Mandarin Oriental Hotel

The kids club is well equipped, with lots of toys, costumes, a slide, drawing supplies, and a TV for watching Peppa. There’s also an EV charger at the hotel. You need to bring your own cable, and the staff plug it in for you. The beachside location and views are beautiful, and Mall of Oman is a short drive away. The rooms and staff were great all around. Thamrongsak at the breakfast buffet stood out as truly exceptional, a level above the consistently good service from everyone else.

We stayed seven nights in a junior suite with a sea view, and the hotel exceeded our expectations by a lot. The area is very well appointed and there’s a private beach for guests. Service and attention to detail were exceptional. Breakfast was amazing every day, with a buffet and à la carte egg dishes. We also loved the food at Essenzia (Italian) and Rawya, and the afternoon tea ceremony was one of the best we’ve had anywhere. Guests get complimentary mocktails by the pool, plus ice cream or sorbet, a really nice touch. Try the Sidr honey at breakfast. The staff even sourced a bottle for us and delivered it to our room.

The team at Rawya and the pool were the real highlight. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they gave professional, personal service and remembered even small comments and preferences from earlier in my weeklong stay. Their recommendations were excellent too, even when another team member served me on a later day. I especially appreciated Thamrongsak’s attentive, thoughtful manner at both the beach and restaurant. When I ordered the camel burger and mentioned I liked trying more exotic dishes, he came back with a great local restaurant recommendation from the kitchen team. From the moment I stepped into the lobby, the welcome from the Front Office Manager felt warm and personal. We chatted through check-in before I was shown to my immaculate room, which had breathtaking views of Muscat’s mountainside. The luxurious design fit the surroundings beautifully. A copy of “Strongholds of Heritage,” about Oman’s ancient forts and castles, was a thoughtful invitation to explore the country’s culture. I’d recommend a mountainside room for watching the sunrise, or letting the first rays wake you.

The cake shop and lobby cafe were a favorite, especially the matcha tea time. The setting was lovely and the food and pastries were stellar. The whole team there, including Kimberly and the very kind Egyptian gentlemen, gave excellent service. The poolside restaurant was wonderful too. We had an excellent dinner, and the Thai gentleman who was restaurant supervisor was a perfect ambassador for Mandarin Oriental excellence. At breakfast, service was efficient, friendly, and attentive. David was especially attentive and hospitable at the beach and pool. The hotel’s design and high-quality finishes are beautiful, with no detail spared.