila Hinu Bay for 1 night, fly to Muscat Monday night, early start Tuesday for Muscat sightseeing, then drive to Alila Jabal, spend the night, Wednesday late morning drive to airport for flight
Feb 10, 2022, 8:50 pm
#122
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
I am planning a short trip to Oman prior to Cairo, and could use some help with itinerary suggestions. My partner and I are very familiar with tight itineraries to visit a bit of everything.
That said, I will be arriving to MCT/SLL sunday morning (3/4am), and leaving to Cairo wednesday 3pm (so that is total of 3.5days in Oman). I would like to use my Hyatt points to stay in the Alila properties, but it seems that visiting both properties would be rather ambitious/ridiculous/unreasonable.
I am considering the following options:
That said, I will be arriving to MCT/SLL sunday morning (3/4am), and leaving to Cairo wednesday 3pm (so that is total of 3.5days in Oman). I would like to use my Hyatt points to stay in the Alila properties, but it seems that visiting both properties would be rather ambitious/ridiculous/unreasonable.
I am considering the following options:
- Fly directly to Salalah, drive and stay at Alila Hinu Bay for 2 nights, and fly to Muscat tuesday evening, and spend the night in Muscat, early start wednesday for Muscat sightseeing prior to my flight
- Fly directly to Muscat, drive to Alila Jabal and spend 2 nights, drive back to Muscat tuesday afternoon, spend the night in Muscat, early start wednesday for Muscat sightseeing prior to my flight
- Fly directly to Salalah, drive and stay at Alila Hinu Bay for 1 night, fly to Muscat Monday night, early start Tuesday for Muscat sightseeing, then drive to Alila Jabal, spend the night, Wednesday late morning drive to airport for flight
the true beauty around salalah is not around the hinu bay area.
but the hotel with the best vantage point at jabal akhdar is alila.
Jun 27, 2022, 9:23 am
#124
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,732
We stayed at the Hyatt in December, an old grand dame. It had a good lounge with a lovely large outdoor verandah. The hotel is dated but immaculate.
Jan 3, 2023, 6:02 pm
#125
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 715
Planning an Oman trip in Feb- Much like the OP, I booked the Chedi, Desert Nights, and Alila Jabal Akhdar over 10 nights.
Have entry restrictions loosened up any? We are aware of the evisa requirement. Also, having booked a terrace room at the Chedi, have they made any post-covid renovations or improved any? We are definitely most excited about the Alila. Any advice on excursions/city sightseeing tours?
Have entry restrictions loosened up any? We are aware of the evisa requirement. Also, having booked a terrace room at the Chedi, have they made any post-covid renovations or improved any? We are definitely most excited about the Alila. Any advice on excursions/city sightseeing tours?
Aug 13, 2023, 12:56 pm
#126
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Phila., USA
Programs: Amex FHR, Leaders Club
Posts: 24
I know it’s been 10 years since I last saw anything (posted here) about the red algae killing the fish/the fish smell at the resort - has anyone been in the last year or two who can comment on how the resort is now? Looking for a 5 day stay in late March/early April, but not if it’s still stinky!
thanks!
Aug 14, 2023, 1:24 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,643
I stayed at the Shangri-La Al Husn Resort this year. This is the adults only section of the resort and they most definitely monitor everyone to ensure it stays that way. Our room was excellent, not dated in any way, and the public areas are spectacular. There is also a private sandy beach with striking rock formations. We did notice, right across our visit to Oman, but especially in Muscat, the rapid rate of tourist development. It's not Dubai, and never will be (thanks be to Allah) but it's no longer the sleepy backwater it once was.
Aug 14, 2023, 12:36 pm
#128
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: GGL, UA 1MM
Posts: 486
I haven’t seen any good responses to this. Did you end up going?
I know it’s been 10 years since I last saw anything (posted here) about the red algae killing the fish/the fish smell at the resort - has anyone been in the last year or two who can comment on how the resort is now? Looking for a 5 day stay in late March/early April, but not if it’s still stinky!
thanks!
I know it’s been 10 years since I last saw anything (posted here) about the red algae killing the fish/the fish smell at the resort - has anyone been in the last year or two who can comment on how the resort is now? Looking for a 5 day stay in late March/early April, but not if it’s still stinky!
thanks!
Let me know if you have specific questions.
Last edited by 2358; Dec 9, 2023 at 4:53 am
Nov 1, 2023, 12:19 am
#129
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,021
We're staying at Alila Jabal around Xmas and were planning to get a car and drive. However, I can't figure out how to guarantee a 4WD car through kayak or similar search engines.
Could someone recommend a place to rent a car in Muscat / the airport?
Is it possible to use the CDW from my credit card in oman?
Thanks!
Could someone recommend a place to rent a car in Muscat / the airport?
Is it possible to use the CDW from my credit card in oman?
Thanks!
Nov 3, 2023, 4:31 pm
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,373
Stayed earlier this year. Did not notice a fish smell. Accommodation was good, if you stay would recommend a beach villa - large private pool and plenty loungers with doors opening onto the beach. Food on the whole was good, but service not quite up to what I would expect from a luxury hotel. Some nice experiences like breakfast, dinner at the top of the cliffs so you can enjoy the dawn, dusk. All communication with the hotel once you are there is over WhatsApp with your “butler”. We were disappointed with the excursions, as our guide spoke little English, and understood even less.
Let me know if you have specific questions.
Let me know if you have specific questions.
Nov 5, 2023, 7:18 am
#131
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: GGL, UA 1MM
Posts: 486
How's the water/diving? We're thinking of doing maybe 7-10 days, combining the Alila(Definitely Jabal, maybe Hinu?) with either the Ritz or the Six Senses if it warrants the drive up. Anything else new? How's the new Jumeirah? Seems like there's also another Anantara at the beach now (Al Baleed?)
Nov 5, 2023, 8:59 am
#132
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Dubai
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Accor Diamond, BA Gold, QR Plat
Posts: 355
How's the water/diving? We're thinking of doing maybe 7-10 days, combining the Alila(Definitely Jabal, maybe Hinu?) with either the Ritz or the Six Senses if it warrants the drive up. Anything else new? How's the new Jumeirah? Seems like there's also another Anantara at the beach now (Al Baleed?)
Dec 9, 2023, 2:22 am
#134
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: KF, MPC, BAEC // Bonvoy, WoH, Honors
Posts: 1,462
Recently stayed at the GH Muscat and cannot say I recommended it -- it's meant to be something of a "grand old dame" but I'd say it's mostly just old, without the charm. Not just architecture but furniture, pool loungers etc. Even towels and robes in rooms were very ragged. Apparently one wing will undergo complete renovations next year along with the pool area which hopefully should see it brought up to the standard of some of the newer properties in town.
For now - stay elsewhere.
For now - stay elsewhere.
