NetBrowser07

We'll probably be visiting Muscat for one day.. Will have the full day to tour.

Given that we are only there for one day, which one would be a better choice.. Crown Plaza or Holiday Inn Seet?

Are there any good companies for full day tours? Do they typically come to the hotel to pick you up?

Thanks

trebex

I don't know of any specific tour companies, but you if you know where you want to go, you can hire any taxi driver for the day. The hotel can arrange one for you, or ask the one who drives you from the airport.

sharp5flat9

Either hotel is fine. The HI is close to the airport and modern, spacious and good value. The staff are very friendly. However, the immediate area is unremarkable, the pool area is small and I believe it's still 'dry'. The CP is an older hotel but has extensive grounds down to the sea, lovely views and plenty of drinking opportunities.

Do you want a tour as a means of transportation, or to get some context as you travel around ? If you want to take the taxi option, I have a guy I know and would recommend. He's friendly and speaks excellent English.

Otherwise, look at a map, rent a car and plan your own itinerary. There's some fun driving to be had on the highways through the mountains.

Be aware that Muscat is spaced out over a wide area and you will be covering quite some distance. e.g. those two hotels are 20 miles apart.

flatlander

I had a car when I went there for a couple of days and I was glad of it. Driving standards are not great but not awful. Worse than most European, slightly better than California Bay Area - so entirely survivable. Petrol is extremely cheap. Parking was a bit of a pain near the souk but otherwise OK, and even by the (central) souk I just drove up and down for 10 minutes until I passed an empty space and grabbed it. Speed limits are enforced by many cameras, as are red lights in the city. Insulting someone, including giving them the finger when they cut you up on the road, is in theory punishable in law so remaining calm is a fine idea.

The souk is well worth a visit and a walk around, the Sultan Qaboos mosque is very impressive (go in the morning, it's only open to unbelievers in the morning in the long gap between morning and midday prayers, and go appropriately dressed). It's easy to go into the inland areas too and see the mountains and desert areas.

Oman has some really crazy geology, you can spend a long time looking at the landscape.

silver springer

We were just in Muscat and you can hire a taxi for 3 hours to do a city tour. There is a standard rate of 30 rials for this. While we were at the Grand Hyatt, we used Mohammed who spoke excellent English and went with us into the mosque for example. His email is [email protected]

Psychowildfire

You could also rent a car. It is easy to get around in Muscat. Maybe you can drive to the Wadi Shab. This is a 90 min drive from Muskat and a really nice place.