At Kenwood Travel we believe in delivering a personalised service to our customers. We are committed to arranging bespoke holidays that meet the needs of our savvy jetsetters and we are able to achieve this through a combination of passion for, and firsthand knowledge of, the holidays we provide.
Working closely with our hotel and airline partners around the world gives us a solid foundation to build your dream holiday. Our travel consultants and destination experts then test drive these holidays on your behalf. Yep, it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it! What this means is something quite simple: When you call Kenwood Travel you get trustworthy opinions and advice on your chosen holiday destination because your friendly advisor, or their colleague, has been there personally. It’s an invaluable service.
Fresh from such a trip – in this case visiting luxury hotels in Oman – meet our itinerant comrades Andrea Lovering and Adam Parker. Despite the nature of their profession and the opportunity for global adventure it routinely affords, this was their first visit to the Middle Eastern sultanate. Previous jaunts to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, however, had prepared them for it, or so they thought: ‘I knew it would be a lot more relaxed than Dubai, with fewer high rise buildings. But the extent of this was not expected,’ said Adam.
Compared to the vibrant nightlife and urban hustle of its neighbouring destinations, then, it seems a laid-back tempo is the name of the game in Oman – something immediately embraced by Andrea: ‘As Product Manager, I felt it my duty to have some spa treatments and ensure they were up to standard,’ (cue winking emoticon). Her favourite spa experience was the Balinese massage at Chi Spa, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah where she also relished the Jacuzzi and steam room facilities. The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah hotel is made up of three individual resorts, each with its own personality. Al Waha, translated as ‘oasis’, is the family-friendly resort and the largest of the three. ‘A slow, lazy river passing through the property is great for children, plus kids’ clubs and entertainment mean boredom doesn’t come easily,’ said Andrea. Al Bandar is the middle resort and means ‘town’. Here you’ll find the majority of the luxury complex’s facilities and restaurants. The third and perhaps most exclusive of the resorts is Al Husn – ‘the Castle’ – which caters mainly for couples and adults. All rooms include access to the courtyard for afternoon tea and complimentary evening drinks between 6 and 7pm. Also included, much to Andrea’s delight, is an excellent complimentary laundry service which means you can leave with a clean case of clothes, enabling a swift transition into your daily routine upon returning home. Adam praised Al Husn’s ‘beautiful in every way’ rooms, which he described as ‘the height of luxury’. He particularly enjoyed the private beach and afternoon tea, too. Both Andrea and Adam were impressed with the ‘rugged mountains’ which formed the hotels’ ‘breathtaking backdrop’
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Popular with older couples and families, the Al Bustan Palace is part of the Ritz Carlton hotel chain. Andrea points out the word ‘palace’ in the title gives some indication of what guests can expect on arrival. Central to the opulent lobby, she says, is a large dome that welcomes clients to what is a truly beautiful hotel. Unique selling points here are the swim-up rooms – currently the only ones in Oman. Adam remembers the welcoming scent of incense at the Al Bustan Palace, and the hotel’s grand feel: So big, in fact, that it ‘could even get a little disorientating!’
Al Bustan Palace
The third Omani hotel test driven by our team was The Chedi Muscat. Andrea: ‘This ‘boutique’ hotel consisting of 137 rooms and suites is an oasis in Muscat. It attracts couples and adults but families are welcome to enjoy the tranquillity it offers. It boasts three swimming pools, one adults-only ‘long pool’ (the longest pool in Oman) and two family friendly pools. An upgrade to the Chedi Suite is highly recommended for its free laundry, club lounge access, complimentary mini bar and selection of alcoholic drinks. The fitness centre is state-of-the-art and the new luxurious spa compliments this beautiful resort perfectly.’ Andrea lists the half-day city tour to Chedi as her favourite activity while in Oman. She was taken to the Grand Mosque (which houses the largest hand-made carpet in the world) and also visited the Palace, the Museum and a local souk selling amazing fabrics. Adam was likewise fascinated by the Grand Mosque but was happy to balance his cultural excursions with some ‘chilling on the beach.’ And who could blame him?
The Chedi Muscat
Andrea isn’t exaggerating when she claims Omani food to be ‘…some of the best I have ever tasted. The range of restaurants available at the Shangri-La resorts and Al Bustan Palace is fantastic, catering for all tastes from the culinary crossroads of the world.’ She loved the ‘open kitchens’ at Chedi Muscat where the wonderful head chef from Bangkok prepared sublimely cooked Asian, Indian and Japanese favourites. She also enjoyed the delights of the ‘dessert’ kitchen, courtesy of the resident French patisserie chef. ‘The traditional Friday brunch is a must and consists of three great options. One option provides unlimited soft beverages; one provides house wine and beer and one serves unlimited champagne. Brunch is traditionally between 12.30 and 4.30pm and the range of unlimited food on offer is unbelievable. Luckily you have four hours to indulge yourself, although alcohol is not permitted until after 2pm,’ she advises.
When asked about their favourite aspects of Oman overall, our intrepid colleagues both mentioned the jawdropping scenery before describing what must be the best reflection of any destination: the locals. ‘The scenery is spectacular but one of the nicest things is the local people. They were not only warm and welcoming but also very informative about their history and culture,’ said Andrea. Adam, similarly, had this to say: ‘The people are so accommodating and helped make our stay more enjoyable at every opportunity.’
Luxury Hotels in Oman Top Tips:
Shangri-La Al Husn
FREE laundry in all room categories | All rooms include access to complimentary afternoon tea on the terrace | Complimentary evening drinks in the courtyard between 6-7pm including: Soft drinks, house wine, sparkling wine and spirits | Infinity pool exclusive to guests | WiFi / broadband access in room and throughout resort | Daily pre-dinner drinks and canapés | Hospitality lounge | Mini-bar restocked daily
The Chedi Muscat
The luxurious suites include added benefit of afternoon tea and free evening drinks – well worth the upgrade | Complimentary mini bar with soft drinks, beers, vodka, gin and whisky | Longest pool in Middle East
Al Bustan Palace
Swim up suites are the only ones of their kind in Oman. Well worth the upgrade | Exquisite decor & design | Complimentary non-motorised watersports | Espresso machine in every room
There is no doubt Oman is a holiday destination on the rise. Already attracting the travel industry’s global elite, it can now boast the calibre of hotel their standards demand. And if you needed proof of its appeal, rumour has it that Banyan Tree, Four Seasons and other 5-star resorts have scheduled new properties in the area over the coming years. It’s an exciting time for this up-and-coming holiday hotspot. And, thanks to Kenwood Travel’s exclusive offers, there couldn’t be a better time to find out for yourself.