Oman Beyond the Obvious
I'll be honest - Oman has been quietly stealing my heart for years. I've been recommending it to clients almost since I started working in travel, and yet it still somehow feels like a secret. Most people know the basics: Muscat, Mutrah Souq, maybe the Alila Jabal Akhdar if they've done their homework. But Oman has evolved dramatically over the last couple of years, and what's happening there right now genuinely excites me. So,whether you're a first-timer or a returning devotee, here's my honest take on what's new, what's worth your time, and everything you need to know if you're planning to drive there from the UAE.
The New Hotel Scene: Oman Is Having a Moment
The global hotel industry has clearly taken notice of Oman, and the properties opening right now are genuinely impressive.
Mandarin Oriental, Muscat opened in mid-2024 in Shatti Al-Qurum, and it has quickly become the address in the capital. The design draws on Oman's rich cultural heritage - think grand wooden doors into the lobby and three fountains referencing the country's Middle Eastern, African and Asian influences. There are five restaurants including Rawya, a Euro-Asian brasserie inspired by the Silk Road. It's the kind of hotel that earns its price tag.
St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort also opened in 2024 and is perfectly positioned for those who want that combination of beach, golf, and serious dining. Set along a 360-metre beachfront beside the Al Mouj golf course, it houses outposts of Roberto's, Coya, and Hakkasan, alongside a Guerlain spa. If you want luxury without compromise, this is your answer.
Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa is perhaps
the most exciting opening for the adventure-minded traveller. Located a
two-hour drive from Muscat, this 173-room mountain retreat echoes the colours
and textures of the dramatic canyon landscape. Highlights include Vayu spa
stretching over 3,000 sqm, villas with private pools, and Vue Rooftop &
Lounge (claimed to be the highest rooftop in the Middle East) with panoramic
canyon views and wood-fired dishes. It gives Alila Jabal Akhdar a serious run
for its money and opens up the Hajar Mountains region to a slightly different
audience.
And the pipeline looks equally promising. Hilton opened three properties at Barr Al Jissah at the start of 2026 (Al Husn Hotel Muscat, Hilton Muscat Al Bandar, and DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Al Waha) offering everything from intimate luxury to family-friendly stays on Muscat's coastline, with Al Husn set for a Waldorf Astoria rebrand following renovations in 2027.
Meanwhile, Anantara is slated to open a coastal resort at Bandar Al Khairan, just 45 minutes from the capital, in 2026, with 51 rooms, 46 chalets, and 24 villas nestled along the mountain shoreline overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
In short: if you've been waiting for the right property to pull you to Oman, that moment has arrived. There is absolutely something for everyone here.
Beyond Muscat: Where I'm Sending Clients Now
The capital will always be wonderful, but here's where things get really interesting.
Jabal Akhdar and the Hajar Mountains are having a renaissance. Beyond the new Hotel Indigo, this region rewards those who explore it properly. The rose water distilleries, the terraced pomegranate farms, the ancient falaj irrigation channels - it's a side of Oman that feels genuinely removed from modern life in the best possible way. I recommend at least two nights here, more if you can manage it.
Wahiba Sands remains criminally underrated. A night in the desert under Oman's extraordinary dark skies - properly away from everything, in a camp that doesn't compromise on comfort - is the kind of experience that stays with people. Combine it with a drive through Wadi Bani Khalid, and you have a road trip itinerary that rivals anything in the region.
Sur and the Turtle Reserve at Ras Al Jinz is worth the journey east. Between June and October, loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest, and the reserve manages visits carefully - no cameras, small groups, genuine wildlife. It's one of those experiences that reminds you why you travel.
When to Go
October through April is the sweet spot for most of Oman - comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and perfect conditions for exploring Muscat, the mountains, and the desert. Summer is Salalah's season, and if you haven't experienced Khareef, put it on your list immediately.
The one thing I always say about Oman: it rewards the curious. The clients who come back most enthusiastically are always the ones who went a little further, stayed a little longer, and let the country surprise them.
If you'd like help putting together an itinerary - whether it's a long weekend drive from Dubai or a full week combining Muscat, the mountains, desert, and coast - get in touch. This is exactly the kind of trip I love building.
