From the outside, Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Ghala Muscat blends inconspicuously with the Omani capital's many low-rise buildings – their heights limited by law in harmony with the striking landscape.
But inside, this gem of a city escape offers all kinds of surprises, from fine dining to spa treatments and late-night haunts that would give some luxury resorts serious competition. The National checked in to experience what is on offer at this fuss-free getaway where Omani hospitality meets Swiss sophistication.
The welcome
Just a 12-minute drive from Muscat International Airport, Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Ghala Muscat is part of the Ghala Heights Complex, a 146,000-square metre development that also includes apartment blocks, office spaces and a shopping mall. The Swiss hotel brand's first property in Oman opened its doors to guests in March.
Upon arrival, we are greeted by friendly reception staff offering wet towels and a cooling milkshake made of Omani dates and pistachios – the first of many locally-inspired food and drinks that we will sample over the next few days.
Check-in is smooth and within minutes I am escorted to my room where a beautiful welcome message created with palm leaves and roses awaits me. On the study desk is a miniature palm tree made entirely of chocolate.
The neighbourhood
Movenpick Ghala Muscat's proximity to the airport is a huge advantage and many city landmarks are a short drive away. The striking Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of Oman's most popular attractions, is 10 minutes from the hotel, while you can reach the pristine marble surrounds of the Royal Opera House Muscat in under 17 minutes. Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world, built in the 1800s, is a 24-minute drive away.
For seafaring adventures, including dolphin watching, the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is a picturesque 30-minute drive away. Along the route, you can take in lots of landmarks, including the Parliament Building and Port Sultan Qaboos.
The room
I'm staying in a junior suite with a large outdoor space, one of 282 rooms. There is not much of a view, as my window overlooks the entrance to the Ghala Heights Complex, but the suite is spacious, well-designed and has all the necessary amenities, from an espresso machine to tea accessories.
The contemporary interior design gives the suite a feeling of freshness while traditional Omani murals remind me that I am in the sultanate. This design ethos carries through the hotel, with cultural touches that give an authentic charm. All toiletries are from Yuni Beauty, a brand known for natural products.
The service
Omani hospitality is world renowned, and the multicultural staff at Movenpick Ghala Muscat are all fluent in it, making everything a breeze. Many of the staff are also from Oman, and it is a bonus to interact with locals.
The scene
Starting at the top, the infinity pool on the roof is a relaxing escape, despite the hotel's location within a complex. It offers stunning views of the city and Oman’s rugged mountains beyond. Besides the pool, the rooftop also has a giant jacuzzi, a bar and a lounge area. For those looking to take their relaxation up a notch, the Nove Spa offers a range of treatments and even has a salt therapy room.
The Envision fitness centre is not only well-equipped, it also offers sweeping views to enjoy while you work out. And since it is a business and leisure hotel, there are three fully-equipped meeting rooms, as well as a ballroom.
The food
In a nod to Movenpick's start as a restaurant, good food is front and centre. Besides the tranquil club lounge, accessible to suite and executive level guests as well as Accor members, there are four restaurants starting at lobby level with Amoun. Blending Omani specials and international cuisine, the focus here, like other Movenpick properties worldwide, is on locally sourced ingredients. Don't miss the traditional Umm Ali, priced at 5 Omani riyals ($13).
Then there is my favourite, Butcher House, which is the hotel's take on the classic steakhouse. It offers a wide range of meat dishes paired with an equally mouthwatering drinks list. Top dishes here for me were the Butcher House Caesar Salad (9 Omani riyals), their elevated take on the popular dish, and the 1kg Tomahawk steak (49 Omani riyals) – meat so perfectly done, it melts in the mouth.
Dates & Co is a dessert cafe, specialising in date-inspired pastries and other sweet creations, served alongside Movenpick Ice Cream. The Watchtower is the restaurant's bar and lounge, serving nibbles and drinks with great views of Muscat city and thumping music via the resident DJ. The venue opens to an outdoor seating area complete with a giant TV where guests can either catch the latest sporting action or catch up with friends over shisha.
Highs and lows
Movenpick Ghala Muscat's location in the heart of the city is a trump card, as many of the city's highlights are within easy access. The hotel's five-star facilities and services are comparable to any top-tier resort. However, those looking for a beach or nature-filled getaway, which Muscat also offers, will have to head somewhere else.
Insider tip
Book yourself a little corner on the rooftop lounge, sink into one of the plush sofas and watch the world go by. Also, if you are visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque or Royal Opera House Muscat, familiarise yourself with the dress codes before setting out.
The verdict
Movenpick Ghala Muscat is the perfect urban escape that has everything you need for a luxury stay, and goes easy on the pocket.
The bottom line
Rates start at Dh500 for a Superior room, inclusive of breakfast and taxes. Check-in is from 2pm; check out is until noon.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in the future
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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ARGYLLE
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
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Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
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Results
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THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
Scoreline:
Cardiff City 0
Liverpool 2
Wijnaldum 57', Milner 81' (pen)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
