Tell me about the ME especially Oman

[imightjustsing]

DH and have the opportunity to have a week in the Middle East in November or December.
I think a few days in Muscat then off to the beach would be great for some winter sun. Can anyone recommend a beach resort and hotel? The Six Senses looks ideal but is over budget.

The other option is Dubai but it doesn't hold much appeal to me. Happy to be told otherwise though.

Oman is a really different option to Dubai and personally, has a lot more going for it as they've not knocked down everything of historical and cultural interest! It's also a lot prettier. Muscat is nice and I've fond memories of driving around the corniche and visiting the souk and forts. Can't recommend a hotel as it's been too long! I used to live in Dubai and wouldn't want to go back but if you're looking for mountains and beach then you've got a couple of options - a couple of days in Dubai at a beach hotel and then go to Hatta (in Dubai Emirate but a drive through the desert (and it goes from being flat and boring into proper barchan dune desert) into the mountains) - the Hatta Fort hotel is nice and if you hire a jeep you can drive through wadi's and see the mini hilltop forts. Khor Fakkan and Fujairah - a couple of hours (about 2 from memory but check!) are also nice, in the mountains but with beaches and with a couple of good hotels are another option. Ras Al Khaimah is the northern most Emirate. It has an airport and a similarish vibe to Oman in that its got mountains, greenery and a more traditional way of life but unless its changed a lot, there's not much to do really! All in , if you can afford it, go to Oman but if not, don't spend all your time in Dubai city!

Watching with interest. We have had very good reports about the Crowne Plaza in Muscat which we are contemplating booking for later this year. Everyone tells me Oman is lovely so I'm interested to see what people suggest.

The Crowne Plaza at the beach is being refurbished - there's anew one inland a bit - nice but doesn't have the lovely bars overlooking the sea - I'm not sure when the original will be re-ooened.
In Muscat itself the Chedi us lovely but $$$$.
Muscat is a long thin city so you will get stung for taxi whichever location you choose as you'll travel between the hotel and the sights (Muttrah Souq, fish market, Grand Mosque.

One other option is the Shangri-la which is a beach resort just outside - stunning scenery and great service - and they run shuttles into Muscat for the malls, Souq and Mosque. It's 3 hotels in one; go for the Al Husn (adults only) if money allows as you get free breakfast, free afternoon tea and free drinks and canapes every day so although it looks expensive it ends up cheaper than the others!
You can sometimes get really good package deals from UK travel agents that are way cheaper than trying to book independently.
Another nice place is the Al Bustan which is near the Shangri-la and is just finishing being returned.

And lastly you could look at the Alila or Anantara Jebel Shams (hotels in the mountains a couple for hours drive from Muscat- you'd need a transfer or hire a 4x4). - stunning views and a chance to see a different side to the country.

Muscat is on the beach.

The Shangri-La is amazing. Beautiful views and close enough to the city.

Sorry about all the typos!

I think you need to figure out how you're going to get around OP. The Six Senses is in Dibba, and a 7 hour drive from Muscat, and you can't take rental cars through the border without a lot of faff. And as I just said, Muscat is on the beach, so where would you be going off to the beach too?

Just book a hotel on the beach in Muscat and stay there for 7 days. Plenty to do.

Both Muscat and Dubai are on the beach.
If you want beautiful, go to Oman - and consider going up into the mountains for a few days.
If you want megacity, go to Dubai.
Can't advise on hotels, as we went with kids, so looked for apartments. Grand Hyatt and Shangri-la are the 2 im aware of.

I'd 100% go to Oman over Dubai - much nicer. Try the Safari Village Hotel - its attached to the Hyatt, on the beach, and you get to use all the facilites without such a hefty price tag. I think breakfast is included.

I would head for Oman too. We stayed at Al Bustan Palace which was lovely and there was lots to see and do locally. .

I think Dubai is too over-developed and 'new' unless you like that sort of thing. Having said that Jumeirah Beach Hotel was fab.

Stayed at Hilton in Ras-Al-Khaimah last August. Really disappointed compared to other places in Middle East.
There is absolutely nothing at all to do. We visited a shopping mall for a change of scene!!!

Just to clarify Hilton hotel was beautiful. But it was the most boring place I've ever been on holiday.

Muscat Shangri La was awesome, I have lovely memories of hours spent meandering along the lazy river!

I'm hearing loads of great things about Oman so I'm keen to follow on - seems like it's only positives and I'm not keen on Dubai so it's good to hear Oman isn't as developed/artificial.

Thank you very much for the advice.
We're veering towards Oman., a few days in Muscat then onto a beach resort called Salalah looks a possibility. Friends in UAE tell me it's a good choice.
DH has to go back to Dubai for work but I can fly direct to London.

I can't stand Dubai. It's so fake. I went to the shangrila in Oman last winter. The hotel was nice and our toddler loved it. I'd like to have had the opportunity to explore muscat but the heat and toddler naps meant we mostly stayed in the resort, which hasn't been the plan when we booked. I wouldn't rush back but for not too long haul winter sun it was a good option.

Shangrila - Al Husn. My favourite hotel in all the world.

Do try and visit the interior too - it is very very beautiful.

Another vote for absolutely Muscat and Oman, so beautiful and interesting with so much to do and see. It is on the beach as someone mentioned, so you're never far.

We drove to some stunning places from Muscat in a day, that was easily done. One of my favourite trips, I'd definitely go back as it's such a lovely place.

You'd fly to Salalah, yes?

Salalah is nice (new Anantara or Crowne Plaza but avoid the Hilton) but it is another flight from Muscat and doesn't really offer anything different from the Shangri-la/Al Bustan/Chedi in Muscat itself. Do consider pairing Muscat with a 1-2 night trip to the mountains instead.

Or you could always drive down the coast (driving is fine once you are out of Muscat )) and visit Ras Al Jinz (~3 hours drive) for turtle watching (the eco tents at the turtle centre are great) with a visit to Bemmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab (amazing swimming) and Wadi Tiwi on the way down or up.

Excited now! Will look at bookings this weekend. Travel agent said the Crowne Plaza is due to reopen in early autumn. Does anyone have any views on the two non-adult-only options at the Shangri-La and which is better with teens? I think we may split our time and use Muscat as a base for sightseeing then have a few days at the beach.
And where would people recommend for a day trip into the desert?
(Sorry for the thread hijack, imightjustsing).

You'd fly to Salalah, yes?

I hope so! It's 1000 Km's from Muscat to Salalah! And I'm not sure of the road quality.

Does anyone have any views on the two non-adult-only options at the Shangri-La and which is better with teens?

They are next to each other (not on top of a hill like Al Husn), Al Waha is definitely oriented towards little kids, but given how close they are and that they share facilities (two pools & lazy river), it's not worth paying more to stay at Al Bander (think that's the name of the middle one). Also the view from the Al Waha side is incredible.

We were just at Al Waha last week, and compared to when we went 2 years before (and had a horrid time as the place was falling apart and the service was atrocious) it was amazing. They've renovated a bit, and all new staff/management and the whole place is finally non-smoking.

I've been to many, many resorts all over the world and I think the Shangri la in Muscat is my favorite. It's just stunningly beautiful. Make sure you take a boat ride around the coast.

I think we may split our time and use Muscat as a base for sightseeing then have a few days at the beach.
And where would people recommend for a day trip into the desert?

There is no need to split between Muscat and the Shangri La. It is quite literally 10 minutes away from old Muscat, and there are plenty of shuttles. Also, you never want to miss the opportunity to take an Omani taxi. They're often driven by locals who will "kidnap" you and take you sightseeing. It's quite the experience.

Yes, take a day trip into the desert, go and see the sink hole and Wadi Shab.

High jacking welcome Tolstoy, I'm reading with interest.
Any opinion on Oman Air? I've read some grim reviews. We mostly use BA for the Avios but the schedule doesn't work so well for us.

Any opinion on Oman Air? I've read some grim reviews.

They aren't Emirates or Etihad, but they're at least as good as BA.