Thank you Oman!
Though it is still strange times around the world one of the places to be considered on the return to order is Oman. Get this destination on your Dream Golf Holidays list. Golf, culture, cuisine certainly fits the bill here. Throw in some excellent hotels and you have yourself an amazing time in the Middle East.
Sultanate of Oman
Oman is situated at the Southern tip of Arabia. It is one of the last places to get a real feel of traditional Arabia, there is so much tradition to soak up, the climate is superb with an excellent infrastructure that blends in with the Old Omani ways.
The best time to visit Oman is October to April which makes it perfect for that winter golf break. I was there in March and the temperature varied between 25 and 29 degrees, very pleasant indeed.
Oman is so diverse, amazing deserts and sand dunes, green oasis that spring up from nowhere, just like being in a Western! Rugged mountain ranges to explore, cycling both road and mountain is very popular.
There are Wadis, great swathes of valleys so rich in their diversity. And then the beaches, miles and miles of excellent uncrowded beaches. Mud brick villages are still in abundance, living the traditional way. Buildings cannot be built above 6 floors high, so the skyscraper mentality in other Arab countries doesn’t, thankfully exist.
However Muscat is certainly modern, with modern chains of hotels and Western food chains, it is mixed though with the traditional, which tempers the modern feel. Al Mouj, just outside the centre of Muscat, is extremely modern, nice hotels, swanky restaurants, port and of course a magnificent golf course.
Souks are plentiful with bartering over frankincense, jewellery, perfumes and gifts. Nizwa Souk is certainly worth a visit with its many different components which go far beyond a trinket to bring home!
The Omani people have a great reputation for friendliness and hospitality. That was certainly evident wherever I went. Truly humble, friendly, smiley people. A nation so proud of their heritage and culture, they just want to share it all with you.
Food in Oman is an eclectic mix of Middle East, Far East and East African, lots of spices and warmth, lots of curry and lots of fish. In the Souks you can purchase all types of wonderful spices, the smell is amazing.
Hotels
The Kempinski Hotel, with they're unmistakeable Lady’s in Red. This hotel really did hit the mark, the entrance and first view is an absolute wow. The internal architecture draws the eye to the large glass windows that then lead on the the gardens and infinity pool, leading then into the Arabian Sea, how amazing.
The service level is extremely high, attention to detail is covered in every way.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable will all the facilities one requires.
The food, or certainly the food I had was buffet style, it was though an exceptionally elegant and abundant one with lots of fresh food cooked around the different food stations. Breakfast was a similar affair.
There is also a sports bar with numerous tv’s showing sport from around the world which also serves alcohol and the usual sports bar food, burgers, ribs pizzas etc, this was a great place to chill out.
Not every hotel in Muscat serves alcohol. The Kempinski does, one has to remember this is a predominantly alcohol free country and where it is served it isn't cheap.
Al Bustan Palace Ritz Carlton
How do you describe this hotel? I doubt you will find a grander entrance to a hotel anywhere. This used to be one of the Sultans Palaces and indeed the 9th flor of the hotel is still used be the Sultan to entertain guests and for guests to stay. There is a private lift to the 9th floor and non of the Ritz Carlton staff have access to the 9th floor.
The grounds were amazing, spacious gardens. Lovely pools, some rooms you could step off your balcony straight in to the pool, superb.
The rooms themselves seemed more dour in decor than certainly the modern Kempinski and had an old feel to them, though I do believe there has been a recent renovation.
The setting for dinner was incredible, the lapping sea yards away, craggy rocks light by the hotel lights, extremely romantic.
It is certainly a hotel to look at in a golfing itinerary if only to say you have stayed in a Sultans Palace.
Anantara Jebel Akhdar
Incredible, if you want, peace, quiet, solitude and a place to rejuvenate yourself for a while then this is the place.
High in the mountains, over 2000 metres above sea level, we left Muscat in 28 degree heat and arrived at the hotel in 14 degrees heat!! A refreshing difference.
Truly stunning views from your room, the restaurant, the mountain balcony and the infinity pool. A sight worth seeing whatever the cost. Sometimes in life one feels very humbled, very privileged and in awe. The few hours spent at Anantara Jebel Akhdar certainly fit that category.
The rooms were very spacious and rustic, fitting the environment perfectly.
The food, both dinner and breakfast were buffet style but of exceptional quality and variety.
W Hotel Muscat
Modern, trendy, vibrant feel, straight lines and brand new. This hotel opened in January so is completely on point decor wise with a great feel.
The gardens and pool area, similar to the Kempinski wander and meander down the the sea. There are plenty of sun beds and terraces to sunbathe on with private boot he's one can book, this looked exquisite for a day's relaxation.
The room was extremely spacious with great views of the sea, gardens and pools.
The decor around the hotel was funky with great lighting, the colours blending well with the straight lines or the architecture.
One of the piste de resistance of of this is the rooftop bar, fantastic views with its own infinity pool reaching out high above the sea.
Dinner was a treat, the hotels signature dish of Tomahawk steak (like a T Bone) and Omani lobster, a fact about Omani lobster, they don't have claws, quite a sight to see.
Overall a very nice hotel in a great location for the golf courses.
JW Marriott
This is a brand new hotel with some of the facilities yet to open, part of the Spa, tennis courts and some outside areas. Internally the hotel really does fit the bill, spacious lobby area, rooms of a very decent size, excellent decor. The gym, if you want a gym whilst on holiday, is extremely well equipped.
The hotel did host a number of the European Golf Tour pro’s for the 2020 Oman open.
The hotel is ideally situated for all the golf courses in the Muscat area.
Golf
So four courses were played in the Muscat area. All very different to each other which turns out to be an extremely enjoyable experience.
Ras Al Hamra Golf Club
It is a super track. This was my first experience of night golf, the back 9 took a hole or so to acclimatise the eyes however it really was superb. A definite to do.
This course is a 30/40 minute drive from the Muscat hotels. A great course to play on your first full day in Muscat whilst still finding your holiday legs! Play it about 16:00 and you will experience day/night golf.
Ras Al Hamra is a 9 hole golf course but don’t let that put you off playing it, the two 9s are different with two very different pin position, often on different greens and different tee off areas.
The golf course manager is an Aussie guy, Brett. Really great guy, knowledgeable, has been around the golf industry a long while and knows his onions on golf course design, his background.
We were treated to an exceptional Omani feast at the Ras Al Hamra clubhouse, the chef certainly did his bit for us. There are also numerous other facilities at the club, including tennis and squash courts. The clubhouse also sits on the edge of the beach and sea so a full day can be made of it here.
Ghala Golf course
Ghala is a 20/30 minute drive from the Muscat hotels. This course meanders in the main through through a valley surrounded by rock cliffs and what can only be described a Palaces perched on top of the cliffs.
The Minister for Oil has one of these Palaces, with his own private drive down to the golf course. The new Sultan also has a very large Palace here.
Not a shabby pad to have on a golf course!
The course is extremely pleasant to play, the maintenance of the course was really good and holes varied. The green structures were undulating and quite difficult, again which is good. The fairways are quite narrow so positioning on the course is very important.
The clubhouse is spacious with good views of the 18th green
Al Al Mouj Golf Course
Al Mouj is the stand out course and name in Oman. It is used on the European Tour, we see it around February?March time on the t.v. and it is a bit of a brute of a course that bites you all the way around. A joy to play though. It’s always a pleasure to play on a course you know the Pro’s play on and indeed enjoy.
The scenery is amazing, every hole is different, the run offs from the green are definitely there for the Professionals, they are so tough to manoeuvre your way around the different hazards and nuances of the course.
And if you like planes then you get pretty close to them on this course!
Ghala Golf Course
Ghala is a 20/30 minute drive from the Muscat hotels. This course meanders in the main through a valley surrounded by what can only be described as Palaces perched on top of the cliffs. The Minister for Oil has one of these Palaces, with his own private drive down to the golf course. The new Sultan also has a very large Palace here.
The golf course is extremely enjoyable to play. Difficult but also very playable. The setting is so different with the cavernous feeling due to the aforementioned high cliff faces.
The feel, the ambience in the club house, the food, everything is of a high quality and one to be enjoyed.
Muscat Hills
I wasn't sure when the trip was organised if Muscat Hills was going to be on the agenda as it had not had a good few years in terms of tlc and maintenance. Thankfully a change of owner and emphasis though still part of the Royal Family the course is starting to flourish again. I have to say it is a most wonderful layout, totally enjoyable, superb par 3s and lots of variety along the way.
The condition, 90% + back to it's former glory's but still unbelievably playable and any golfer would enjoy it. So in summary, one to definite play and as it gets back to 100% condition it will be a wonderful place to play, relax and have great memories of golf in Oman.
Other amazing things to do.
The Diminiyat Islands, wow get this on your list. Just over 40 miles from the coast of Muscat lie these 9 secluded islands. Perfect for snorkelling with turtles and other amazing aquatic creatures.
It is also a great place to drop anchor and have yourself an amazing BBQ. Either get yourself on an organised trip or if there is enough of you hire a private yacht, now that is a great experience.
The Grand Mosque Muscat.
What an amazing building and what a fabulous tour around it. It is a definite must do. Extremely educational providing a greater understanding of the culture of Oman.
Anantara Jebel Akhdar
For the scenery, the views and the peace and tranquillity a visit in to the hills is very highly recommended. It is hard to describe the beauty and the difference. Imagine the grand canyon in Oman, a pretty amazing sight.
As an experience Oman is right up there for many reasons.
The country is a cornucopia of experiences right across the board. To finish off the blog here are my reasons for it being a great place to visit.
Authentic - you get a real taste of the Middle East
People - wonderful and warm
High standard - the hotels, restaurants golf courses match anywhere in the world
The food - wonderfully exotic
The Golf - a great place to come for some winter golf where you are guaranteed warm weather and four very good golf courses to play close to Muscat.
Oman, put it on your list.
