Jumeirah celebrated the official opening of its first property in Oman in December. Set within the new Muscat Bay development on Bandar Jissah bay, the hotel offers the exemplary service levels that are synonymous with Jumeirah properties around the world, in a uniquely Omani setting.
There are 206 rooms and suites, all offering sea views, as well as the Sanctuary Villa, which comes with a sprawling private pool and dedicated butler service, and Oman's first Talise Spa. The surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, diving and other water-based sports, but you'll have to drag yourself away from the resort's pristine beach first.
The welcome
After a half-hour drive from Muscat city centre, the latter part consisting of winding mountain roads, Google Maps deposits us at the fenced-off back entrance to the Muscat Bay community.
Jumeirah Muscat Bay is new enough ― it celebrated its grand opening in early December ― for Google not yet to have fully found its bearings. A U-turn and closer attention to signs on the side of the road lead us to our actual destination.
The drive up to the hotel offers ample opportunity to admire its stunning location. Our car is promptly valeted and we are ushered into an airy reception area. Large, contemporary chandeliers hang overhead and intimate check-in desks are situated on either side of the space, but it is the double height windows offering views over Bandar Jissah bay that steal the show.
Check-in formalities are promptly completed by an Omani member of staff, and we make our way to our room.
The neighbourhood
The hotel is at the far end of Muscat Bay, a luxury residential community with grand-looking "hilltop" and "island" villas. Comfortably nestled between the rocky Al Hajar mountains and a stunning cove, the property takes full advantage of its scenic setting, with all rooms facing towards the sea and restaurants that fully capitalise on the views.
The bay is peppered with sculptural rocky outcrops that emerge from the sea, adding to the overall drama of the setting. Hugged by mountains on three sides, it feels entirely removed from the rest of the world.
The room
Everything about the hotel is new, but the rooms, in particular, feel very modern. We stay in a premium club room, which is decorated in calming, muted tones interspersed with subtle Arabian-inspired accents. In addition to a desk, there is a corner nook with comfy seating, as well as a balcony that looks out over the sea.
A large bathroom with marble floors houses a sumptuous bath tub and rain shower, and the space can be opened up or closed off to the rest of the room via sliding doors.
The service
Service is smooth throughout the resort and it is particularly pleasant to be able to interact with Omani members of staff.
The scene
The property has two swimming pools, an adults-only one surrounded by private cabanas, and another that is more child-friendly. However, the beach is the real highlight. Clear waters, pristine sand and double-sized loungers make for an ideal day soaking up the rays. Those looking to take a more active approach can explore the cove on a paddle board or glass-bottomed kayak.
The hotel also offers hiking trips for those looking to keep their adventures on land and Oman’s first Talise Spa for those hoping to turn relaxation levels up a notch.
The food
There are five restaurants, including Tarini, a lounge and terrace overlooking the bay, and Zuka, which offers laid-back beachfront dining. The buffet breakfast at Peridot feels plentiful but not excessive.
Located on the top floor of the hotel, again capitalising on the expansive sea views, Brezza offers Mediterranean cuisine with an Italian slant. Raw starters include spicy tuna tartar with saffron arancini, 6.5 Omani rials (about $17) and red mullet with burnt orange, guacamole and yuzu (OR7). The Angus beef carpaccio with mushroom and artichoke, parmesan and truffle vinaigrette (OR9) is perfectly executed, as is the pepper crusted beef tenderloin (OR20), which is served with mashed potatoes, porcini mushrooms and herbed sauce.
Food and beverage operations are overseen by the charming Sicilian chef Claudio Dieli, who personally recommends and delivers his signature deconstructed tiramisu, and sticks around for an incredibly entertaining chat.
Highs and lows
The hotel’s location is an undeniable high point. The sharp juxtaposition of mountains and sea serves up dramatic views wherever you are in the property, and makes you feel like you are fully immersed in nature.
Our room, however, has one minor design flaw. A coffee machine is provided and sits on the desk, but the way the electrical socket is placed means it can’t actually be plugged in.
The insider tip
Ask for a room that’s as high up as possible to take advantage of those views.
The bottom line
Prices for a deluxe garden room start from Dh1,683 ($458) per night, excluding taxes. Check-in is at 3pm and check-out is at 12; www.jumeirah.com.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel. It reflects hotel standards during this time, services may change in the future.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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Available: Now
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6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
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The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
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9.25pm: Chiefdom
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Arsenal's pre-season fixtures
Thursday Beat Sydney 2-0 in Sydney
Saturday v Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney
Wednesday v Bayern Munich in Shanghai
July 22 v Chelsea in Beijing
July 29 v Benfica in London
July 30 v Sevilla in London
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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