Settled into the desert shades of the Al Hajar mountain range, Jumeirah Muscat Bay is an oasis of modernity on the Gulf of Oman. Greeting guests from the 5th floor lobby, turquoise waters beckon from below, drawing attention beyond the opulence of arabesque interiors to the soft sands of the shoreline. Embraced by a bay that’s theirs alone, a sense of escapism attracts jet-setters from across the globe, in search of a spacious retreat that feels worlds away from the everyday, yet keeps culture close.  

Often enjoyed after a spell of city-based Arabian nights, you’d be forgiven for wishing to simply sink into the quiet sanctuary of your suite here; finding the cool, calm waters of a private pool and beach in mere moments places even mountaintop yoga a stretch too far.

When rest and repose become rejuvenation, however, active pursuits await on both land and sea. Whether on two wheels or your own two feet, bike, hike, or run through the spectacular scenery of the Al Hajar mountains, pausing at crystal-clear wadis en route; or, take the plunge on a private boat excursion – Oman tops the list of diving destinations in the Middle East, after all.

Wildlife enthusiasts may want to venture a little further still, to a paradise named the Dimaniyat Islands. An archipelago dubbed ‘the Maldives of Oman’, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles are just a few of the species to call them home.