Like many ‘90s kids, I was absolutely obsessed with dolphins as a child. I had dolphin t-shirts, necklaces, notebooks, and even had them stenciled all over my bedroom walls.
It was a phase that I thought I had outgrown. However, my recent weekend trip to Muscat, Oman, has made my dolphin fixation even stronger than ever.
Authentic Arabian beauty
Staying at the luxurious, newly opened Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Ghala Muscat, my first morning was spent dolphin watching with Sidab Sea Tours. Travelling away from the craggy mountainous coastline, our friendly captain told us that pods of hundreds of dolphins are regularly spotted in the waters around Muscat, including bottlenose, Indian Ocean, and many other species.§
Sure enough, we had only been moving for about 45 minutes when a cry went up from the front of the boat. Suddenly, we were surrounded by dozens of dolphins, all jumping, spinning, and swimming alongside us playfully.
The staggering natural beauty of Oman’s coastline surprised me, too. While the country is perhaps most known for its land activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and cultural attractions, I would argue that its ocean experiences are possibly even more spectacular.
Once the dolphins had waved their goodbyes, our return journey took us past crystal clear blue lagoons filled with colourful coral, dramatic stone arches, and ancient fortresses built into the rock. It was so magical it left me speechless, and I couldn’t believe that all these hidden treasures lay just a few kilometres away from the city centre.
City centre luxury
In fact, Mövenpick Ghala Muscat is the perfect base for those who want to experience the best of the Omani capital. Located just a ten-minute drive from the airport, it is one of the only five-star hotels in the city and my enormous, immensely comfortable suite was the ideal place to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. The housekeeping team were also astonishingly quick and efficient. Every time I reentered my room it had been redone, while the hotel facilities were second to none. Also boasting the city’s first rooftop infinity pool, I loved how the cool waters of the pool seemed to blend into the surrounding jagged peaks of the Hajar mountain range, while the onsite NOVE Spa’s expert therapists treated me to one of the most blissful massages I’ve ever had.
Kitted out with brand new equipment and offering more tremendous seaside views, working out in the gym didn’t feel remotely like a chore, while a post-workout session in the steam and salt rooms became part of my daily routine.
Nature, culture, and iconic landmarks.
The friendly hotel is also just a short drive from the city’s top cultural landmarks, including the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Built out of sandy stone, the mosque is a mesmerising piece of Islamic architecture. Impressive but not overly ornate, it fits the vibe of the rest of the country perfectly. In fact, from the moment you land, Muscat feels starkly different to the cities of the UAE.
Instead of a sprawl of towering skyscrapers and shopping malls, you’ll find whole communities of traditional white houses, rimmed on one side by undulating mountains, and bright blue ocean on the other. Feeling far more authentically Arabian than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, it’s clear from the outset that the government is dedicated to preserving the country’s history and heritage.
With a strict five-story height limit enforced on every building, the Grand Mosque is the tallest structure in the city, and the entire place has a calm and peaceful aura. One of the many highlights of my stay was the ornate Royal Opera House Muscat. Tours run throughout the day, while the seasonal programme spans world-leading operas, ballets, musical performances, and more.
Visiting the bustling Mutrah Souq was another favourite memory. Brimming with exotic colours and aromas, its labyrinth of tight winding alleyways offers countless stalls selling herbs, spices, Oman’s famous frankincense, and more. The Mutrah corniche is also a pleasant place to stretch your legs, and enjoy soaking in the ambiance of the quaint and historical area.
Fresh, local ingredients
In between all the enriching activities, I feasted like royalty back at the hotel. Filled with fresh local ingredients and prepared by the sensational Mövenpick kitchen team, I sampled sumptuous Omani seafood platters at the intricately designed Amoun all-day-dining restaurant, alongside colourful mezze, qabooli (Oman’s fragrant, biriyani-like specialty), halwa (the country’s national dessert), and many more regional delicacies.
Offering endless variation and options to suit those of all tastes, the onsite Butcher House steakhouse lived up to its reputation as a hotspot for premium juicy cuts. I adored the simply brilliant avocado salad, while the irresistible tiramisu is sure to impress even the most distinguished Italian food connoisseurs.
Meanwhile, funky rooftop bar The Watchtower is the sundowner setting of dreams. Combining a cosy outdoor area with a funky indoor lounge, the menu spans a tempting fusion of expertly crafted cocktails and bar bites. Frequented by professionals from the Ghala area’s adjacent offices, locals, and tourists alike, everything from the tacos to the sliders and calamari is of the best possible quality, and far superior to anything you’d expect to be served in a laidback bar.
Finally, if you have a weakness for chocolate, the Mövenpick Chocolate Hour ritual is sure to fulfil all your wildest fantasies. Serving up an amazing selection of decadent chocolate treats, including cheesecake, mousses, profiteroles and more, all made with rich Mövenpick Swiss chocolate, every hotel guest is invited to tuck in to the jaw-dropping spread for free (yes you read that correctly), every afternoon.
One of the only hotel brands in the world to have its own range of gourmet food, the menus also feature aromatic Mövenpick coffee, and of course, a wide choice of creamy Mövenpick ice cream (I can highly recommend the pistachio in particular).
Something for everyone. A city, mountain, beach, and cultural break all rolled into one, 72 hours was enough to give me just a taste of what Muscat has to offer.
Friendly, welcoming, and offering so much to see and do, I will certainly return to the Omani capital, and the pristine Mövenpick Ghala Muscat, very soon.
Just a 45-minute flight from the UAE, multiple flights run direct to Muscat daily from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
For more information about the Mövenpick Ghala Muscat, please visit or follow them on social media @Mövenpickghalamuscat.
