Oman's newest hotel has opened in Muscat.
Avani Muscat Hotel is now welcoming guests to spend the night. The 161-room Avani Muscat is the hotel brand's first property in the sultanate.
Located in Seeb to the west of the capital, it's about a 15-minute drive from Muscat International Airport, making it a good choice for those considering flying in for a short break or weekend getaway from the UAE.
Stylish rooms and apartments incorporate a modern vibe with coastal colours and either city or pool views. There's also lots of traditional Omani touches throughout to ensure guests retain a sense of location.
The nearly 100-square-metre, two-bedroom apartments sleep up to five adults and one child, meaning there's room for even bigger groups.
Guests checking-in will be able to tuck into authentic local flavours at Trisis, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant which also serves a wide selection of international dishes. Light bites and coffees or grab-and-go snacks are available in the Pantry, while those lounging by the courtyard pool can order drinks and snacks from Patio Bar.
The AvaniSpa offers a place to unwind, with a menu featuring a blend of traditional Omani treatments, with techniques inspired from around the world. AvaniFit will appeal to those who like to work out when they travel, with a well-equipped gym and personal trainers on-hand to put guests through their paces.
Little ones can head to AvaniKids Club where there's games, arts, crafts and more. It's open for all children aged 4 to 11, and babysitting is also offered.
The new hotel is also home to a 1,000-square-metre ballroom and eight meeting rooms, ideal if event planning is on your agenda.
Connected to Al Araimi Boulevard mall, the hotel is a good choice for those seeking some retail therapy. The mall also has a wide choice of dining outlets and a multi-screen cinema. Nearby, guests can visit the largest aquarium in the Middle East, the Oman Aquarium, home to more than 30,000 marine animals.
Seeb Souq, right on the harbour front, is also not too far away and offers visitors a glimpse of Oman's traditional authenticity, with colourful market stalls manned by friendly locals and piled high with fruit, spices and more. Beach aficionados will also enjoy Seeb's coastlines, which offer the best beach life north of Salalah.
Celebrating its Omani debut, Avani's opening offer gives travellers 20 per cent off room rates when they book a stay this month, with rates from only Dh267 per night.
Avani Muscat, opposite Boulevard Mall, Seeb, Muscat; www.avani.com
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
RESULTS
5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Shamkha – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
6pm: Shakbout City – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Ghayyar, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
