Discussion
Yes, twice. Very different from the bling of Dubai. Low-rise, nicer people, better drivers, better scenery with mountains and all. We stayed at The Chedi in Muscat, very zen and calming although the Shangri La further along the coast is also very nice.
I'd certainly recommend it for a fairly authentic middle eastern experience.
I'd certainly recommend it for a fairly authentic middle eastern experience.
Great place. Muscat is like a sleepy village when compared with Dubai.
I own a place out there, currently for sale due to relationship breakup. It is so nice and as close to a real Arab experience as you'll find these days. Plenty to see and do outdoors, especially compared to Dubai which is mostly shopping malls, water parks etc. Omanis are great people too.
Btw, the drivers are as mad as anywhere else in the region. Especially after dark. I regularly drive to/from Dubai (4.5 hrs, 400km) and do my best to avoid driving the route after dark.
My favourite hotel is the Grand Hyatt. The Shangri la is lovely but a long way from anywhere. I have met many people on the return flight who have stayed there or at the Cbedi and they never left the hotel. Make sure you get out and about. Hire a 4wd and go inland for a great time. Just don't try driving in the dunes without some kit and a second car, you WILL get stuck and need a local to tow you out (Omani hospitality means they will go beyond your expectations to help you).
I own a place out there, currently for sale due to relationship breakup. It is so nice and as close to a real Arab experience as you'll find these days. Plenty to see and do outdoors, especially compared to Dubai which is mostly shopping malls, water parks etc. Omanis are great people too.
Btw, the drivers are as mad as anywhere else in the region. Especially after dark. I regularly drive to/from Dubai (4.5 hrs, 400km) and do my best to avoid driving the route after dark.
My favourite hotel is the Grand Hyatt. The Shangri la is lovely but a long way from anywhere. I have met many people on the return flight who have stayed there or at the Cbedi and they never left the hotel. Make sure you get out and about. Hire a 4wd and go inland for a great time. Just don't try driving in the dunes without some kit and a second car, you WILL get stuck and need a local to tow you out (Omani hospitality means they will go beyond your expectations to help you).
Oman is great.I spent a few years there as a child and return when I can. Last trip back was in February.
I wouldn't say that it is particluarly desolate. There is some rugged coastline but it is fairly green in areas (especially the south)..
The people are very friendly. If you are off the beaten track then it's not uncommon for people to shout greetings from cars or to invite you to their home for coffee & dates. The country has changed in the 25+ years I have been going there but it still remains relatively unspoiled.
I wouldn't say that it is particluarly desolate. There is some rugged coastline but it is fairly green in areas (especially the south)..
The people are very friendly. If you are off the beaten track then it's not uncommon for people to shout greetings from cars or to invite you to their home for coffee & dates. The country has changed in the 25+ years I have been going there but it still remains relatively unspoiled.
I go there on business occasionally and it is a beautiful place, certainly the best of the Gulf states. Locals are extremely friendly and easy going, laid back atmosphere and stunning scenery. Couple of hotel complexes where you could happily spend two weeks or you could just do about 4 days in Muscat and do some day trips then head off somewhere else if you fancy a 2 center holiday. I have still not managed to visit Salalah but that is pretty high up on my wish list (for personal reasons as my Gramp was based there during the troubles).
We went a few years ago, in fact got engaged there :heart:
We stayed at the Chedi and it is amazing, and then went on a 3-4 day "safari" thing i.e. you + a 4x4 + a guide driving, and you visit various places, including seeing Turtles coming up the beach to lay eggs. I can agree some of the coastline and countryside is relatively desolate but actually there are people usually not far away, at least the bits we went to.
Can't wait to go back, but personally we would get bored staying at the Chedi for more than a few days - it's a lovely place but easy to get sucked into staying in the hotel. We did get out and see a few things, do a few trips, but next time I want to do more, and go somewhere else too.
We stayed at the Chedi and it is amazing, and then went on a 3-4 day "safari" thing i.e. you + a 4x4 + a guide driving, and you visit various places, including seeing Turtles coming up the beach to lay eggs. I can agree some of the coastline and countryside is relatively desolate but actually there are people usually not far away, at least the bits we went to.
Can't wait to go back, but personally we would get bored staying at the Chedi for more than a few days - it's a lovely place but easy to get sucked into staying in the hotel. We did get out and see a few things, do a few trips, but next time I want to do more, and go somewhere else too.
Reardy Mister said:
Went there for business recently (Suhar). Was consistently propositioned for sex by men. But friendly people, tasty reliable food, some spectacular landscapes. Not sure if I would drag family/Mrs all the way out there though.
The drive across from Dubai is entertaining.
Sohar is a bit 'rural' and they can be a bit odd along the Batinah coast. Muscat is more of a city though.The drive across from Dubai is entertaining.
I've never been propositioned in all the time I've been in Oman! (must be fugly)
Targarama said:
Reardy Mister said:
Went there for business recently (Suhar). Was consistently propositioned for sex by men. But friendly people, tasty reliable food, some spectacular landscapes. Not sure if I would drag family/Mrs all the way out there though.
The drive across from Dubai is entertaining.
Sohar is a bit 'rural' and they can be a bit odd along the Batinah coast. Muscat is more of a city though.The drive across from Dubai is entertaining.
I've never been propositioned in all the time I've been in Oman! (must be fugly)
Dont get me started on the "strip club" in our hotel or the offer of a "sleeping boy massage" from a chap who had just finished telling me about his wife and kids.
Reardy Mister said:
I made the mistake of going for a run one evening, wore long shorts and sleeved t-shirt to observe all local customs, thinking I had to be wary of offending the women. In fact, its only to stop the local men from getting too excited. Was cat-called and wolf-whistled for the entire 2.5miles (hastily reduced from a planned 4 miles), cars of men slowing down for a look etc. Set a personal best over 1 mile though according to Strava...
Dont get me started on the "strip club" in our hotel or the offer of a "sleeping boy massage" from a chap who had just finished telling me about his wife and kids.
Hmm, maybe I'll drive faster through Sohar in future!Dont get me started on the "strip club" in our hotel or the offer of a "sleeping boy massage" from a chap who had just finished telling me about his wife and kids.
Its funny really, homosexuality is illegal, yet there is a lot of it among the expat Indian/Pakistani population as well as the Arab boys. Oman is actually a popular destination for gay couples too - I've seen plenty holding hands and 'being together' in quiet spots. Also, that one gay Cons MP visits regularly. But the big one, dare I say this ... is that the Sultan never married or had children ... nobody talks about it but IMO all signs point to him being that way inclined (which I have no issue with, he is a great man).
In Muscat I've never had a problem hanging around in gym shorts and T shirt, even from the Police I've stopped to chat with while out exercising (they tend to park up and chat for hours instead of enforcing traffic rules, nice guys for a chat usually though).
Targarama said:
Reardy Mister said:
I made the mistake of going for a run one evening, wore long shorts and sleeved t-shirt to observe all local customs, thinking I had to be wary of offending the women. In fact, its only to stop the local men from getting too excited. Was cat-called and wolf-whistled for the entire 2.5miles (hastily reduced from a planned 4 miles), cars of men slowing down for a look etc. Set a personal best over 1 mile though according to Strava...
Dont get me started on the "strip club" in our hotel or the offer of a "sleeping boy massage" from a chap who had just finished telling me about his wife and kids.
Hmm, maybe I'll drive faster through Sohar in future!Dont get me started on the "strip club" in our hotel or the offer of a "sleeping boy massage" from a chap who had just finished telling me about his wife and kids.
Its funny really, homosexuality is illegal, yet there is a lot of it among the expat Indian/Pakistani population as well as the Arab boys. Oman is actually a popular destination for gay couples too - I've seen plenty holding hands and 'being together' in quiet spots. Also, that one gay Cons MP visits regularly. But the big one, dare I say this ... is that the Sultan never married or had children ... nobody talks about it but IMO all signs point to him being that way inclined (which I have no issue with, he is a great man).
In Muscat I've never had a problem hanging around in gym shorts and T shirt, even from the Police I've stopped to chat with while out exercising (they tend to park up and chat for hours instead of enforcing traffic rules, nice guys for a chat usually though).
Western gay couples are a common sight, there were a number at my hotel (Sohar Beach hotel - reasonable enough but in no way luxurious). My understanding where the locals are concerned is that because of their culture, they are not allowed "relations" with a woman until they are married to them. So up to that point, its accepted to get theiir jollies from each other.
Though that doesnt detract from the fact that they are just exceptionally hospitable people and usually eager to make the acquaintance of a westerner. You just have to have your eyes open a bit.
Targarama said:
Btw, the drivers are as mad as anywhere else in the region. Especially after dark.
I didn't say they were good drivers, but Oman's driving standards are way above any other Middle Eastern city - step forward Beirut, Jeddah, Kuwait, Dubai, Damascus etc!I think the gentler driving style is partly because Muscat is strung out along the coast so the traffic is thinner and less manic than in the jammed city streets of other Gulf cities, not because they're any better at driving!
tuffer said:
I have still not managed to visit Salalah but that is pretty high up on my wish list (for personal reasons as my Gramp was based there during the troubles).
Salalah is more relaxed than Muscat, much greener too (though when I was a kid there was much less greenery in muscat than there is now). The mountains are pretty awesome, as are the beaches esp out from Salalah in the direction of Raysut where there is Mughsayl beach. 
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